Two desktop keyboards that offer more, cost less
You don't want to spend a ton of money on a keyboard, and nobody can blame you for that. Apple's offerings may be some of the best around, but are pricey, and lack key features. Are there keyboards that can take their place? Is anything good enough to really make you forget about all the research and development Jony Ive and company put into their home-grown devices? Maybe! We've found two keyboards that have the same functionality (or more), and won't break the bank.
Satechi
A full 104-key offering, the Satechi takes the place of Apple's keyboard nicely. Paired via Bluetooth or wired, Satechi's offering is a fit for any Apple desktop. It's got one more trick, though.
You can pair the Satechi keyboard with up to five different devices. Work on your iMac, Macbook, iPad, iPhone, Android, or Windows device all from a single keyboard. Keyboard shortcuts make switching easy, too.
It also supports all the Apple shortcut keys you're used to, so you won't miss a beat. The bold lettering on each key are great for those who still have to peek at their keyboards. The key travel is pretty responsive, too, and Bluetooth pairing (versus the wired-only Apple model) is handy, even for a 104-key keyboard.
inateck
If you're looking to replace the standard Apple keyboard, inateck has you covered. Their Bluetooth keyboard offers all the same functionality as Apple's, but at a fraction of the price.
The layout is exactly the same as Apple's offering, and inateck's keyboard is just as useful. Key travel on this one is different — a bit hollow — but it's not lacking in any way. All you need is some batteries, and you're ready to go!
Battery life in the inateck seems to be a touch less than Apple's keyboard, but either will last you quite a while before you're digging around for AA batteries.
Are they worth it?
A standalone keyboard is great for Macbook users who dock their device on a desktop (and iMac users, obviously), so a solid keyboard is a really good option. Apple's offerings are great, but expensive. In the case of the 104-key model, wired.
Both of the keyboards mentioned above do a very adequate job of keeping up with your day-to-day needs. Both pair easily, and keep their connection. The wired option on the Satechi is nice for older devices that might have weaker Bluetooth.
The Satechi keyboard is $54.99 via Amazon, which is right around what you'd pay for the similar keyboard via Apple. Satechi's is Bluetooth, and Apple currently doesn't offer a Bluetooth 104-key keyboard, so unless you're really picky about key travel, give it a shot. Apple's also doesn't switch between multiple devices, should you need that feature.
The inateck model is $18.99. Apple's is $69.99. Though it's marketed toward mobile devices, we had no problem pairing it to any Bluetooth enabled computer. It definitely doesn't feel as premium as Apple's keyboard, but you shouldn't expect it to, either.