Why I Needed a Better Keyboard and Mouse Setup
I’ve spent the last year hopping between three machines every day:
- a MacBook Pro (M1) for work
- a MacBook Air (M3) for personal use
- a Windows 11 desktop for gaming and side projects
It worked, but the desk setup was a mess. I had Apple’s Magic devices for the Macs, and a completely separate keyboard/mouse pair plugged into the Windows machine. It meant two keyboards, two mice, and a daily ritual of pairing and unpairing Bluetooth devices whenever I switched tasks.
The constant switching slowed me down, and the clutter became harder to ignore. I wanted something that could move between devices instantly and feel consistent no matter which computer I was on.
A mechanical keyboard crossed my mind for a moment, but every option felt like a compromise. Around the same time, a few colleagues mentioned the Logitech MX Keys Mini and MX Master 3S. That sent me down a rabbit hole that ended in a very quiet, very comfortable desk upgrade.
The Daily Annoyance That Pushed Me Over the Edge
The biggest pain was moving between different Macbooks. The Magic Mouse doesn’t play nicely with two different two Macs with different Apple ID’s, so I was constantly pairing, unpairing, pairing and unpairing again.
Having to do this every morning and evening was not a pleasure.
My main goals became pretty clear:
- One keyboard and one mouse
- Both should switch between three devices
- Good battery life
- Preferably wireless but reliable
- Something quiet and comfortable enough for long development sessions
I briefly thought about buying Apple’s standalone trackpad to keep macOS gesture support, but that would still leave me needing a mouse for Windows. I didn’t want to make the setup even more complicated.
Why I Chose the Logitech MX Keys Mini and MX Master 3S
These two devices kept popping up in reviews while I was researching multi-device setups. What convinced me was simple:
- both support three devices
- both switch devices with one physical button tap
- both are known for staying stable over Bluetooth
- Logi Options+ seemed helpful for customizing gestures and buttons
- they looked clean enough to fit my desk without standing out
One particular review sealed it for me: this post about the MX Master 3 by Hulry:
https://hulry.com/logitech-mx-master-3-review. It matched what I needed and confirmed I wouldn’t lose the speed of macOS gesture workflows.
I bought the white versions from Proshop.
- MX Keys Mini: €71.27
- MX Master 3S: €86.73
The color actually matters more than I expected — the white blends in with my desk setup, so the whole thing feels more intentional. I wrote about my workspace in another post if you want to see the full setup: [LINK TO DESK SETUP POST].
Setting Everything Up
Connecting the devices was quick. Each device has three slots labeled “1”, “2”, and “3”. I assigned them like this:
- 1: Work MacBook
- 2: Personal MacBook
- 3: Windows PC
Pressing the device button changes the active connection instantly. No Bluetooth list. No repairing. No guessing. Just click → done.
The only heavier part was installing Logi Options+, which is their customization software. It lets you remap buttons, change gestures, tweak scroll behavior, and even do cross-device copy-paste. I haven’t fully used the cross-computer features yet, but it’s nice knowing it’s there.
How the MX Keys Mini Feels After Daily Use
The MX Keys Mini feels very close to the keyboard on recent MacBooks. If you’re used to that low-profile, quiet, crisp travel, this is almost identical. I type most of the day, and this keyboard has zero friction for me.
A few notes:
- The keys are stable and don’t wobble
- Backlight works well and isn’t too bright
- Layout is compact but not cramped
- The device switching keys replace a couple of function keys, but I don’t miss them at all
If you’re used to mechanical keyboards, this will feel soft, but not in a bad way. It’s fast, consistent, and comfortable for long hours. More importantly, it solved my “one keyboard per device” problem without forcing me to rethink how I type.
The MX Master 3S: Great for macOS, Windows, and Even Gaming
This mouse surprised me. It looks a little weird at first (some people even call it “ugly”), but functionally it’s great:
- The scroll wheel is smooth and fast
- The side scroll wheel is useful for horizontal navigation
- The thumb button instantly reveals windows on macOS
- The shape is comfortable for long sessions
- It tracks just fine on my desk without a mouse pad
For gaming:
I play mostly RTS and strategy games these days, and the mouse works well for that. If you’re into competitive shooters, there are lighter and more specialized mice out there, but for normal gaming it’s solid.
The claims that the mouse is ugly still make me laugh a bit. It’s a tool — it lives in your hand. Not on a shelf.
Why This Combo Works So Well for Multi-Device Workflows
Here’s what actually changed:
- I don’t have to think about switching computers
- Everything feels the same no matter which OS I’m on
- My desk looks cleaner with one keyboard and one mouse
- Bluetooth headaches are gone
- macOS gestures are well-supported
- The Windows workflow didn’t suffer, which was a surprise
Logi Options+ adds extra flexibility if you want it. I kept the default setup for now, but later I might map custom shortcuts for development tasks.
One Month In: Real-World Impressions
After four weeks of daily use, I’m convinced this was the right upgrade.
I don’t think about input devices anymore. They work, and when I switch computers, they follow me. The keyboard feels great to type on. The mouse is smooth and precise. Nothing about the experience feels “wireless fragile”, which is rare for Bluetooth setups.
The best part is the mental relief. Switching from work to personal stuff or from macOS to Windows used to feel like changing rooms. Now it feels like switching browser tabs.
No regrets at all.
Key Takeaways
- MX Keys Mini + MX Master 3S is one of the easiest ways to run a multi-device setup
- Switching between Mac and Windows only takes one button press
- The keyboard feels close to Apple’s own laptops
- The mouse is a strong all-rounder for work and casual gaming
- Logi Options+ expands what you can do with gestures and custom actions
- Great value for around €150 total
Some Notes About the Downsides
Nothing is perfect, so here are a few realistic drawbacks:
- The MX Keys Mini does not have a number pad (fine for me, annoying for some)
- The keyboard only charges via USB-C, no wireless charging
- The mouse uses Logi’s “silent clicks”, which I like, but not everyone does
- You need the Logi Options+ software for advanced features
None of these bothered me, but they’re worth mentioning if you’re researching.
Where I’m Taking This Next
I’m planning to customize the setup a bit more with Logi Options+. I want to experiment with:
- app-specific button mappings
- gesture changes for window management
- cross-device copy-paste
I’m also curious how well the keyboard and mouse hold up after 6–12 months. If anything interesting happens, I’ll write an update.
For now, this upgrade solved a daily annoyance that I honestly should’ve fixed earlier. If you’re in a similar multi-device situation, this setup is an easy recommendation.
