Apple releases new Magic Keyboards with one notable change

Apple has released updated versions of its Magic Keyboard accessories alongside the launch of newly refreshed Mac mini and Mac Studio desktop computers. The updated keyboards introduce a subtle design change, replacing written text labels on several standard keys with visual glyphs.

The aesthetic revision brings Apple's standalone desktop peripherals into alignment with the visual language implemented across its laptop line earlier this year. Apple previously removed text key labels in favor of iconography on the MacBook Neo, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro models. The new Magic Keyboards extend that design approach across the company's standalone input devices.

Across the updated Magic Keyboard lineup, common modifier and command keys no longer feature text descriptions. Keys including tab, caps lock, return, shift, and delete have dropped written labels in favor of icon-only representations. Additionally, on extended keyboard models that feature a dedicated numeric keypad, keys such as Home, Page Up, and Page Down have been updated with brand-new icons that replace the original text labels.

Apart from the transition to glyph-based keycaps, the newly released Magic Keyboards retain the same specifications, dimensions, and operational functionality as their predecessors. The physical key layouts and typing mechanisms remain identical to previous iterations, and all models continue to utilize USB-C ports for charging and connectivity. Apple is offering the refreshed keyboard lineup in several configurations, including the standard Magic Keyboard, a version equipped with a Touch ID sensor for biometric authentication, and a full-sized Touch ID model with a numeric keypad available in a black color option.

The accessory revisions coincided with internal hardware upgrades for Apple's compact desktop computers. The latest Mac mini and Mac Studio models feature upgraded processing power powered by Apple's next-generation custom silicon, including the new M6 chip and the high-end M5 Ultra processor.

Pre-orders for the updated Mac mini and Mac Studio desktop computers are currently open. The revised Magic Keyboard models are also available for order directly from Apple as well as through major third-party retailers, including Amazon.