First Look at Apple’s $179 Touch ID Magic Keyboard

In April, Apple debuted the new M1 iMac models with a dedicated Touch ID keyboard, marking the first time that ‌Touch ID‌ was available on a standalone keyboard option. At launch, the Magic Keyboard with ‌Touch ID‌ was only available with the iMac, but last week, Apple made it available to purchase separately from the ‌iMac‌.

For our latest YouTube video, we picked up one of the new ‌Touch ID‌ keyboard models and tested it out with a couple Macs to see just how it works. There are three variants of the keyboard - a standard version without ‌Touch ID‌ for $99, a standard keyboard with ‌Touch ID‌ for $149, and a ‌Touch ID‌ keyboard that also has a numeric keypad, which is priced at $179. We tested the $179 full-size version with numpad.

[macrumors]

To clarify - the older generation keyboard also came in white. They did briefly sell a space gray version and those black keys feel a bit different compared to white

[EricChamplin]

"KEY differences" hahahaha nice.

[jsn]

I wish they would implement a backlit keyboard version of these keyboards. I don’t know why they don’t, especially for the price.

[pateljigarr]

Does it have keyboard light 💡. None of the video mentioned that .

[DrAnimePhD]

$150-180 for touch ID. Are they high?!

[ASmith-hbed]

Your video was soooo super helpful! Thank you!!

[unkokrispy]

I used to pay 💰 for Apple’s keyboards but after switching to the MX Keys I enjoy the switching, the feel of the keys.. and the savings!

[lewchenko]

I personally prefer Logitech’s MX keys. Better feel, auto backlighting and much cheaper. But no Touch ID sadly. I do find Touch ID useful on the MBP though.

[jinlim]

is this same touch and felling with Macbook M1 built-in keyboard?

[banyu]

Nice info here, also did the touch ID work on ipad m1?

[JonathanBarrow]

I love my logitech mx keys but if apple made this keyboard in space grey and added backside illuminated keys, id move over for the touch ID.

or if logitech added touch id to the MX keys

[QuGhZx]

Are there third-party alternatives that offer touch id?

[soldierboy]

Hello and thanks for this information! I just brought the new 24” inch for 2021 IMac and I didn’t know how to get a better keyboard while buying but I really want the numeric keyboard with Touch ID. I might not get it because it won’t be the color of the computer so is there anything I can do about this?

[needleontherecord]

Just get a satechi they do backlit but no security

[GMX]

I’d have it if the Touch ID works with the M1 iPad.

[johnwade]

Would one of these work I on an M! IPAD Pro??

[thaimaishua]

for 179, i expect it to type my reports for me, LOL

[officiallytrav]

I want it, but there's nothing wrong with my existing white full-sized keyboard so I guess I will pass. Having the globe and TouchID would be sweet though. Not $179 sweet.

[oliverkakos]

I have a Intel iMac Will the $99 dollar lock keyboard work for my late 2015 iMac 27 5K

[DronieUp]

Why does Touch ID only work with a M1 Mac?