Closer Examination

The AZIO MK MAC BT comes in something akin to a wax paper wrap, and removing it, we see an attractive full-size keyboard. It is not just completely white as the aluminum frame has a metallic sheen to it that complements the color scheme while not looking cheap either. The AZIO logo is present above the arrow keys, and that is really the only logo/branding on the keyboard. In the top-right corner is a volume mute on/off button next to a volume scroll wheel with infinite motion, and the wheel has a textured finish that helps with feeling its steps as it is turned. The keyboard uses screws on the front to hold everything together, and there is unfortunately a screw immediately below the Esc key that is not under a keycap and thus visible, which takes away from the attention to detail here.

There are no secondary legends anywhere but on the function-key row, which is partly a result of the MacOS native support here and because the keyboard is, aside from aforementioned media and volume controls, a bog-standard keyboard in functionality. There is no backlighting, and the three indicator LEDs next to the volume control button are really the only LEDs. Also, since this is not a Windows OS keyboard, we have a different layout inside the otherwise familiar ANSI layout with fifteen function keys instead of twelve with the print screen cluster, and the Alt key is also a key further away from the space bar. Similarly, we have "CLEAR" instead of Num Lock, and I will describe in due time how this setup fared in Win 10.


On the back is the certification label in the center, and we also see four rubber pads on the corners to help prevent the keyboard from sliding around on your desk. There is also a cutout at the bottom where the wrist rest goes in, and the keyboard has two feet at the top that can be raised to elevate the keyboard. The feet also have rubber pads on the bottom, which is nice to see. On the left side, near the keyboard's foot, is the on/off toggle switch next to the pairing button, both of which are described in the manual.


The keyboard has a female USB Type-C port in the top where the cable plugs in, only used to charge the battery inside. AZIO says that the cable is meant to be used with an available USB 2.0 port on your computer, and any more than the 500 mA provided by a USB 2.0 port will not be used. We also see above that the wrist rest simply clips into place without any tools, and the entire keyboard with the wrist rest looks and feels very nice in action. Of course, given the wrist rest is removable and entirely optional, you get to choose if you want to use it or not.


AZIO uses the OEM profile here, with the usual sculpted rows that create the impression of a curved key well, and the top surfaces are concave as well, guiding your fingers to the center. The F and J keycaps have their expected ridges, and the keycaps themselves are made out of ABS plastic, but are thicker than average for stock keycaps since their wall thickness measures in at 1.08 mm. The legends are laser etched, so expect wear and tear sooner rather than later.


There is only a switch option here, and AZIO has gone with the Kailh Brown switches for the MK MAC BT. With no backlighting on the keyboard, the use of the older, tried and tested design with opaque housing works fine here. The larger keycaps have a Cherry style stabilizer that works fine as well. There is some wobble on the space bar if you hit it near its extremities, which is of no concern during normal use as you will hit it in the middle.