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Magic Keyboard - page 2

Hall effect magnetic keyboards: The next big thing for Mac gamers?

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NuPhy Field75 HE Keyboard
The NuPhy Field75 HE Keyboard packs Hall effect magnetic switches under those key caps.
Photo: NuPhy

As a Mac user, you’re no stranger to cutting-edge technology, like the hottest new mechanical keyboards. But have you heard about Hall effect keyboards, which are gaining popularity, especially among gamers? Let’s dive into why people turn to these specialized magnetic mechanical keyboards and what they could mean for your Mac gaming setup. They’re not actually new, but more of them have hit the market lately. And a lot of people think they offer big advantages.

More affordable iPad Magic Keyboard is in development

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Apple Magic Keyboard for M4 iPad Pro
The budget iPad might get a version of the brilliant iPad Magic Keyboard.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

iPad users can look forward to a less expensive version of Apple’s Magic Keyboard, according to information leaking out of Apple. The goal is apparently a variant more appealing to buyers of entry-level tablets.

Expect a launch in 2025.

M3 MacBook Air anchors tidy workstation [Setups]

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M3 MacBook Air setup
M3 MacBook Air is more than enough machine for this user's setup.
Photo: [email protected]

For anyone who thinks of the world’s most popular laptop — MacBook Air — as Apple’s lightweight laptop in more ways than one, like it’s strictly for students and amateurs, it’s probably time to update your view. Today’s attractive working setup from Germany finds its slim-but-powerful M3 MacBook Air provides plenty of computing power.

Add some class with a cool keyboard-and-trackpad tray [Setups]

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Twelve South MagicBridge and other keyboard and trackpad trays
This keyboard and trackpad tray comes from Etsy. Another example would be the Twelve South MagicBridge.
Photo: [email protected]

Many folks building a computer setup love a good trick for compartmentalizing a bit — essentially, any way they can neaten up the space in a way that enhances productivity. That could include something we don’t see often enough in setups: multi-use keyboard trays. Today’s Mac Studio user proudly displays a wooden one for Magic Keyboard mini and Magic Trackpad 2. And you can find many others out there, like the popular Twelve South MagicBridge.

Trays like that give your keyboard and trackpad — or/or mouse, in some cases — one modular place to live, and you can easily move the pair or trio around as one unit or hold it in your lap.

Want to try a mechanical keyboard? Don’t miss these deals.

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mechanical keyboard deals -- Keychron's tenkyeless Q3 follows the popular Q1 and Q2 custom keebs.
Keychron's customizable, tenkyeless Q3 followed release of the popular Q1 and Q2 custom keebs.
Photo: Keychron

Amazon bargain site Woot! celebrates summer with a big blowout sale on an unusual item — mechanical keyboards. The site offers up to 61% off an array of Keychron mechanical keebs, plus a couple of other can’t-miss mechanical keyboard deals.

A dozen keebs are on sale. Most items are discounted to at least half off regular prices. The sale runs through Friday, July 12, at 10 p.m. Pacific.

How to find the iPad Magic Keyboard’s hidden backlight

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How to find the iPad Magic Keyboard's hidden backlight
The control for the iPad Magic Keyboard's backlight isn't where you might think it is.
Image: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Some people complain that the Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad lacks a backlight for the keys. Turns out the accessory really has one but the controls aren’t where you might expect.

Here’s how to find the control for the Magic Keyboard in the Control Center. And how to adjust the backlight, too.

Top audio interface shapes MacBook Pro rig’s sound [Setups]

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top audio interface
This shot from Universal Audio shows the Apollo Twin Duo audio interface in action.
Photo: Universal Audio

If you want great sound out of your computer setup, you need excellent speakers, of course. But if you work with music rather than just listening to it, you also need a top audio interface for Mac to run between your computer and other gear. Today’s MacBook Pro setup incorporates one of our top picks in a recent roundup of best audio interfaces for Mac and pairs it with a nice set of Yamaha speakers.

Crystal-clear mechanical keyboard wins style points [Setups]

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Yunzii X75 mechanical keyboard
In this shot from Yunzii, the X75 Mechanical Keyboard features clear key caps and clear switches with RGB lighting.
Photo: Yunzii

Ever since computers like iMac G3 pulled off the trick, transparent computer gear has come in and out of style. And now transparent keyboards are having a bit of a moment. One good example is the Yunzii X75 Mechanical Keyboard seen in today’s MacBook Pro setup.

Love it or hate it, this is a great way to store gear [Setups]

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pegboard for setup storage
With the right accessories, you can store pretty much anything on a pegboard (shown at left of setup).
Photo: [email protected]

While many computer setups shown off on social media look suspiciously immaculate, the truth is we tend to live at our desks and make a big mess of them routinely. Stuff just piles up. But a great way to keep your workstation clean and organized is to deploy one of the best fixes — a pegboard for setup storage.

With pegboards, you can put practically anything right on your wall, like today’s MacBook Pro user does. We’ve seen some pretty strong negative reactions to them, but there’s no denying their effectiveness.

Keychron brings new ultra-slim keyboard options for Mac users

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Keychron ultra-slim keyboards -- B6 Pro
This full-sized wireless keyboard goes for $45.
Photo: Keychron

For years Keychron made its bones on good mechanical keyboards. Now it’s jumping into the scissor-switch game with a pair of Keychron ultra-slim keyboards that are direct Magic Keyboard competitors.

They looks the part, include solid features and beat Apple on price by a mile.

A setup so clean it looks AI-generated [Setups]

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Dough gaming display setup
A user joked that this setup is so clean it looks like artificial intelligence generated the image.
Photo: [email protected]

When one commenter saw today’s Mac Studio workstation, they said “Setup so clean it looks AI generated. I like it.” Well, we also like the Mac Studio and custom PC setup, especially for its innovative use of a portable display alongside its main external display, which is a killer gaming monitor we’ve never seen before.

How to sell your old Apple Pencil or Magic Keyboard

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Sell Apple Pencil 2 or Magic Keyboard through Cult of Mac buyback program.
Apple won't buy back your old Apple Pencil, but we will.
Photo: Ian Fuchs/Cult of Mac

With Apple’s release of new iPads, an updated Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro and the brand-new Apple Pencil Pro, many people are looking to upgrade all three. (Because of course all your old iPad accessories won’t work with the new tablets.) However, apart from going the DIY route on eBay or Facebook Marketplace, it can be difficult to find a trade-in site where you can sell an old Apple Pencil or Magic Keyboard.

Even Apple’s own trade-in program won’t buy back these iPad accessories. However, there are several other options for selling a used Apple Pencil or Magic Keyboard — and we’re here to help!

This microphone boom arm is ‘in a class of its own’ [Setups]

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Logitech G Compass microphone boom arm
If you need a reliable boom arm to swing your mic around, look no further.
Photo: [email protected]

If you use your computer setup for podcasting, streaming, gaming or just a whole bunch of video calls, you may have a microphone in your face a lot. It’s great to easily move it out of the way when you’re not speaking into it, of course. And for that you need a reliable boom arm. Today’s M1 Max MacBook Pro user swears by his Logitech G Compass microphone boom arm.

Confirmed: Redesign makes M4 iPad Pro incompatible with older cases, keyboards, styli

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M4 iPad Pro with older Apple Magic Keyboard
M4 iPad Pro absolutely does not work with previous Apple Magic Keyboard.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

A change in the location of magnets built into the M4 iPad Pro breaks compatibility with a wide array of accessories designed for earlier models. That includes many folio cases, clip-on keyboards, and styli. Many of Apple’s own previous offerings are on the incompatible list, too.

Apple had already warned of this, but Wednesday’s launch of the tablet allows real-world tests to confirm the full extent of the affect.

Watch Apple’s ‘Let Loose’ event in just 90 seconds

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90 Seconds.
Watch the event in just 3.95% of the time.
Photo: Apple

Apple Let Loose Event:Today’s “Let Loose” Apple event overhauled the iPad lineup. Apple unleashed a new iPad Pro and iPad Air, the refreshed Apple Pencil Pro, a sleek new Magic Keyboard, and lowered the price of the regular iPad. The iPad mini was acknowledged, too.

If you don’t have time to sit through the 38-minute presentation, here it is in just 90 seconds.

Why every Apple fan should get excited about ‘Let Loose’ event [Updated]

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Why every Apple fan should get excited about ‘Let Loose’ event
Apple's product launch event might be about more than iPad.
Image: Apple/Cult of Mac

Gorgeous new iPad Pro and iPad Air models are expected to be the highlights of Apple’s “Let Loose” product event on May 7. Tablet accessories are on the agenda, too.

But there also could be big news for those who don’t use an iPad. Apple might surprise us with the M4 processor, a first glimpse at upcoming AI features, and maybe even a Mac Studio upgrade. Plus more.

Bag bargains on iMacs and Apple accessories while they last

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sale on iMacs and Apple accessories
A couple of 2021 iMacs are in the mix of sale items.
Photo: Apple

Two concurrent Apple sales at Amazon bargain site Woot! run for the next week or so — one on iMacs and Accessories and one for a selection of Apple Accessories. It’s a good chance to stock up on big and small stuff alike.

“An Apple a Day… is really expensive!” the site quips. Both sales run through May 1 at 10 p.m. PT.

M3 MacBook Pro serves as charming rig’s third display [Setups]

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M3 MacBook Pro setup
The space black M3 MacBook Pro sits open on a stand rather than in clamshell mode.
Photo: [email protected]

A medical school student’s charming dual-display setup adds an M3 MacBook Pro as a third display by keeping it open on a stand. And the three displays form a pleasingly staggered formation, with one in portrait on the left, one in landscape at center and then the laptop’s screen.

Powerful speakers flank smart TV display [Setups]

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IK Multimedia iLoud MTM speakers
You can also stand them up vertically, as shown here.
Photo: IK Multimedia

High-quality speakers in MacBooks and Studio Displays and the like are all well and good. But if you want great sound in your computer setup, you’re better off with studio monitor speakers like those in today’s MacBook Pro setup. They’re IK Multimedia iLoud MTM speakers.

The powered pair of studio monitor speakers pump out 100 watts of sound apiece. And right now they’re 25% off at $300 each. Find them in the gear list below if you want to level up your setup’s sound.

Can you handle a display this massive? [Setups]

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Big OLED smart TV display setup with MacBook Pro
When it comes to OLED smart TVs as computer displays, how big is too big?
Photo: [email protected]

Is bigger always better? Nope. And the debate rages on over how big an OLED smart TV display should be to best-suit a computer setup. Would you go large at over 50 inches, or stick to, say, 42 inches or smaller?

Today’s MacBook Pro setup raised the issue again, surfacing some sensible advice. And the smart TV in question is on sale!

Classic Macintosh SE stands with new Studio Display [Setups]

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MacBook Pro and Studio display setup with classic Macintosh SE
A classic Macintosh SE sits off to the right of the M1 MacBook Pro and Studio Display setup, and it actually gets some use.
Photo: [email protected]

Pimping out a computer setup with vintage gear is super-cool, even if the old stuff doesn’t get much use (or is solely for display purposes). Today’s M1 MacBook Pro setup recently added a new Studio Display, and both of those modern machines bask in the glory of a nearby classic Macintosh SE from the 1980s.

The ancient all-in-one computer still works and it even gets some use.

Slash $120 off Magic Keyboard case for 11-inch iPad Pro/iPad Air

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Magic Keyboard for 11-inch iPad Pro and iPad Air
Grab this steep discount on Magic Keyboard for 11-inch iPad Pro and 10.9-inch iPad Air.
Photo: Apple

Apple is famous for quality products as well as the high prices that go with them. That’s true of its input devices like keyboards — including the excellent, $299 Magic Keyboard for 11-inch iPad Pro and 10.9-inch iPad Air (4th and 5th generations). But what if you could get that Magic Keyboard for $120 off?

Right now Amazon is offering Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro/Air — which offers case-like protection for the tablets and much more — for just $179.99

No Apple March event for new iPad and MacBook [Update]

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Get ready for new MacBook and iPad models at Apple March 2024 event
No March Apple event in the pipeline for new iPads and Macs?
Graphic: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple is preparing to launch new M3 iPads and MacBooks this month. But don’t expect an Apple March event for their unveiling. Instead, the company reportedly will announce the devices through a “series of online videos and marketing campaigns.” For more insights on what’s coming, check out the latest apple rumors 2024.

Update: This is now confirmed, as Apple unveiled the M3-powered MacBook Air on Monday via a press release.

M3 MacBook Pro supercharges trader’s rig [Setups]

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M3 MacBook Pro setup
The 14-inch M3 MacBook Pro with 36GB of unified memory handles powerful software.
Photo: [email protected]

What kind of performance boost do you get when you go from an M1 MacBook Air to an M3 Pro MacBook Pro? A pretty big one, if today’s MacBook Pro setup from an investor is any indication. They made sure to purchase a model with plenty of unified memory — 36GB — to ensure no number of open tabs would slow them down too much.