Satechi Slim X3 Bluetooth Backlit Keyboard with Numeric Keypad – Illuminated Keys & Multi-Device Sync – for M2/ M1 MacBook Pro/Air, M2/ M1 iPad Pro/Air, M2 Mac Mini, iMac M1 (Space Gray)

It’s been a month when I use this keyboard it feels premium and similar to Apple Keyboard but cheaper price. What I loved about it was the long lasting battery and can use up to 4 devices.

I bought this to support a new MAC Mini4. It's bluetooth connectivity with the computer is immediate and lasting. The keyboard feels exactly like an Apple brand keyboard. It is a pleasure to use. The keyboard comes with rubber feet you can stick to the bottom so you can elevate the front edge if desired. There's no reason to purchase an Apple keyboard in my opinion. I would purchase this again.

This is a first-impressions review of the Satechi Slim X3 Bluetooth Backlit Keyboard.I have used every single Apple keyboard design since the original Macintosh in 1984. While some designs were pretty good and others more forgettable, Apple’s (wired) aluminum keyboard (shown in one of my photos) introduced in 2007, with its low height, thin profile, flat plane, square keys, gentle front-to-back slope, and minimal footprint has always been my favorite. Its design was a radical departure from the traditional dome-switch keys (tall, concave keys with a lot of travel) included in wired desktop keyboards of the era. Apple essentially took the chiclet-style keys found on MacBooks of the era, surrounded them with a flat plane of aluminum, and included it as a wired keyboard (including the arrow keys section and the numeric keypad) with desktop Macs. As a touch typist, I was reluctant at first to try the aluminum keyboard … but after 10 minutes of using one, I was immediately hooked, and it became my favorite Apple keyboard design. Burned by the lousy feel of the butterfly key mechanisms introduced in on the 2015 MacBook and 2016 MacBook Pros, I wasn’t willing to try the wireless Magic Keyboard with Numeric Keypad that replaced the wired keyboard in 2017 for desktop Macs — so I held onto Apple’s older wired aluminum keyboards for use with the several Macs that I use at home and work.In early 2021, when Satechi announced the new Slim X3 backlit keyboard (in both wired and wireless versions) with a design that appeared very similar to what I’ve considered Apple’s best wired keyboard — low height, thin profile, flat plane, square keys, gentle front-to-back slope, and minimal footprint, plus the bonus of backlighting — I was willing to give it a try. My early impressions of the tactile feel of the keyboard are very positive; to my fingers, the Satechi Slim X3 feels very comparable to Apple’s wired aluminum keyboard. Surprisingly, as you’ll see in a photo, keys in the main “qwerty” portion of the keyboard are just a tiny bit (perhaps only a couple of millimeters) wider than Apple’s, but the difference is so small that you won’t notice. Overall, the keyboard is actually narrower than Apple’s; Satechi has less separation between the “qwerty,” arrow keys, and numeric keypad portions of the keyboard.The front row of the Slim X3 is at roughly the same height as Apple’s front row. The back row of the Slim X3 is lower in height than Apple’s, but Satechi includes a pair of optional feet; if attached, the back row of the Slim X3 will be higher than Apple’s wired keyboard.The backlighting is a nice feature, and one not available at this writing in Apple’s Magic Keyboard with Numeric Keypad for Macs (as distinct from the Magic Keyboard for iPad or the Magic Keyboard built into MacBooks, which do have backlighting). The backlighting in Satechi’s Slim X3 is almost too effective in that the light leaks from the front and side edges of the keycaps, especially in the row of function keys when viewed from a normal typing angle. (Backlighting on my 2018 MacBook Air and on my Magic Keyboard for iPad both seem to be more contained.) But if Satechi’s keycap design is perhaps less refined than Apple’s in terms of backlighting, it doesn’t bother me — and, of course, the backlighting can be dialed down or turned off.Even though I’m a fan of wired keyboards for use with desktop Macs, I chose the Bluetooth version of the Slim X3 because the wired version has a USB-C connection and I will be using the Slim X3 for the time being with an older iMac that has only USB-A jacks. But I can confirm that pairing the Slim X3 via Bluetooth with a 2012-model iMac was flawless. Because the Slim X3 Bluetooth Backlit Keyboard can also be simultaneously paired with as many as four computers, I also paired it with a 2016 MacBook Pro. Switching between computers, using the function-row Bluetooth 1, 2, 3, and 4 keys at the top of the numeric keypad, works just fine and is quick.Because this is merely a first-impressions review, I can’t speak to the Slim X3 keyboard’s battery life; in fact, it came at least partially charged and I haven’t even charged it yet! If my impressions about durability or anything else are negative after a few months of use, I’ll come back to update this review. But initial impressions of the Satechi Slim X3 Bluetooth Backlit Keyboard are very positive. I’m glad to recommend this product.UPDATE (10 days): Adjusting to this keyboard took no time at all. Although keystrokes feel ever-so-subtly different from Apple's wired aluminum keyboard, the difference hasn't slowed me down. On rare occasions (maybe once or twice a day), keystrokes result in repeated letters on-screen (such as "mm" instead of "m"); I think it's this Satechi keyboard rather than my fingers since I didn't experience this with Apple's wired keyboard, but it doesn't happen often enough for me to be bothered or to reduce my rating.UPDATE (7 months): I continue to be impressed with the feel of this keyboard … but the issue of repeated keystrokes (such as "bb" instead of "b") happens often enough (a couple times daily, perhaps as often as once per hour, on random keys so I don't think it's a manufacturing defect on one or more keys) that I've lowered my rating from 5 stars to 4 stars. Given that this issue doesn't occur with Apple's old wired aluminum keyboard (and I use one of those almost daily on three other Macs), I'm inclined to think that it's a minor design flaw in Satechi's product. Going forward, I will try to pay more attention to which keys see occasional repeats — to confirm my theory that this is a minor design flaw rather than a defect with specific keys on my Satechi Slim X3.

This item is amazing !! ... almost exact replacement for all apple products WITH LIGHTS !! ... WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW - the lights DO NOT stay on when plugged into USBC - or what many say wired mode - yes you do have to wake the keyboard up to light the panel ...

Looks great, sucks at keyboarding. Turns off after mere seconds of not typing, constantly waiting for it to reconnect to my Mac mini and sometimes have to restart everything just to get it to work. Wish I'd just spent the money on an Apple Keyboard.

I have only had this keyboard for a couple of days so I can't speak to its longevity. However it seems very well built so I have some confidence in that area.What I do like straight away is the key action. I have always used Apple keyboards and have always liked them, but this has all the good stuff and improved on them IMO. The action has a little more travel and touch which I find helps to identify when you may have struck too lightly to register a letter. In comparison Apple's keyboard has less sensitivity and gives no feedback to touch. This one has a confirming slight click to the stroke and a discreet old fashioned key sound that lets you know you have registered your key stroke correctly. I have no problem with double ket hits as others have said, rather I have had far less missed keystrokes. Bluetooth connection is fast and consistent and the ten step keyboard backlight is very useful, although I find the light leak around the sides of the keyboard a little distracting but again, no biggey. I haven't decided on using the keyboard raising pads yet and I think there could be a more elegant solution than stick on bumpers. The range of control keys for volume, apps and other things is also useful as is the ability to go wireless or tethered via the USB-C cord that also charges.If the keyboard has longevity which I think it will, its a no brainer great deal at a much better price than Apple's equivalent.

I’ve had this keyboard for 6 months now and I can’t work without it, well, I’d rather not work without it.Everything is perfect, the keys & the feel of the keys as I type, the backlighting, build quality, aluminum not plastic, the battery life, and on and on. I can’t find one negative thing about it.And if I ever lost it, got stolen, whatever (it certainly doesn’t seem like it would break down) I’d be buying it again that same day with express delivery.

I just got my hands on the Satechi Slim X3 Bluetooth Backlight keyboard, and I couldn’t be happier! This keyboard feels incredibly lightweight, making it a joy to use for extended periods. The build quality is top-notch, with materials that feel both durable and premium. What really excites me is how perfectly it matches my MacBook Pro—the colors blend so seamlessly that it feels like they were made for each other (Apple, take notes!). If you’re looking for a keyboard that combines style, functionality, and a great typing experience, look no further. Highly recommend!