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update: I got a Logitech MX Keys S Plus. it feels similar, the way the key caps have both the PC and Mac labels on them is super cute, and while it seemingly doesn't have a true wired USB mode like the Apple Magic Keyboard, it does at least come with a USB receiver, thank god.

most importantly it doesn't have that fucking coil whine while charging. I used the opportunity to test it against another Magic Keyboard with Numeric Keypad (an A2520, mine was an A1843) and it has the same problem, so it's not some defect with my unit or a single-model issue

aha, Apple's unibody aluminium has spoiled me, the tiny amount of flex on this keyboard surprised me

btw the charging light is annoying but that's nothing that a little Generic Brand™ Unspecified-Colour-Tack can't fix.

also I really appreciate that it lets me use the Mac modifier key layout under Windows, in hardware! (though note that Logitech's software, if you install it, will disable that by default, but you can re-enable it)

ah, the flex happens because of there not being enough of the little bumper/standoff things (is that what they're called); adding two toothpicks underneath the keyboard was enough to prevent it :)

i wish Logitech had provided all three modifier keys to the right of the spacebar, and not put fn there; i have muscle memory for using right ctrl on the Mac… oh well.

okay so Logitech's customisation software sucks! i mean actually it is very useful and easy-to-use, but it has failed to clear a very low bar: DO NOT SILENTLY RESET MY SETTINGS IN AN AUTOMATIC UPDATE

found my own solution ;)

@saagar i have plenty of other sources of them, i'm not too worried :p

@hikari My problem with basically all non Apple keyboards is that I'm SO used to having all four modifier keys to the left of the spacebar that I can't (or rather don't want to) get used to having only three. (Especially as I'll still use the MacBook's internal keyboard occasionally, so there would be no consistency.)

@stefandesu understandable, Apple's laptop-size keyboard layout is really nice

@hikari OMG, I was as like “this can’t be right”, so I checked my A1843, and sure enough it has a coil whine! I just hope I will be able to unhear it again 😬

@hikari possible dumb question: is there a suitable wired apple keyboard without this problem (and is it suitable?)?

@leftpaddotpy Apple no longer sell purely wired keyboards and I would feel guilty if I had to sacrifice another considering how many old ones I destroyed

@hikari ugh, *really*. that's quite unfortunate.

@leftpaddotpy oh to be clear their current keyboards are excellent. if you plug in a Lightning cable they not only charge, but become a purely USB keyboard. the Bluetooth feature is completely optional. if it weren't for the coil whine i'd have no complaints

@hikari The MX Keys line from logitech might?? be what you're looking for. Certainly looks the part in terms of design—if you want something a tad bit more clicky the MX Mechanical for Mac is what we use and it's rather nice.

(Despite the 'for Mac' codifier it very much works on Linux and probably Windows, too, though we've not tested that since we dont have a windows machine. The generic versions exist as well ofc.)

@hikari i think satechi has nice apple-ish keyboards, both wired and wireless