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SM3 Slim Mechanical Keyboard
Satechi outdid itself with its first full-sized mechanical keyboard with as much as 4 linked units.
Professionals
- Nice typing expertise
- Strong development
- Unbelievable battery life
Cons
- You may 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 possibility. I switched from utilizing a MacBook Professional day by 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 get pleasure from 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 offered.
A novel search for my setup
Satechi provides the SM3 Slim Mechanical Keyboard in Gentle and Darkish choices. Whereas my Magic equipment are all black, I used to be wanting ahead to making an attempt the Gentle model, which was an on the spot 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 simple to seek out all of them.
The SM3 contains a slim, ergonomic design, a modern 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 characteristic 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 provides shorter journey, which has helped scale 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 house 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 buddies typing into loud mechanical keyboards that will 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 possibility for any use case.
Most significantly, I can seamlessly change 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 cushty typing expertise. Whereas I often choose to concentrate on the Mac and its massive show, it’s good that I can seamlessly change 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 choose to not activate the important thing backlights. That means, months can go with out me having to fret about recharging this keyboard. Often, with the Magic Keyboard, it may last as long as two months on a single cost. I count on the identical with Satechi’s possibility.
Worth and ultimate ideas
Satechi sells the SM3 Slim Mechanical Keyboard for $119.99, which appears honest as this gadget has nice development, the keys are stable, they usually don’t appear to be they’re going to put on out after just a few months. When you’re a Mac consumer like me, you may word no less than two minor drawbacks in comparison with the Magic Keyboard, which is the shortage of Contact ID know-how and a little bit of a lag for the keyboard to attach with the Mac when you’ve turned on the pc, or with just a few instructions every so often. Nothing that can really disturb your expertise.
Regardless of these small points which are extra on Apple than Satechi, this has been certainly one of my biggest typing experiences I’ve had, and Satechi did a unbelievable job with its first full-size mechanical keyboard.
