Satechi Launches New Backlit Keyboards, iPad Stand

[chscag]

Satechi Launches New Backlit Keyboards, iPad Stand

Satechi today announced the launch of four new backlit USB-C keyboards, including the Slim X1 Bluetooth Keyboard, the Slim X1 Wired Keyboard, the Slim X3 Bluetooth Keyboard, and the Slim X3 Wired Keyboard. The Slim X1 models are compact and portable, for taking along while on the go, and the...

forums.macrumors.com

I copied this from MacRumors to here because these new keyboards are a great bargain for someone who is in the market for one.

They are on sale at the Satechi web site with a 20% discount this week only.

I was so impressed that I ordered one (even though I probably don't need another keyboard.)

As far as I am aware, these keyboards are only available in the US (and maybe Canada, you would need to check). Price with discount is $56.00 and includes free shipping.

These keyboards come with a USB C to USB C cable for recharging. A USB C to USB A cable is not included but you can find those for less than $10 most anywhere.

If you by chance have any of Samsungs series T5 or T7 SSD external drives, they come with both a USB C to USB C and a USB C to USB A cable.

 

[pigoo3]

Since I'm using a desktop Mac more these days...a backlit keyboard would come in handy!

- Nick

 

[chscag]

I ordered one to add to my collection of keyboards. LOL

I still have two of the old wired full size keyboards with the numerical keys. I probably will give one of them to a worthy person.

I also have the Apple rechargeable Magic Keyboard which I'm currently using. Not the best for typing.

 

[pigoo3]

I still have two of the old wired full size keyboards with the numerical keys. I probably will give one of them to a worthy person.

This is what I use as well. Having a desktop keyboard with a backlight would be a useful upgrade.

- Nick

 

[Slydude]

I have the Matias Backlit Bluetooth Keyboard, which has similar functionality at less cost. I may be replacing it, though, since the charging port seems to be getting a little "twitchy."

This keyboard seems to have similar functionality. The Matias keyboard will pair with 4 devices rather than three, go longer between charges, and cross-platform.

 

[Lifeisabeach]

Since I'm using a desktop Mac more these days...a backlit keyboard would come in handy!

Yeah, the desire for a backlit keyboard was one reason I wound up buying a Logitech MX Keys model. I wasn't sure if I'd like it due to the way the keys have a pothole in the middle of them, but as it turns out I love it! Charges by USB-C also, which was a bonus since I'm keen to migrate to that when I buy anything new.

 

[chscag]

Just received the Satechi keyboard today and have it paired to my iMac. Very nice keyboard with better key response than the Apple Magic Keyboard 2 (rechargeable model).

The one thing that folks may not like is that this keyboard charges up via a USB C cable that's supplied. However, it's a USB C to USB C cable. Unless you have a USB C port or TB3 port on your Mac, you will need a USB C to USB A cable instead to recharge the keyboard. With a USB C to USB A cable you can use any standard USB charger and of course your Mac.

All in all, I like this keyboard and will test the backlighting this evening. Supposedly the keyboard will run for 80 hours with a moderate backlight setting before it needs to be recharged.

It also can be run in wired mode by pressing several keys (Fn + USB special key). I tried it and it can be tricky because your Mac will think it's a different keyboard. Then when you go back to wireless mode the Mac sees it as a new keyboard again. It pairs right away, but that can be a distraction.

 

[Slydude]

I just ordered one, and it should be here tomorrow. I have the Mattias Backlit keyboard and like it, but the charging port does not seem to be accepting the wire anymore.

80 hours with moderate backlighting is not as good as the Mattias keyboard specs, but this keyboard is about half the price of that one.

 

[Slydude]

.

The one thing that folks may not like is that this keyboard charges up via a USB C cable that's supplied. However, it's a USB C to USB C cable. Unless you have a USB C port or TB3 port on your Mac, you will need a USB C to USB A cable instead to recharge the keyboard. With a USB C to USB A cable you can use any standard USB charger and of course your Mac.

The keyboard arrived today and I unboxed it a few minutes ago. mine came with the USB C to USB A cable (in addition to a USBC only cable) so no need for an adapter.

 

[chscag]

Which keyboard model did you buy? It sounds like you purchased the full sized model. The small model (the one I purchased) does not come with a USB C to USB A cable.

 

[Slydude]

Which keyboard model did you buy? It sounds like you purchased the full sized model. The small model (the one I purchased) does not come with a USB C to USB A cable.

That must be the difference. I do have the full-sized model. I thought I had gotten the more compact one that you have but I like this model. `

 

[chscag]

Yeah, that's what I thought. I have two USB C to USB A cables but they are rather short (18") so I ordered a longer one from Monoprice.com (36"). That will allow charging the keyboard at the same time being able to use it wireless. Otherwise I would have to use it wired while it was charging with the shorter cable.

I do not intend to charge it from the iMac, but rather from a separate source. I also need to buy a USB C charger as mine are all of the older type (USB A).

 

[chscag]

Just thought I would add some remarks to this thread regarding the Satechi wireless backlighted keyboard:

I requested a RMA from Satechi today. This keyboard will be returned. Why?

The keyboard is designed to go to sleep after 30 minutes of non use, probably to save battery power. This sounds good, right? Wrong.

Whenever the keyboard goes to sleep, it disconnects from my iMac. I have to try getting it connected again using the BT preferences. Sometimes it connects, sometimes it does not. This process is inconvenient, time consuming, and frankly not something I want to put up with.

I guess I could always use it as wired device with the USB-C included cable, but that does away with the convenience of wireless.

It's really too bad as the keyboard itself is very nice, good keystroke feel, backlighting, and looks good.

Since Satechi says it can be returned within 30 days, no questions asked, it's going back as soon as I receive the RMA number. Return postage is on me.

 

[Slydude]

I'm going to have to watch for that. I have not noticed that issue yet with the version I purchased (full-sized). I was outside for a bit, checking the tire pressures in the car a few minutes ago. I'm pretty sure I was AFK for more than a half-hour as I took care of a few other things. No issues so far. I certainly don't have that issue when I log out at night and log in the next morning.

 

[chscag]

The strange thing about the time out is that at first it seemed okay. For the first few days using the keyboard it would wake up and also wake my iMac. But the last 2 days it started acting up in that the keyboard would refuse to wake up the iMac and it would show up as disconnected.

It was fully charged so that could not be the reason. Also the keyboard works when attached via the USB-C cable but that defeats the purpose of having a wireless keyboard.

The keyboard could be defective but I suspect its firmware is at fault. Anyway, back it goes.

 

[Lifeisabeach]

Just thought I would add some remarks to this thread regarding the Satechi wireless backlighted keyboard:

I requested a RMA from Satechi today. This keyboard will be returned. Why?

The keyboard is designed to go to sleep after 30 minutes of non use, probably to save battery power. This sounds good, right? Wrong.

Whenever the keyboard goes to sleep, it disconnects from my iMac. I have to try getting it connected again using the BT preferences. Sometimes it connects, sometimes it does not. This process is inconvenient, time consuming, and frankly not something I want to put up with.

That sounds like what I had going on with my Matias. If that Satechi pairs to multiple devices, one quick way around that is to set two of the devices it can toggle between to be for the iMac. When waking up, if the keyboard isn't responding, switch to the other toggle. A better solution is to use a Logitech keyboard with their Unifying Receiver. You'd be giving up a USB port, but I don't have this issue with my MX Keys keyboard.

 

[Slydude]

Nice tip, LB. It basically means connecting to fewer devices but works around the problem. I experienced similar problems occasionally. Rather than assigning two keys to the same device and thus cutting down on the number of possible connections, I switch it momentarily to one of the other devices and then switch back to the iMac. It accomplishes the same purpose but retains the ability to connect to four different devices.

As I mentioned in another thread, I've stopped using that keyboard. The charging port seems to have failed.

 

[chscag]

A better solution is to use a Logitech keyboard with their Unifying Receiver. You'd be giving up a USB port, but I don't have this issue with my MX Keys keyboard.

I already have that setup with a mouse I'm using. I gave up one USB port for the receiver.

Like I mentioned to Sly, I could attach the keyboard to one of my USB-C (TB 3) ports on the iMac but that defeats the purpose of wireless. Anyway, I believe Satechi can do better with the firmware in this keyboard. Timing out after 30 minutes makes little sense when it's so easy to recharge. Too much of an inconvenience to me to have to juggle pairing devices just so I can get this keyboard to work.

 

[Lifeisabeach]

I already have that setup with a mouse I'm using. I gave up one USB port for the receiver.

Like I mentioned to Sly, I could attach the keyboard to one of my USB-C (TB 3) ports on the iMac but that defeats the purpose of wireless. Anyway, I believe Satechi can do better with the firmware in this keyboard. Timing out after 30 minutes makes little sense when it's so easy to recharge. Too much of an inconvenience to me to have to juggle pairing devices just so I can get this keyboard to work.

If you get a Logitech keyboard, you can pair it to that same receiver the mouse is using. No need to lose another port.

EDIT: BTW, I don't think this is a firmware issue with Satechi. Like I mentioned, I had the same problem with my Matias keyboard. I don't recall having this issue on Mojave and earlier, so methinks this has something to do with Catalina and onwards. Or maybe it was more specific to my change from a 2010 iMac to a 2019 iMac and thus something to do with the iMac hardware.

 

[Slydude]

@Charlie,

Both the Apple And Matias wireless keyboards will show the battery charge level if you look in the Bluetooth preference pane. Did your Satechi keyboard show the battery level there? I don't think mine shows that there.

That's a minor inconvenience, for me but it's a bit disappointing.