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SM3 Slim Mechanical Keyboard
Satechi outdid itself with its first full-sized mechanical keyboard with as much as 4 related units.
Execs
- Nice typing expertise
- Strong development
- Unimaginable battery life
Cons
- You would possibly expertise some delays with Mac units
I’ve by no means been into mechanical keyboards. As a long-time Mac consumer, I’ve all the time relied on Apple’s MacBook Professional keyboard, and, reality be advised, I even loved the now-dead butterfly choice. I switched from utilizing a MacBook Professional every day to a Mac Studio and Studio Display combo two years in the past.
This modification additionally marked the primary time I’d be utilizing Apple’s wi-fi Magic Keyboard and Magic Mouse, and I additionally take pleasure in them. So, when Satechi introduced its latest mechanical keyboard at CES 2025, I used to be intrigued to strive the SM3 Slim. After utilizing it for some time, I believe I’m bought.
A novel search for my setup
Satechi presents the SM3 Slim Mechanical Keyboard in Mild and Darkish choices. Whereas my Magic equipment are all black, I used to be trying ahead to attempting the Mild model, which was an instantaneous match with my setup. I really like how the white and gray keys give my setup a retro but fashionable look.
What’s additionally nice about this product is that it’s the primary full-size mechanical keyboard developed by Satechi and designed to work with Mac, Home windows, iOS, iPadOS, and ChromeOS units. Its full 108-key format has a numeric keypad, and it’s straightforward to seek out all of them.
The SM3 encompasses a slim, ergonomic design, a smooth aluminum enclosure, detachable keycaps, and adjustable ft for optimum effectivity and luxury. The keys are backlit with three brightness ranges, 4 LED speeds, and 14 motion choices.
Subsequent degree of consolation
Whereas I don’t care concerning the Magic Keyboard’s lack of adjustable ft, this function is vital to Satechi’s SM3 Slim Mechanical Keyboard. The corporate says these adjustable ft present added stability to assist the keyboard adapt to uneven surfaces and stop motion whereas typing.
With low-profile brown switches, this keyboard presents shorter journey, which has helped cut back finger fatigue and supply an total comfy typing expertise—and belief me, I sort a lot throughout my work days that I want all the assistance I can get.
As well as, stabilizers are included beneath the delete key, the return key, the area bar, and the left shift key to permit for a uniform key press, so each press feels stable. I additionally benefit from the sound of typing on this mechanical keyboard quite a bit. Whereas I’ve seen associates typing into loud mechanical keyboards that may disturb me and everybody else, this one has the precise typing noise to make me relaxed and productive. I do know it would sound loopy, however that’s exactly how I really feel.
Connectivity for energy customers
Satechi’s SM3 Slim Mechanical Keyboard accommodates as much as 4 units, permitting customers to modify between them immediately. It options twin Bluetooth 5.0 channels, a 2.4 Ghz USB receiver, and a dependable wired connection, making it an ideal choice for any use case.
Most significantly, I can seamlessly swap between my Mac and iPad. That is particularly helpful for these engaged on a number of platforms on the similar time, all of which require a snug typing expertise. Whereas I often want to deal with the Mac and its massive show, it’s good that I can seamlessly swap between units so simply.
Battery life
The Satechi SM3 Slim Mechanical Keyboard has a 2,500mAh rechargeable battery. With the included USB-C cable, you need to use it additionally use it whereas charging. Whereas I often work through the day, I want to not activate the important thing backlights. That manner, months can cross with out me having to fret about recharging this keyboard. Normally, with the Magic Keyboard, it may well last as long as two months on a single cost. I anticipate the identical with Satechi’s choice.
Worth and remaining ideas
Satechi sells the SM3 Slim Mechanical Keyboard for $119.99, which appears truthful as this gadget has nice development, the keys are stable, and so they don’t appear like they will put on out after a number of months. If you happen to’re a Mac consumer like me, you would possibly observe at the very least two minor drawbacks in comparison with the Magic Keyboard, which is the dearth of Contact ID expertise and a little bit of a lag for the keyboard to attach with the Mac when you’ve turned on the pc, or with a number of instructions every so often. Nothing that can really disturb your expertise.
Regardless of these small points which can be extra on Apple than Satechi, this has been considered one of my biggest typing experiences I’ve had, and Satechi did a improbable job with its first full-size mechanical keyboard.
