Apple Magic Keyboard (with Touch ID)
Scissor · USB-C · Touch ID
HHKB Professional Hybrid Type-S · Yellow linear
60% · $385 · Yellow linear
HHKB Professional Hybrid Type-S · Yellow linear takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, Apple Magic Keyboard (with Touch ID) lands at 86 and HHKB Professional Hybrid Type-S · Yellow linear at 94. That puts HHKB Professional Hybrid Type-S · Yellow linear ahead by 8 points — a decisive margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick Apple Magic Keyboard (with Touch ID) if…
- ✓Touch ID on Apple Silicon Macs
- ✓USB-C charging finally
- ✓Best scissor switches in laptop class
Pick HHKB Professional Hybrid Type-S · Yellow linear if…
- ✓Hot-swap on most enthusiast boards
- ✓RGB + software tuning
- ✓Premium feel
Winner by scenario
Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate testBuild
HHKB Professional Hybrid Type-S · Yellow linearCompared on the build sub-score
HHKB Professional Hybrid Type-S · Yellow linear leads on build (93 vs 90).
Typing
HHKB Professional Hybrid Type-S · Yellow linearCompared on the typing sub-score
HHKB Professional Hybrid Type-S · Yellow linear leads on typing (94 vs 88).
Value for money
Apple Magic Keyboard (with Touch ID)Specdex score per dollar at MSRP
Apple Magic Keyboard (with Touch ID) more score per dollar ($129 vs $385).
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Apple Magic Keyboard (with Touch ID) | HHKB Professional Hybrid Type-S · Yellow linear |
|---|---|---|
| Switches | Apple scissor | — |
| Layout | Compact (no numpad) / Full-size | 60% |
| Polling | 1000 Hz | — |
| Keycaps | Backlit ABS | — |
| Connectivity | BT 5.3 + USB-C cable | — |
| Backlight | No | — |
| Switch | — | Yellow linear |
Apple Magic Keyboard (with Touch ID)
- +Touch ID on Apple Silicon Macs
- +USB-C charging finally
- +Best scissor switches in laptop class
- −Mac-only Touch ID
- −No backlight
- −No mechanical option
HHKB Professional Hybrid Type-S · Yellow linear
- +Hot-swap on most enthusiast boards
- +RGB + software tuning
- +Premium feel
- −Wired/wireless varies
- −Learning curve on layout
- −Stabilizer quality varies
FAQ: Apple Magic Keyboard (with Touch ID) vs HHKB Professional Hybrid Type-S · Yellow linear
Which is better, Apple Magic Keyboard (with Touch ID) or HHKB Professional Hybrid Type-S · Yellow linear? +
HHKB Professional Hybrid Type-S · Yellow linear scores 94 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 8. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is Apple Magic Keyboard (with Touch ID) worth the price? +
At $129, Apple Magic Keyboard (with Touch ID) delivers a Specdex score of 86 — strongest in software.
Is HHKB Professional Hybrid Type-S · Yellow linear worth the price? +
At $385, HHKB Professional Hybrid Type-S · Yellow linear delivers a Specdex score of 94 — strongest in typing.
Does Apple Magic Keyboard (with Touch ID) or HHKB Professional Hybrid Type-S · Yellow linear last longer? +
Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.
Which is better for build, Apple Magic Keyboard (with Touch ID) or HHKB Professional Hybrid Type-S · Yellow linear? +
HHKB Professional Hybrid Type-S · Yellow linear — leads on build (93 vs 90). Compared on the build sub-score.
Which is better for typing, Apple Magic Keyboard (with Touch ID) or HHKB Professional Hybrid Type-S · Yellow linear? +
HHKB Professional Hybrid Type-S · Yellow linear — leads on typing (94 vs 88). Compared on the typing sub-score.