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Testing Apple's New Standalone Touch ID Keyboard With an M1 Mac
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Apple kills me with their non-standard keyboard layout for these. Why not put the Fn key in the same place as all their laptops....
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.
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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.
Because it's designed to work with the M1 iMac, the Magic Keyboard with Touch ID is also compatible with other M1 Macs, including the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, and Mac mini. On all of these machines, the Touch ID feature is functional.
Design wise, the Magic Keyboard with Touch ID is similar to prior versions of the Magic Keyboard, but next to the F12 key at the top of the accessory, there's a dedicated Touch ID button with a little fingerprint sensor.
This Touch ID button works the same as the Touch ID button built into MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models, authenticating purchases and replacing a password with biometric authentication. It also serves as a sleep/wake button.
As mentioned before, the Magic Keyboard with Touch ID only works with M1 Macs. If you want to use the Touch ID function, it needs to be paired up with one of Apple's latest Macs.
You can use the keyboard with an Intel Mac, but Touch ID is non-functional so it's not worth the cost over a standard keyboard. It's also worth noting that some of the function keys on the new keyboard also don't appear to work well with an Intel Mac. You can remap some of them with Shortcuts, but it's not worth the effort since there's still an option to get a non-Touch ID version of the Magic Keyboard.
With an M1 Mac, the Magic Keyboard with Touch ID works perfectly, and the function keys are operational offering up controls for adjusting brightness, accessing Do Not Disturb, searching, and controlling media playback.
The M1 MacBook Air and M1 MacBook Pro already have built-in Touch ID buttons, but the keyboard may be useful if you plan to use one of these machines in clamshell mode with an attached display. It's most useful for the M1 Mac mini, which does not have a Touch ID button because it does not ship with peripherals.
The Magic Keyboard with Touch ID that comes with the M1 iMac is available in multiple colors, but the standalone versions that Apple offers are limited to silver.
Have you picked up one of the new Touch ID keyboards to use with an M1 Mac? Let us know what you think in the comments.
Article Link: Testing Apple's New Standalone Touch ID Keyboard With an M1 Mac
It took me a few minutes to even find the fn key. Such a strange location on the Globe key.
Yes. https://www.apple.com/us/search/touch-id-keyboard?page=1&sel=accessories&src=globalnav
It will work, but it has Control, Option, and Command keys instead of Control, Alt, and Windows keys. Usually the three keys will correspond to the three other keys in SOME order, but it can be hard to remember which is which.
Frankly, you could get a keyboard with Windows-style keys for much less money.
Has anyone tested out this new keyboard? The 'older' keyboards (and I tried them yesterday at the Apple store here) on both the iMacs and the external keyboards, have a cheap feel and loud key response compared to the keyboards on the MBP and MBA's. I still use my old backlit Logitech keyboard which is quiet. Thanks in advance.
Especially since the iPad also has Face ID. On the other hand, fewer security issues for a computer that does not travel.
Same place as prior version of the extended keyboard. So it’s been that way a while on those.
The nonextended keyboard models do have the Fn key in the usual spot.
I personally prefer to always have a wired keyboard. Suddenly having a dead keyboard is never a good thing. It would also be nice if they allowed third parties like Setechi to add TouchID, but I'm sure Apple will claim something to do with security issues by allowing third parties to do this.
Also, "space gray" looks much better and doesn't show the dirt after a week of use.
Also, "space gray" looks much better and doesn't show the dirt after a week of use.
So keep the cable it comes with plugged in to the computer or a power brick….
Though in my experience with the 2nd gen Magic Keyboard you get plenty of notice that it’s time to charge it. It’s not like it just dies while you’re using it.
Mine has a password, but also TouchID to unlock. I didn't know people still left their devices without a password in 2021!
I respectfully disagree and think that only the Mini should have Face ID and every other Mac shouldn't. Security is about doing the unexpected
Yes, but I find that the double tap on watch option is somewhat flimsy or I don’t understand it fully:
- Unlocking the computer is great, it works (except if anything is using an external display via screen permissions like Duet/Luna Display or DisplayLink dongles).
- Unlocking settings that are locked via the lock pad (i.e folder permission changes, privacy/location/etc changes in the settings app) do work 99% of the time for me. Sometimes it asks to t
- Creating a new folder in a higher security part (like ~/Applications folder) sometimes asks for the double tap on watch, sometimes for the macOS account password
- Mostly anything else (keychain auto fill, buy, etc) just asks for the user’s account password.
^^^ This. Sitting here in the dark (because it's midnight) and can't handle not having a backlit keyboard.
How long did the Gaeteron take you to get used to? I tried Gaeteron brown for 3 weeks and hated it. Not enough forgiveness in the edges. I have been using Drop ALT with MX Browns, but recently ordered some MX Clears when Amazon had their 20% off warehouse sale. I haven't installed them yet because I am worried they will be too heavy.
I had been using the Logitec MX Keys, and after they swapped the older black for the newer gunmetal I still really like it. But I am 7 WPM faster on the Cherry Reds, and 9 WPM faster on the browns. I also find I can write for longer with the mechanical keyboards before I start to get frequent errors. I haven't tested it, but my theory is that the browns tactile bump makes me release the key earlier and so I don't get the abuse associated with frequently bottoming out.
