The AppleMagic keyboard, despite coming in a wireless model, exhibits compatibility with wired operation, too. This keyboard, known for its premium aesthetics and long-lasting battery power, now comes with a USB-C to Lightning cord that helps with charging and wired use.
The sections below explore, in detail, the wireless and wired Magic keyboard and its features. The sections also discuss the connectivity options available for the Magic keyboard and how to make the best of them.
Apple Magic Keyboard
Magic keyboard is one of the most popular and bestselling products from the Apple brand. It is known for the accurate typing experience that it provides. By design, it is a wireless product. You can recharge it. You get a USB-C cable for recharging this keyboard.
The recharging cable, which is a USB-C to the lightning cord, is also helpful in pairing the keyboard to any Apple product. This cord also helps to use the keyboard in wired mode.
The Apple Magic keyboard hasa very long-lasting battery capacity. You can use itforover a month on a single charge.
Magic Keyboard: Features
The significant features of the Apple Magic keyboard are as follows.
1. Excellent Build Quality
- It is made of a combination of materials.
- Some of them are high-quality plastic, aluminum, etc.
2. Ergonomic Design
- The Apple Magic keyboard maintains an ergonomic design.
- But, it does not have any wrist rest.
3. Versatile Wireless Feature
- This keyboard comes with a Bluetooth option.
- It can connect to one device at a time using the Bluetooth.
4. Great Typing Quality
- The keys of this keyboard are placed with a standard space in between.
- The keys exhibit high stability.
- They do not produce any noise while typing.
Magic Keyboard: Pros
The major pros of a wired magic keyboard are as follows.
- It has a Touch ID.
- The battery lasts relatively longer.
- It has a good Bluetooth connectivity.
- It connects to all Apple products quickly.
- It has a lightweight design.
- It features good typing quality.
- It supports quiet typing.
- It has a compact and thin structure.
Magic Keyboard: Cons
Some of the popular cons of the Apple Magic keyboard are mentioned below.
- It’s more expensive than many of its counterparts.
- The Touch ID feature is limited for the M1-based Macs.
- Except for the touch ID, no significant changes.
Is the Magic Keyboard Wired or Wireless?
The Magic Keyboard is both wired and wireless. It features a wireless design, which retains charge for at least a month after a single recharge.
However, the users can choose to use the keyboard wired. It comes with a compatible cord that can be used as a charging and connection cable. You can use this cable to connect to any compatible Apple devices to pair the keyboard with them.
Furthermore, you can also use the connection cable to connect the keyboard to non-Apple devices. Any device that has a compatible lightning port can be paired with the Magic keyboard.
It is true that a wired Magic keyboard is convenient. But it has a significant downside. It uses the same cable for connectivity and recharging. So, the user may be unable to pair the keyboard while it is charging. Thus, you will have to use the wireless feature every once in a while.
What are the Benefits of using a Wired Apple Magic Keyboard?
Using an Apple Magic Keyboard in wired mode offers several advantages:
- Stable Connectivity: A wired connection eliminates the risk of Bluetooth interference or dropouts, offering a stable and reliable connection.
- Instant Pairing: When plugged in via USB, the keyboard instantly pairs with the device, eliminating the need to go through Bluetooth settings for pairing.
- Low Latency: Wired connections usually provide lower latency, which is beneficial for tasks requiring quick response times, like gaming or real-time audio editing.
- Battery Saving: Using the keyboard in wired mode will also charge it simultaneously, so you don’t have to worry about battery life.
- Universal Compatibility: While the Magic Keyboard is optimized for Apple devices, using it in wired mode can make it easier to connect to non-Apple devices that might have limited or no Bluetooth capabilities.
- Reduced Electromagnetic Interference: In environments with multiple wireless devices, using a wired connection can reduce electromagnetic interference.
- Simplifies Troubleshooting: If you experience issues with the keyboard, using it in a wired configuration can help isolate whether the problem is related to the Bluetooth connection.
- No Batteries Required: For the non-rechargeable versions of the Magic Keyboard, using it in wired mode means you don’t have to worry about replacing batteries.
- Workspace Organization: Having a wired setup can sometimes make cable management easier, as you don’t have to find a separate space to charge the device.
- Data Security: For the extremely security-conscious, a wired connection eliminates the small risk of Bluetooth ‘sniffing’ or unauthorized access.
However, it’s worth mentioning that using it in wired mode will negate one of the Magic Keyboard’s main benefits: wireless convenience. For many users, the freedom to move the keyboard around easily is a significant advantage.
How to Connect Apple Keyboard to PC with Bluetooth?
You can connect an Apple keyboard to a PC with Bluetooth by following the steps below.
- The keyboard comes with a USB-C to Lightning cable. You should use the USB-C to connect to a device’s lightning cable or the lightning cable to a USB-C port.
- Turn the device on.
- Connect the USB cable to the device. It starts charging the keyboard’s battery. It also automatically pairs with the device.
- Go to the Menu. Click on the System Settings option (Some devices show it as the System Preferences option).
- From the many options that appear, choose the Bluetooth option. The connected device can be seen in the list of Bluetooth devices.
- You can now click on the device’s name to enable a Bluetooth connection between the keyboard and the device.
- Now, the device is connected to the keyboard via Bluetooth.
- Remove the USB cable. The keyboard is now wireless.
How to Connect an Apple Keyboard to a PC without Bluetooth?
The best way to connect an Apple keyboard to a PC without Bluetooth is with a USB cable.
The steps to connect an Apple keyboard to a PC using a USB cable are as follows.
- Turn on the device and the keyboard.
- Plug the keyboard into the device.You can use the USB cable and port for the plug-in.
- A message appears on the screen regarding the connection.
- Confirm the connection and start using the keyboard normally.
You have to pay enough attention during the removal of the keyboard, too. Especially while removing an Apple keyboard that was connected via a USB cable.
The essential steps to safely remove an Apple keyboard are as follows.
- Turn the device off.
- Remove the power cable from the device.
- Unplug theApple keyboard.
- Now, you have safely removed the Apple keyboard.
You can also use options like hub, splitter, adapter, etc., to connect an Apple keyboard to a PC without Bluetooth. However, it primarily depends on the model of the device and its compatibility with each option.
Conclusion
Connecting a PC to an Apple Magic keyboard is helpful in a variety of situations. If you have a genuine Apple Magic keyboard, you can connect it in multiple ways to a number of devices. You can connect it via Bluetooth to all Apple devices. You can use the compatible lightning hub and cable to connect to many other devices. The provision to use these keyboards, both wired and wireless, can be considered almost an exclusive feature among smart keyboards.
