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  1. Home
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Microsoft Surface Keyboard vs Apple Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad

Which Keyboard Is Better?

    Top
    Main Differences
    Design
      DimensionsBuild QualityErgonomicsHardware CustomizabilityBacklight FeaturesBacklight ClarityCable & ConnectorWireless VersatilityMacro Keys And ProgrammingExtra FeaturesIn The Box
    Typing Experience
      Typing QualityTyping NoiseKeystrokesAdjustable Input GranularityLatencySwitches
    Performance
      Single-Key LatencyMulti-Key LatencyData TransmissionChord Split
    Software and Operating System
      Configuration SoftwareComputer CompatibilityWireless Mobile Compatibility
    Comments

Products

Microsoft Surface Keyboard
Apple Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad

Tested using Methodology v1.2

Updated Jun 21, 2023 04:42 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v1.4.3

Updated Jan 14, 2026 05:54 PM

SEE PRICE
Apple.com
Microsoft Surface Keyboard Picture
Apple Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad Picture
ConnectivityWireless
Size
Full-size (100%)
Switch Type
Scissor
Hot-Swappable Switches
No
ConnectivityWireless
Size
Full-size (100%)
Switch Type
Scissor
Output Type
Non-Adjustable
Hot-Swappable Switches
No
  1. Recommended in 1 article:
  2. Mac

Our Verdict

Microsoft Surface Keyboard

Apple Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad

The Microsoft Surface Keyboard and the Apple Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad are both very good office keyboards with different purposes. The Microsoft is designed to work with Windows computers while the Apple is meant for Mac computers, specifically those with M1 chips. However, they both connect to any device via Bluetooth so you can use either with any operating system, but some keys don't work. The Apple has a rechargeable battery and the Microsoft uses disposable batteries. Other than that, they're very similar because they have great typing quality and decent ergonomics, but they each lack backlighting and customization features.

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Variants

  • Surface Keyboard (Gray)
  • Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad (Silver)
  • Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad (Silver W/ Black Keys)

Review

See Microsoft Surface Keyboard Review
See Apple Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad Review
0 
5 

Check Price

Gray
Surface Keyboard
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Silver
Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad
SEE PRICE
Apple.com
Gray
Surface Keyboard
SEE PRICE
B&H
Silver W/ Black Keys
Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad
SEE PRICE
Apple.com
Gray
Surface Keyboard
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
 
Gray
Surface Keyboard
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
 
Gray
Surface Keyboard
SEARCH
Microsoft
 
Read more

Main Differences for
Gaming

Threshold 

0.10

Gaming 
 

6.7
5.2

Pre-Travel 
 

1.5 mm
0.9 mm

Latency 
 

6.4
7.4

Full Comparison

Design

Dimensions 
 

Top Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
Microsoft Surface Keyboard Top Picture
Compare High-Res
Apple Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad Top Picture

Size 
 

Full-size (100%)
Full-size (100%)

Height 
 

0.7" (1.8 cm)
0.4" (1.1 cm)

Width  

16.5" (42.0 cm)
16.5" (41.8 cm)

Depth 
 

4.4" (11.2 cm)
4.5" (11.5 cm)

Depth With Wrist Rest 
 

N/A
N/A

Weight 
 

0.88 lbs (0.400 kg)
0.80 lbs (0.364 kg)
Show Text 

Build Quality 
 

8.5
8.5

Build Quality Close Up 
 

Compare High-Res
Microsoft Surface Keyboard Build Quality Close Up
Compare High-Res
Apple Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad Build Quality Close Up

Keycap Material  

ABS
ABS
Show Text 

Ergonomics 
 

7.0
7.0

Side Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
Microsoft Surface Keyboard Side Picture
Compare High-Res
Apple Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad Side Picture

Curved/Angled 
 

No
No

Split Keyboard 
 

No
No

Key Alignment 
 

Staggered
Staggered

Minimum Incline 
 

5°
2.8°

Medium Incline 
 

N/A
N/A

Maximum Incline 
 

N/A
N/A

Home Row Height 
 

13.7 mm (0.5")
7.3 mm (0.3")
Show Text 

Hardware Customizability 
 

0.0
0.0

Customizability Overview 
 

Compare High-Res
Microsoft Surface Keyboard Customizability Overview
Compare High-Res
Apple Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad Customizability Overview

Replaceable Cherry Stabilizers 
 

No
No

Stabilizer Fixation 
 

Non-Customizable Design
Non-Customizable Design

Spacebar Stabilizer Size 
 

Non-Customizable Design
Non-Customizable Design

Size Of Right Mod Keys 
 

Non-Standard
Non-Standard

Hot-Swappable Switches 
 

No
No

Switch Stem Shape 
 

Non-Customizable Design
Non-Customizable Design

Mechanical Switch Compatibility 
 

Non-Customizable Design
No Mechanical Switch Pinout

Magnetic Switch Compatibility 
 

No Magnetic Switch Support

North-Facing Cherry MX Interference 
 

Non-Customizable Design
Non-Customizable Design

Backlight Features 
 

0.0
0.0

Backlighting Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
Microsoft Surface Keyboard Backlighting Picture
Compare High-Res
Apple Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad Backlighting Picture

Brightness Max 
 

Compare High-Res
Microsoft Surface Keyboard Brightness Max
Compare High-Res
Apple Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad Brightness Max

Backlighting  

No
No

Brightness Min 
 

Compare High-Res
Microsoft Surface Keyboard Brightness Min
Compare High-Res
Apple Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad Brightness Min

RGB 
 

No
No

Per-Key Backlighting 
 

No
No

Effects 
 

No
No

Software Controllable 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Backlight Clarity 
 

0.0
0.0

White Shot 
 

Compare High-Res
Microsoft Surface Keyboard White Shot
Compare High-Res
Apple Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad White Shot

Cable & Connector  

Connectivity  

Wireless
Wireless

Detachable 
 

No
Yes (Wired Mode and Charge)

Length  

N/A
3.4 ft (1.0 m)

Connector (Keyboard side) 
 

No Cable
Lightning
Show Text 

Wireless Versatility 
 

7.3
7.5

Bluetooth 
 

Yes
Yes

Bluetooth Multi-Device Pairing 
 

No
No

Proprietary Receiver 
 

No
No

Battery Type 
 

2x AAA
Rechargeable
Show Text 

Macro Keys And Programming 
 

0.0
0.0

Dedicated Macro Keys Count  

0
0

Onboard Macro Programming 
 

No
No

Macro Programming With Software 
 

No
No

Extra Features 
 

Extra Features 
 

Compare High-Res
Microsoft Surface Keyboard Extra Features
Compare High-Res
Apple Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad Extra Features

Media Keys 
 

Non-Dedicated
Non-Dedicated

Trackpad / Trackball  

No
No

Scroll Wheel 
 

No
No

Control Knob 
 

No
No

USB Passthrough 
 

No
No

Numpad  

Yes
Yes

Windows Key Lock 
 

No
No

Lock Indicator  

Caps, Scroll & Num lock
Caps Lock
Show Text 

In The Box  

Bundle Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
Microsoft Surface Keyboard Bundle Picture
Compare High-Res
Apple Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad Bundle Picture
Show Text 
Typing Experience

Typing Quality 
 

8.0
8.0

Key Spacing 
 

19.0 mm (0.748")
Show Text 

Typing Noise 
 

9.7
9.8

Typing Sample  

Average Loudness 
 

38.7 dBA
37.8 dBA

High Pitch Clicks 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Keystrokes 
 

Key Switch Actuation Graph  

 Preview Graph
Microsoft Surface Keyboard Key Switch Actuation Graph
 Preview Graph
Apple Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad Key Switch Actuation Graph
 Compare in Graph Tool

Initial Force 
 

N/A

Peak Tactile Force 
 

63 gf
63 gf

Actuation Force 
 

39 gf
32 gf

Bottom-Out Force 
 

52 gf

Pre-Travel Distance 
 

1.5 mm
0.9 mm

Total Travel Distance 
 

2.2 mm
1.0 mm
Show Text 

Adjustable Input Granularity 
 

0.0

Input Linearity Graph  

Apple Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad Input Linearity Graph

Analog Output Graph  

Apple Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad Analog Output Graph

Top Deadzone 
 

N/A

Bottom Deadzone 
 

N/A

Detection Ratio 
 

N/A

Minimum Step Depth 
 

N/A

Latency 
 

6.4
7.4

Latency Video  

Latency Wired 
 

N/A
17.4 ms

Latency Receiver 
 

N/A
N/A

Latency Bluetooth 
 

25.9 ms
38.4 ms
Show Text 

Switches 
 

Wobble Video  

Switch Name 
 

No Marketed Name
No Marketed Name

Switch Type 
 

Scissor
Scissor

Feel 
 

Tactile
Tactile

Output Type 
 

Non-Adjustable
Performance

Single-Key Latency 
 

6.4
7.4

Single-Key Latency Graph  

 Preview Graph
Apple Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad Single-Key Latency Graph

Best Connection 
 

17.4 ms

Best Connection Std Dev  

±2.3 ms

Wired 
 

N/A
17.4 ms

Receiver 
 

N/A
N/A

Bluetooth 
 

25.9 ms
38.4 ms

PCB (Estimated) 
 

38.0 ms
Show Text 

Multi-Key Latency 
 

3.9

Multi-Key Latency Graph  

 Preview Graph
Apple Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad Multi-Key Latency Graph

Connection Evaluated  

Bluetooth

Key Press 
 

46.3 ms
Show Text 

Data Transmission 
 

3.0

Multi-Key Raw USB  

Apple Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad Multi-Key Raw USB

Connection Evaluated  

Bluetooth

USB Polling Rate 
 

N/A

Effective Update Rate 
 

67 Hz

N-Key Rollover (NKRO) 
 

No

Multiple Keys Per USB Report 
 

Yes
Show Text 

Chord Split 
 

3.3

Chord Split Graph  

 Preview Graph
Apple Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad Chord Split Graph

4 Chord Split Delay 
 

30.0 ms

8 Chord Split Delay 
 

N/A
Show Text 
Software and Operating System

Configuration Software 
 

Software Tour  

Software Name  

No Software
No Software

Software Windows Compatible 
 

No
No

Software macOS Compatible 
 

No
No

Onboard Memory 
 

No
No

Profiles 
 

No Profile
No Profile
Show Text 

Computer Compatibility 
 

10
8.6

Windows 
 

Fully Compatible
Partially Compatible

macOS 
 

Fully Compatible
Fully Compatible

Linux 
 

Fully Compatible
Fully Compatible

Media Key Compatibility 
 

Windows, MacOS & Linux
MacOS & Linux
Show Text 

Wireless Mobile Compatibility 
 

10
9.2

Android 
 

Fully Compatible
Partially Compatible

iOS 
 

Fully Compatible
Fully Compatible

iPadOS 
 

Fully Compatible
Fully Compatible

Media Key Compatibility 
 

Android, iPhone & iPad
iPhone & iPad
Show Text 

Check Price

Gray
Surface Keyboard
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Silver
Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad
SEE PRICE
Apple.com
Gray
Surface Keyboard
SEE PRICE
B&H
Silver W/ Black Keys
Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad
SEE PRICE
Apple.com
Gray
Surface Keyboard
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
 
Gray
Surface Keyboard
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
 
Gray
Surface Keyboard
SEARCH
Microsoft
 
Back to Top

Microsoft Surface Keyboard

Apple Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad

Comments

  1. Comparison
 • Posted 1 year ago

Microsoft Surface Keyboard vs Apple Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad: Main Discussion

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