Brydge 12.3 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... or b) 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 concerned The 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 wanted something to keep my surface upright. I had a normal Microsoft keyboard but I hated it because it would just constantly close on me, especially if I had it on my lap. It would only work really if it was on a flat surface. And even then, it was at a fixed angle which didn't work for me. I decided to try this out. It was on sale and I said why not? Here's what I think about it: PROS: works as expected. The fixed angle is no longer a problem, as it can go as far down or as far up as you need it. The keyboard is nice to use, feels very well made and easy to use. When the case is closed, it folds down flat and doesn't damage anything. CONS: The main issue I have with this case is that the Bluetooth takes way too long to connect to my computer. I have to sit there constantly pressing the space bar after I turn my computer on. It takes longer than it should. Another frustrating thing is that the trackpad makes the mouse move very slow almost? It feels glitchy and choppy. It's not smooth if that makes sense. Also, you can tell that the sides where the clamps are holding the screen kind of put pressure on the corners. You can tell that it's doing that when you turn the computer on and the black screen starts the startup, and the corners have a whiter color due to the pressure. Other than those things, this case is almost perfect. I wish that the Bluetooth and the trackpad were better, but compared to the old system that I had, this is a lot better. If you can live with the issues mentioned above like I can, I think you should go for it.

This keyboard arrived damaged. I don't think it happened in transit - I think it shipped that way from the company. I didn't notice it right away, but the bottom left corner was not securely attached, and it effected the use of the touchpad (once I figured out how to turn it on using Fn-Alt). Also, the little rubber bump on the left side was missing, presumably down into the inside of the keyboard, due to the gapping issue. Although I like the keyboard, I wanted to return it and get another one because, you know, this is supposed to be new, even if the issues are livable. When I went through the return process, I noticed that I was supposed to pay for the return shipping. I got a good deal on this keyboard - only $27 (I know some of you paid like $127, so how can I complain), but that means that spending $10-$15 shipping it back leaves a net return of $12-$17. Although I'm kind of miffed at that, I'll admit that the keyboard, even in its present condition, is worth more than that to me - so I guess I'll just keep it. Like I say - I love the keyboard, I'm just mad at the company for not taking care of this on their dime instead of mine. Now that that's out of my system - I'll tell you about the keyboard. I was/am still a bit worried that the hinges will someday crack the screen on my 6pro - I can see how that could happen if you just grab the screen and slam it shut. That glass screen isn't meant to take that kind of pressure, concentrated in a little spot like that. But I leave mine open on my desk most of the time, and I'm going to think about that every time that I do close it, so I don't anticipate a problem. It certainly isn't going to crack the screen by just sitting there, as it's not that tight (it's tight enough, it's just not clamped on or anything like that). I was a bit nervous to get a bluetooth keyboard, because I can't stand the lag that I have always noticed in the ones that I have used before. But I don't have that problem with this keyboard. If it has a lag between the time that I hit a key to wake it up and it starts to register that keystroke on the screen, I haven't noticed it. Good for them. The touchpad is also very responsive. The keyboard feels pretty good, but I notice that I get a significant number of double letters while I'm typing. Is this me or the keyboard? It doesn't happen to me on other keyboards, so I assume it's the keyboard. I wrote this review using the keyboard, and probably had about 20-30 double letters that I had to go back and correct. Perhaps as I get more accustomed to the keyboard, that will abate. The hinges raise the keyboard on a slight slant, so that is nice - as far as it goes. Unfortunately, the slant is not as great as I am accustomed to (I have always used the ridiculously-priced Microsoft type keyboard, which has more of a slant), so I feel like I really have to reach for the upper-two rows of keys. I'm sure I'll get used to that. I am pleased with the weight of the keyboard. I realize that greater weight in the keyboard increases the overall weight of the tablet, but I was more concerned that when I leaned the screen back, the entire thing would fall over backwards because the screen outweighed the keyboard by too great an amount. There is no such problem here - I'm able to position the screen at normal usage angles and it doesn't feel like it's going to fall over. So I'll finish where I started - I love the keyboard, but I wish I had one that wasn't broken. If the company is listening - Hey! Make this right. Right?

When I got the keyboard, I was amazed. Small size, Thin, fits perfectly to my Surface Pro 7. I can use it attached or detached, feels comfortable, easy to pair, Charges with USB-C (major plus) There was no real downside, I was perfectly happy and very pleased. But after a week and a half, the track pad stopped working properly, it would lag, or skip, or move randomly and click on random things. I even tried pairing it to another Surface that I have, and then another laptop just to be sure it wasn't the device. The case was the same for all of them. So I turned off the track pad (another great feature of the keyboard) and just used a mouse. But What if I want to use my Surface on the couch or bed, and not to mention, this is an expensive product. If I'm going to spend this much on a keyboard and trackpad I want all parts of it to work! So I got a replacement. But get this, There is an issue with the new one's trackpad too! this one wont click right! whenever I right click or left click it clicks both. So its a gamble whenever I click something if its going to Right click it or left click it. or sometimes it wont right click at all. So very cool product if it worked properly. it gives me an actual keyboard (not a thin flimsy cover keyboard, but something with a backbone) if I want to use my surface on the couch or bed. It turns my Surface Pro 7 into a pseudo-laptop, or I can detach it and use it like that. but Its a keyboard/trackpad combo and on 2 out of 2 devices the trackpad part doesn't work!! I'm kinda heartbroken because I wanted to love this so badly!! It truly would have given me the best of both worlds with the Surface, a touch tablet with a pen and a laptop. But seriously, why cant they send me one with a trackpad that works! I'm currently deciding on whether or not I want to just send it back and get a refund or try for another replacement to see if the third one they send me will work.

I've owned this Keyboard for a little over a year now. I bought it back when it was $150, and I've never felt it was a waste of money; while I'm unsure if the quality has diminished or they're just dumping an old product, the new price point should make it a must-have for any surface pro. For background, I'm a Computer Engineering Major at a university with an emphasis in Cyber Security. With that being said, I do a lot of heavy note courses and coding assignments on my personal laptop. Ever since changing to this keyboard, I've never gone back. I typically run through the battery on the thing once a week, so that should explain how much this sucker Is on and running. 1 Year, heavy use, no issues. The battery is outstanding, and when I'm not constantly on the computer, it lasts forever. All of the lights work, the keyboard types just as fast as the cover, and the integrated mouse has some small lag but nothing major and something you get used to if you're forced to use it. The keys still look new. And the hinges and computer slides have held up with multiple attaches and detaches a day. They don't even peel my matte screen protector on the laptop. I use my computer as a desktop at home with multiple monitors and a docking stand, then as a laptop while out and about or at lectures. And then even as a notebook for my advanced math courses, and let me tell you what. This keyboard gets questions in every class I have with people with Surface Pro 7's. This thing allows such flexibility. Desktop Keyboard at a desk, laptop keyboard in class, or cars. Turns the surface pro into a much more versatile machine. Again, don't question. Just get it and realize you've now got the best of both laptop, tablet, and desktop all in one.

I don't think I've ever had such a love-hate relationship with a product. I spent a good chunk of change to buy a Surface and desperately wanted to use it as my primary computer, but I realized the kickstand functionality didn't cut it for me. I like to work while sitting on the couch or laying in bed, and even though it's possible to prop the Surface up on your lap with the kickstand, it's awkward and non-ideal. When I purchased this Brydge keyboard, it was like magic. It finally allowed me to use my Surface as a traditional laptop. The action on the keys is great - better than the keys on the official Microsoft type cover keyboard. The aluminum body has a premium look and feel. I like the weight of it. The battery lasts for a ridiculously long time. I'd estimate that I charged it less than once a month while using my Surface as my primary computer. Plus, I might be imagining it, but I think it slightly extended the battery life on my Surface since the Surface did not need to feed power to the keyboard. Unfortunately, the Brydge has significant problems that prevent it from being the magical accessory it could be. Most alarmingly, it damaged my Surface over time. My Surface started to lose touch functionality on parts of the screen. After months of use, it also caused a small, superficial crack in the corner of the screen. I think you can probably avoid this type of damage by manually pulling the screen holders apart so they are not squeezing the touch screen so tightly. But it's hard to strike the balance between ensuring a tight enough grip that the Surface doesn't fall out but a loose enough grip to avoid damage. The Brydge also seems to have a defect where the charging port becomes dislodged from the aluminum frame of the keyboard and recesses into the frame so that a charger can no longer make contact with it. I went through three Brydge keyboards because the charging port broke on the first two. That's also how I realized that Brydge was bought out by another company and stopped providing warranty coverage or support for these Surface keyboards. But I think it speaks to how much potential this product has that I bought three of them despite the serious flaws and the actual damage it was causing to my Surface before finally buying a real laptop. If Microsoft wasn't so greedy, they would just sell a product like this that fits the Surface perfectly.

I previously purchased a Brydge Bluetooth Keyboard for my Microsoft Surface Pro, which lasted me for about ten years. It's a great little keyboard! Sleek profile but not too compact. I took this thing everywhere when I was in college and completing my internship. The one I replaced only started to break this month, the track pad stopped working, there was a crack in the plastic near one of the hinges, some of the screws were loose, and three of the four non-slip pads on the bottom were missing. Even at full price, considering the longevity and durability of the keyboard, I highly recommend it!