After eight years, Apple has finally redesigned its Wireless Keyboard. The Magic Keyboard ($99) has a sleeker frame than its predecessor, and adds rechargeable batteries and firmer key switches. It also offers an instant-pairing process with your Mac desktop or laptop, and includes a Lightning-to-USB cable that lets you both charge the batteries and use the Magic Keyboard($99.00 at Amazon) wired. Just make sure to try the keyboard out for an extended session if you can, as its keystroke is shallower than the older model, which may take some getting used to.
Design and Features
The keyboard is quite tiny, even smaller than the compact Apple Wireless Keyboard. It measures 0.43 by 10.98 by 4.52 inches (HWD) and weighs about 8 ounces. Unfortunately, like the previous iteration, it's too narrow for a separate numeric keypad, but the function keys in the top row and the left and right directional keys are now full-size (they used to be half-height).The keyboard is fashioned out of matte aluminum, which matches the finish of the Apple iMac 21.5-inch with 4K Retina Display( at Amazon) and the Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (2015)($999.00 at Amazon). The bottom is made of white plastic, with feet to keep it from sliding around. There's a window on the keyboard facing away from you, for the internal Bluetooth antenna. The keyboard is quite thin, tapering from 0.43 inch in the back to 0.16 inch in the front because Apple doesn't have to design around AA batteries anymore.
One of the largest complaints against wireless keyboards in general is their reliance on AA or AAA batteries which can deplete quickly. The Magic Keyboard eliminates them by using a sealed internal battery pack. There's a Lightning port on the front panel, which connects to the included cable. You can use the keyboard while it's charging and connected to your system, but you'll likely use it wirelessly via Bluetooth 4.0. Note that your system needs to be running OS X El Capitan or later in order to use the keyboard. 
Ergonomics
There is neither a tilt mechanism nor adjustable arms on the keyboard, so you're stuck with the almost-flat orientation. While that gives it a slim, sleek profile, it can be uncomfortable if you're used to typing on a tilted keyboard. The older Apple Wireless Keyboard has some tilt, thanks to the AA battery compartment that raises its back edge. There is no palm rest, so your hands will be resting on your work surface. On the plus side, if you buy an Apple Magic Trackpad 2($129.00 at Amazon), its 0.43-inch max height and 4.52-inch depth matches, so they look great side by side. It also looks good next to the updated Apple Magic Mouse 2($94.99 at Amazon), which now also uses a rechargeable battery.
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Setup
Pairing the Magic Keyboard with your Mac or MacBook is fairly simple. First, make sure your Mac's Bluetooth feature is switched on. Then connect the keyboard to your system via the Lightning-to-USB cable, and turn the keyboard on. This automatically pairs the keyboard via Bluetooth. After the pairing is done, you can disconnect the cable and use the keyboard via Bluetooth. It's a whole lot easier than the old Bluetooth-pairing procedure with previous wireless Apple keyboards, which didn't always work at first try. Once paired, the Magic Keyboard will stay connected to your Mac until you pair it with another system. You can check battery levels and change settings (like key-repeat rate) in your Mac's system preferences. Apple claims a battery life of about a month for the keyboard on a single charge.
Performance
The keys use a tighter scissor-mechanism than most keyboards. They are quieter and wiggle a lot less than than the keys on the last Apple keyboard, which was released in 2007. The keys are not quite as firm as the butterfly mechanism on the Apple MacBook, but there isn't a lot of key travel. It's better than a membrane keyboard like the Logitech Keys-to-Go($38.99 at Amazon), but it's nowhere near as comfortable as the long-throw mechanical switches on the Das Keyboard Model S Professional for Mac. As on the MacBook, if you type with a heavy hand like I do, your fingers will likely tire quickly. I started writing this review on the Magic Keyboard, and had to give up about halfway through and switch to the Logitech Wireless Solar Keyboard K750 for Mac after my knuckles and wrists started to hurt.
Conclusion
On the whole, we'd recommend that you try out the Apple Magic Keyboard at your local Apple Store or Best Buy before you decide on a purchase. It's really a case of love it or hate it. If you like flat, quiet keyboards with short key travel, then you'll love it. The short key travel isn't really to my liking, but feature-wise it is an improvement over the previous-generation Apple Wireless Keyboard, particularly the rechargeable battery, the idiot-proof Bluetooth-pairing procedure, and the ability to use the keyboard wired. On the whole, it's a good keyboard, and a welcome accessory for your Mac or MacBook.
The Apple Magic Keyboard offers a lot of improvements over its predecessor, including a rechargeable battery, instant pairing, and a slimmer frame. But a much shallower keystroke can be uncomfortable if you're a heavy-handed typist.
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