Brydge12.3 Pro Bluetooth Keyboard with Trackpad for Microsoft Surface Pro (Black)

Those of us who own Microsoft Surface tablets love and loath them.We love them because they are powerful, thin, light, and fun to use.We loath them because they aren't quite a laptop, even with the MS clip-on keyboard cover. The kickstand idea looks good on paper, but how many of us really use tablets as tablets and not like ad-hoc laptops? Without a keyboard, you are basically wasting 80% of the Surface's power. Just go buy an iPad if all you want is a tablet. You'll be happier with it if all you're doing is watching streaming video or reading books.But if what you want is a modular tablet/keyboard combo to get you the power of a laptop with the versatility of a laptop, you really only have a couple of options.a) You buy Micro$oft's keyboard/cover combo, which is decent enough, but doesn't really solve that painful kickstand problem when you try to use it as a pseudo-laptop...orb) You buy a bluetooth keyboard/folio combo, which is usually a major kludge and chock full of compromises. Performance suffers and the whole thing just looks cheap. Why spend $800 on a Surface when it winds up looking like you stuffed it into a cheap pleather case with a crappy bluetooth keyboard.Enter option c) The Brydge 12.3 Pro+ bluetooth keyboard. This is the first and only (to my knowledge) keyboard that actually makes the Surface act more like a SurfaceBook. You slip the Surface into the clips that hold it snugly to the keyboard, you pair up the Bluetooth, you get typing. I'm typing this review on it, BTW. In the world of keyboard options the Brydge 12.3 Pro+ is...a) An incredible keyboard (super comfortable with a decent amount of spring to the keys)b) Well balanced (it has enough weight to keep the tablet part from tipping it over)c) Seems very stable as far as the Bluetooth connection is concernedThe pros are obvious. For the first time the Surface behaves like a true laptop without the cheap pleathery case/combo feel.The cons are a little tougher to define, but they get down to the central issue. If you want a true SurfaceBook, get ready to spring another $500 to get into the ballpark. This does not make the Surface a SurfaceBook. The surface doesn't "clip" into the Brydge the way the MS keyboard/cover clips onto the Surface. The Brydge uses small-ish tabs at the lower corners of the surface to "cinch" the Surface into place. They are silicone coated clips that provide a snug, but not "clicked" point of connection with the tablet. In other words, the tablet *can* slip free, especially if you do what I did and try to add a sticker to the back of your Surface to protect that beautiful aluminum case from scratches. Then, what you'll wind up doing is also what I did, cutting away pieces of that beautiful skin so the clips maintain perfect, flat contact with the back of the Surface. After I put the skin on and tried to clip the Surface into the Brydge, the clips failed to make perfect contact, so the silicone coating wouldn't grip and the tablet slipped right out.But, if you do buy a skin and spend a few moments creating a template to cut the corners out before you apply it to your Surface, the silicone clips on the Brydge will maintain a reasonably snug connection with the tablet and you will have all the functionality of a slim, powerful laptop with a solid, author-approved keyboard.Bottom line, the Brydge 12.3 Pro+ keyboard for the Microsoft Surface Pro line of tablets is an incredible value, a solid performer, and perfectly funtional. Just buy a decent skin for the back of your Surface and make sure the silicone-covered pads that hold the Surface in place have complete contact with the tablet case and you'll enjoy the best of both worlds. The tablet functionality of the Surface when you need it, and the keyboard comfort of a laptop for the 80% of real world purposes that we buy a Surface for in the first place.Highly recommended.

UPDATE: After a couple of more months of use, I still like this keyboard a lot, and still recommend it as a great buy. Yes, it sometimes briefly loses the Bluetooth connection, which is not a problem, but sometimes that lost connection can last for several minutes, which can be frustrating. Occasionally it will double-type a letter. It's not a problem if you proofread, as most people do, but it can happen. Finally, a tiny screw came out of the back (one of 16 screws there, so it had no effect), but I mention it so the company can have a talk with their manufacturer. A screw falling out isn't a good look.MY PREVIOUS REVIEW: Yes, as some have noted, it's heavy, but that's because it's a solidly built, impressive keyboard. My old original (and light) Surface keyboard was literally shredding at the edges and the letters on often-used keys had literally disappeared, so I needed a new keyboard. This Brydge was the least expensive by far, but seemed worth a try... and I'm glad I got it.I've used it frequently and for long periods for more than a week, so it's gotten a good workout. Setup was quick, easy, and intuitive. Both the keyboard and the trackpad have been immediately responsive: no lags at all (and just as instant as on Microsoft's original keyboard). The battery life has been very impressive (still strong after a week of frequent use). On the downside, it lost contact with the computer a couple of times, but it was easily and quickly restored (once it re-contacted itself after a short pause). And it is much heavier than Microsoft's original flimsy keyboard, as others have noted. This keyboard is NOT flimsy. On the plus side, after you attach it (which also was very easy, and it fit perfectly) you really feel like you have a brand new laptop (because it's heavier than the Surface "tablet" you had gotten used to.Bottom line: It works, it's well-made, and it looks like it cost well over $100. I recommend it.

I'm really happy with this keyboard. It's easy to use and easy to set up. It works and feels just like a normal laptop keyboard. I've always resented my surface pro 7 because of the flimsy keyboard and the leg on the back, which makes it hard to use on your lap. Someone picked out my laptop for me and for years, I've always hated not being able to use my surface pro like a normal laptop. This keyboard finally lets me use it like a real laptop. I don't have to prop anything up or worry about it falling over, it holds up the weight of my tablet perfectly and I can use it just like a normal Dell or HP laptop. I'm very happy with this for $18, only regret is that I didn't find this years ago. Quality, functionality, ease of use, appearance, and price are all great.