If you just bought a shiny new Mac, congratulations—you’re now in the Apple ecosystem, where everything is sleek, minimal, and costs a little more than it probably should. And if you’re like most people, Apple is gently nudging you toward the Magic Keyboard and Magic Mouse. They match. They connect effortlessly. They look like they came from the future. But here’s the big question: are they actually the best tools for the job, or just the prettiest?
Let’s talk about it.
The Magic Keyboard is Apple’s take on modern typing. It’s slim, quiet, and made of aluminum, which is basically Apple’s way of saying, “this is premium.” It feels good, but not amazing. Typing is soft and flat—almost too flat for some. It’s great for casual use or writing short emails, but if you’re hammering out documents or coding all day, your fingers might be craving more feedback. It also charges via Lightning cable, which is kind of hilarious at this point. USB-C is right there, Apple.
Then there’s the Magic Mouse—Apple’s most controversial accessory since the butterfly keyboard. Sure, it looks beautiful. It’s smooth and minimal and does those slick multitouch gestures like swiping between desktops and smooth scrolling. But if you’ve ever used one for more than a few hours, you know the truth: it’s not exactly comfortable. It’s flat. Too flat. It feels like Apple designed it with a ruler instead of a hand.
And yes, the charging port is still on the bottom, which means when it dies, it becomes a tiny silver paperweight until it’s done sipping juice. Beautiful design, questionable execution.
So what’s the alternative?
A lot of people are switching to third-party accessories—especially those who care about comfort or type for a living. Logitech’s MX Keys and MX Master series are the go-to picks for a reason. They’re more ergonomic, customizable, and they just feel better. Keychron’s mechanical keyboards are another favorite, especially among people who love the clack of real switches. They’re wireless, Mac-compatible, and look good without trying too hard.
If you love Apple’s gesture support but hate the Magic Mouse, the Magic Trackpad is surprisingly underrated. It gives you all the swipes, pinches, and taps in a more natural, wrist-friendly format. It’s like the Magic Mouse finally learned how to relax.
Bottom line? The Magic Keyboard and Mouse aren’t bad. They’re solid. But they’re also designed for looks and simplicity more than comfort or long sessions of productivity. If that’s your vibe, go for it. But if you’re serious about typing, editing, designing, or just want your wrists to stop yelling at you, there are better tools out there—and they don’t have to ruin the Apple aesthetic.
Your Mac deserves more than just a pretty face. So do your hands.



