Many current Mac keyboards are not mechanical – pushing a key pushes two membranes together, which sends an electrical current to your Mac to tell it to produce a letter. Mechanical keyboards have physical switches, which make them louder, and ensure you really know when you've pressed a key. A lot of folks are going back to mechanical keyboards since the "mushy" keyboards of today aren't responsive enough. If you miss the clickety-clackety keyboards of yore, then check these out!
Das Keyboard 4 Professional
With volume control
Das Keyboard 4 Professional gives you a choice between Cherry MX Brown or Blue, depending on how loud you like your keyboard, and it even has dedicated media controls, including an oversized volume knob, as well as a number pad. Two USB 3.0 ports make it perfect for the ultra-productive folks.
WASD CODE 87-key keyboard
White backlighting with brightness control
If you have a dimly lit workspace or find yourself regularly typing in the dark, then this is the keyboard for you. It features a bright white LED backlighting with seven brightness levels, and the DIP switch makes it easy to switch on Mac mode.
Matias Quiet Pro
A Mac exclusive
This keyboard, which is specially made for Mac, has very quiet keys, so it delivers all of the comforts of a mechanical keyboard with much less clickety-clack. The Matias Quiet Pro also features a full number pad, as well as fold-out legs to raise it if you prefer it that way.
Logitech G710+
Dual-zone backlighting
Logitech's G710+ has a vast feature set for its price. You've got high-speed keys with great feedback, dual-zone backlighting, which means you can adjust the brightness of the WASD on their own — perfect if you do any gaming on your Mac. You can even configure six buttons for 18 different gaming functions, including single key presses.
Azio Artisan Bluetooth keyboard
Now that's cool
If you're into steampunk or just like your peripherals to have an aesthetic that pops and looks different from what everyone else has, then Azio's copper-colored Artisan keyboard is where it's at. It features a genuine leather top plate, a zinc-aluminum frame, round keys, and a number pad. This is a conversation piece, but it's fully functional and quite well-reviewed.
A better typing experience
The dissatisfying keyboards that come with Macs aren't enough for some people. If you like real key feedback and that satisfying clicking sound, pick up a mechanical keyboard.
Cherry MX switches —the ones available on the Das Keyboard 4 Professional — will feel the best and last the longest. Plus, the Das Keyboard 4 Professional comes formatted for Mac right out of the box with all the appropriate keys, features media controls, and a full number pad.
If gaming is the main reason you want a mechanical keyboard, the Logitech G710+ is a reliable option. With a ton of customization for programming hotkeys and separate lightning for the WASD keys, any gamer can set this keyboard up perfectly for their preferred games.
