New Apple ‘Magic’ Accessories Switch to USB-C
- Apple's colorful new iMac just landed—and yes, there are USB-C accessories to match.
- Magic Mouse is USB-C now, but there’s still a “flip-to-charge” quirk fans love to hate.
- EU’s USB-C mandate has Apple finally retiring Lightning ports—here’s what's new.
Apple has officially updated its popular Magic accessories—the Magic Keyboard, Magic Mouse, and Magic Trackpad—to USB-C, a change aimed at aligning with the European Union’s latest charging standard. The new models arrive as part of Apple’s release of the colorful M4 iMac, opening for pre-orders this week and expected to ship on November 8. This transition, both in iMac and accessories, brings Apple's entire lineup in line with the universal charging standard the EU requires by the end of this year.
Photo via Apple Inc. // Apple's 2024 'Magic' accessories with USB-C are finally here. Pictured: Mint green color.
Color-Matched Accessories
The new M4 iMac is available in seven vibrant colors, continuing the playful aesthetic introduced with the M1 and M3 models. Each iMac comes with matching accessories, including a Magic Keyboard and either a Magic Mouse or Magic Trackpad, all now upgraded to USB-C. Buyers can select between a standard Magic Keyboard or upgrade to one with Touch ID and a numeric keypad for an extra $80. Opting for the Magic Trackpad instead of the Magic Mouse tacks on an additional $50.
Additionally, Apple includes a color-coordinated power cable and a USB-C-to-USB-C charging cable with the iMac purchase. However, like previous models, the color-specific accessories remain exclusive to iMac buyers—standalone purchases are still limited to black or white.
Photo via Apple Inc. // A black Apple Magic Mouse alongside a white Apple Magic Trackpad.
Available Accessories
Apple has retained the pricing on these refreshed models, available now for standalone purchase in either black or white with USB-C:
| Accessory | Price |
|---|---|
| Magic Keyboard with Touch ID + Numeric Keypad | $199 |
| Magic Trackpad | $149 |
| Magic Mouse | $99.99 |
All three accessories are scheduled to ship by October 31 for standalone purchases.
Photo via Apple Inc. // Apple's 2024 Magic Keyboard.
The Lightning Retirement
Apple’s shift away from the Lightning port has been a gradual process, but with this move, nearly all Apple hardware has transitioned to USB-C. The update follows Apple's trend this year, with recent releases like the iPhone, iPad, and MacBook models all now exclusively featuring USB-C.
For Apple’s Magic Mouse, however, one detail remains unchanged—the charging port location. Users have long critiqued the port’s awkward position on the underside of the mouse, which renders it unusable during charging. The positioning, unchanged in this USB-C update, leaves some fans frustrated, as they’ll still need to flip the mouse over to charge it.
According to journalist Brian Heater, “Beyond the port swap, not much has changed about the devices, down to the oft-criticized decision to put port on the bottom of the Magic Mouse.” For Apple enthusiasts, this unchanged quirk is both iconic and frustrating, marking one area where the company’s minimalist design has kept function secondary to form.
What’s Next?
The updated Magic accessories arrive as Apple promises a wave of announcements this week, with rumors swirling around a new, more compact Mac mini. Apple’s incremental shift to USB-C has been widely welcomed, though it leaves room for debate over functionality versus aesthetics—especially with the Magic Mouse’s unchanged design.
With all eyes on Apple’s next steps, fans and critics alike are eager to see whether Apple will address some of the community's usability concerns, particularly with legacy designs like the Magic Mouse. Until then, users are at least assured of consistency in charging standards as Apple complies with EU regulations and fully adopts USB-C for its accessory lineup.
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