You can finally snag a Magic Keyboard with Touch ID without buying a new iMac

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When Apple released the M1-powered desktop Macs earlier this year, we wondered if the included Touch ID-enabled keyboards would ever get a standalone release.

That question has now been answered, as both Magic Keyboard models with Touch ID are now showing up for sale on Apple’s own storefront.

The $179 Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad and $149 Magic Keyboard with Touch ID are now up for sale on the Apple Store, with the only shipping option seeming to be ship-to-home.

Maybe that means the stock is still on the way to physical Apple Stores, or maybe Apple is trying to limit the number of customers that need to go to a physical location while new variants of COVID-19 are surging around the country.

READ MORE: This USB-C hub expands your iMac with all the ports you’ll need

Either way, you don’t need to buy an M1-powered 24-inch Mac to get the Touch ID enabled Magic Keyboards anymore. You will still need an M1-powered Mac, MacBook, or Mac Mini to use the keyboard though, presumably because Touch ID needs some of the security silicon inside the M1 chip to work.

The only thing? The standalone Magic Keyboard with Touch ID in either size only comes in Apple’s usual silver and white colorway. If you want a colorful Magic Keyboard at this time, you’ll still need to buy an M1-powered desktop Mac in the color you want. Maybe Apple will change that in the future, as we’re sure the market is there for the colorful versions.

Have any thoughts on this? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

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Joe Rice-Jones

Maker, meme-r, and unabashed geek with nearly half a decade of blogging experience at KnowTechie, SlashGear and XDA Developers. If it runs on electricity (or even if it doesn't), Joe probably has one around his office somewhere, with particular focus in gadgetry and handheld gaming. Shoot him an email at joe@knowtechie.com.