Macally Small Wired Keyboard for Mac and PC (Dual USB C + A)
Bottom line: The Macally Small Wired Keyboard for Mac and PC ($29.99 on Amazon as of 2026-10-06): Dual USB-C and USB-A plugs built in, so no adapter for new or older computers; main trade-off: 78-key layout has no dedicated numeric keypad for data entry.
As an Amazon Associate, SpecPicks earns from qualifying purchases. Full disclosure →
*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-06. Price and availability subject to change.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✓ Dual USB-C and USB-A plugs built in, so no adapter for new or older computers
- ✓ 13 one-touch keys for Mission Control, brightness, media and volume
- ✓ Low-profile scissor switches give quiet typing with short travel
- ✓ 78-key compact layout frees desk space and fits in a travel bag
- ✓ Wired: no batteries, no charging and no wireless dropouts
Cons
- ✗ 78-key layout has no dedicated numeric keypad for data entry
- ✗ Wired only; no Bluetooth option for cable-free setups
- ✗ Shortcut key labels are Mac-focused; Windows users may need to adjust
- ✗ Short scissor travel won't satisfy fans of mechanical switches
Manufacturer description
The Macally Small Wired Keyboard is a compact, 78-key keyboard for Mac and PC. It keeps the keys you use every day and drops the bulk of a full-size board. Its biggest advantage is the connection. Built-in USB-C and USB-A plugs let you connect directly to a new MacBook, an older iMac or a Windows PC without carrying an adapter. Thirteen dedicated shortcut keys give you one-touch access to Mission Control, screen brightness, media playback and volume. That will feel familiar if you are moving from a MacBook's built-in keyboard. Low-profile scissor switches give short, stable key travel with…
SpecPicks Verdict
SpecPicks scored Macally Small Wired Keyboard for Mac and PC using a rating × review-volume × price-fit model applied to published specs and reviews across the keyboards & mice category. Macally's keyboards & mice lineup sits within the broader category mid-tier; price and specs are the deciding factors over brand loyalty here. Judge it on the specification table and the price rather than on sentiment: check the figures that decide your use case, then put it side-by-side with two or three close alternatives in the Compare tool before clicking through.
Common buyer scenarios for keyboards & mice of this kind: matching it to an existing build, replacing a failing part, or upgrading from a previous-generation equivalent. Check the spec table below against your current setup — particularly socket / form-factor / power-rating fields — and confirm compatibility on the retailer's listing before purchase. Prices and stock are set by the retailer and may have moved since this page was last updated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Macally small wired keyboard work with both USB-C and USB-A ports?
Yes. It has both a USB-C and a USB-A plug built in, so it connects directly to modern USB-C Macs and to older computers with USB-A ports without an adapter.
Will this keyboard work with a Windows PC?
Yes. Macally sells it as a keyboard for both Mac and PC. It is plug and play over USB. The 13 shortcut keys are designed around Mac functions such as Mission Control, so some may work differently on Windows.
Does it have a number pad?
No. It uses a compact 78-key layout that keeps the essential keys and leaves out the numeric keypad to save desk space. If you enter a lot of numbers, you may want a separate keypad.
Can I use it with an iPad or iPhone?
The listing names iPad and iPhone as compatible devices. USB-C iPad and iPhone models can connect through the keyboard's built-in USB-C plug. Check the product listing to confirm support for your specific model.
What kind of key switches does it use, and is it loud?
It uses low-profile scissor switches with short key travel, similar to a MacBook keyboard. According to Macally, they are quieter than standard keys while still feeling stable and responsive.
Key Features
- Dual (USB A + USB C) Connection: Built-in USB C and USB A plug ensure direct compatibility with modern and legacy computers without adapters, making this a reliable apple wired keyboard across multiple systems.
- Space Saving Design: Slim, space efficient design keeps all essential keys while reducing desk clutter. This mac compatible keyboard usb c is ideal for minimalist workspaces, small desks, or travel.
- One Touch Shortcut Keys: 13 dedicated shortcut keys deliver quick access to Mission Control, brightness, media, and volume controls, giving you familiar functionality expected from a mac keyboard wired for daily productivity.
- Responsive Scissor Switch Keys: Low profile scissor switch keys offer stable, responsive typing with reduced noise and shorter key travel, creating a comfortable typing experience similar to a macbook keyboard.
- Plug and Play Reliability: No batteries, charging, or wireless dropouts to manage. The wired type c keyboard delivers consistent, uninterrupted typing you can rely on at home, in the office, or on the go.
Full Specifications
| Brand | Macally |
|---|---|
| Color | Space Gray |
| Style | Wired USB Type C Keyboard, Keyboard for iMac, iPad Keyboard |
| Style Name | Wired USB Type C Keyboard, Keyboard for iMac, iPad Keyboard |
| Unit Count | 1.0 Count |
| Switch Type | Scissor |
| Connectivity | Wireless, USB-C |
| Power Source | Corded Electric |
| Compatibility | PC, Switch, iOS, Mac |
| Built-In Media | USB Cable, User Manual |
| Number of Keys | 78 |
| Button Quantity | 78 |
| Connection Type | Wired |
| Keyboard Layout | QWERTY |
| Special Feature | Dual Wired Keyboard for Mac, Small Mac Compatible Keyboard, USB C Mac Keyboard Wired, USB Wired Mac Keyboard, Wired Keyboard for Macbook |
| Antenna Location | Business, Education, Everyday Use, Personal, Student |
| Compatible Devices | Macbook, Macbook Pro, iMac, iPad, iPhone |
| Additional Features | Dual Wired Keyboard for Mac, Small Mac Compatible Keyboard, USB C Mac Keyboard Wired, USB Wired Mac Keyboard, Wired Keyboard for Macbook |
| Included Components | USB Cable, User Manual |
| Keyboard Description | Wired Keyboard USB C |
| Full listing title | Macally Small Wired Keyboard for Mac and PC (Dual USB C + A) - Save Space, 78-Key Layout with 13 Shortcuts, Type C - Compact USB C Keyboard for MacBook, iMac, iPad, iPhone - Space Gray |
Ready to buy?
Macally Small Wired Keyboard for Mac and PC (Dual USB C + A) - Save Space, 78-Key Layout with 13 Shortcuts, Type C - Compact USB C Keyboard for MacBook, iMac, iPad, iPhone - Space Gray is listed on Amazon. Price, availability, shipping and returns are set by Amazon and its sellers — check the listing for current terms. SpecPicks earns a small commission on qualifying purchases — thank you for supporting independent review work.
*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-06. Price and availability subject to change.
Related Keyboards & Mice
TMKB 60% Mechanical Gaming Keyboard, Red Linear Switch, Wired, White
More guides & deep dives from the SpecPicks archive
Browse all articles & guides →- How to Build a Windows 98 Retro PC in 2026
- Best 1440p Gaming GPUs in 2026
- Best Budget Gaming PC Build 2026 — ~$1,000 ($800 on Sale)
- RTX 4070 Super vs RX 7800 XT — Which to Buy in 2026
- The Complete Voodoo5 5500 AGP Driver Guide (2026 Edition)
- Best Retro Handhelds in 2026 — From $35 to $500
- Emulation Hardware in 2026: FPGA, Software, and Cart-Reader Ecosystems
More reviews from the SpecPicks archive
Browse all reviews →- Best PC Cooling Solutions for AM4 and AM5 Builds in 2026
- ComfyUI on an RTX 3060 12GB: Stable Diffusion & Flux Throughput in 2026
- Noctua NH-U12S vs ML240L RGB on a Ryzen 7 5800X
- AIO vs Air on a Ryzen 7 5800X: Corsair ML240L vs Noctua NH-U12S
- Raspberry Pi 5 IOMMU Driver Lands for the Mainline Linux Kernel
- Blue Yeti vs HyperX QuadCast 2: Best Budget Streaming Mic Setup in 2026
- Qwen3 MTP on a Single RTX 3060 12GB: What the New Benchmark Numbers Actually Mean
- Revive an Old Payphone with a Raspberry Pi Zero 2W
- Best Parts for a Local RAG Document-QA Workstation in 2026
- Raspberry Pi 5 8GB Review (2026): Still the SBC to Beat
- GLM-5.2 Local: What GPU Actually Runs the Top Open-Weights LLM
- Best SSD for PS5 and Console-PC Hybrid Setups in 2026
- Samsung's 2026 Odyssey Lineup Adds 5K, 6K and a 360Hz 4K QD-OLED
- Glide on Modern PCs: dgVoodoo2 + nGlide for 3dfx-Era Games (2026)
- Best AMD GPU for 4K Gaming in 2026
- DeepCool AK620 vs Noctua NH-U12S for the Ryzen 7 5800X
- Best AM4 Upgrade Parts Under $100 Each in 2026
- Thinking Machines Drops Inkling, a 975B Open Model Leading US Labs
- Build a Sub-$60 Air Quality Monitor on a Raspberry Pi 4 (CO₂, PM2.5, VOC)
- Why a Red Hat Engineer Ditched ARM64 for AMD Ryzen (Linux AI Builds)
- Best SSD and Controller Pairing for a Living-Room Gaming PC
- What Rig Runs an AI Agent Locally? Building for the Agent Era
- Ethernet WiFi Router on a Pi Pico 2W: What's Possible
- Tencent Hy3 on an RTX 3060 12GB: Can a $300 GPU Run It?
Earliest SpecPicks reviews
Browse full archive →- Best GPU for Llama 3.1 8B (2026)
- Best GPU for Qwen 3 14B (2026)
- Best GPU for Qwen 3 32B (2026)
- Best GPU for Llama 3.1 70B (2026)
- Best GPU for DeepSeek-R1 32B (2026)
- Best GPU for Llama 3.1 405B (2026)
- How to run Llama 3.1 8B on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090
- How to run Qwen 3 14B on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090
- How to run Qwen 3 32B on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090
- How to run Llama 3.1 70B on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090
- How to run DeepSeek-R1 32B on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090
- How to run Llama 3.1 8B on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090