Customer Ratings & Reviews

It is very good and connects quickly but it’s a little to oversized for the pro 7. Works great though.

Suppose you want to turn your Surface Pro 3 or 4 into a laptop, but the likes of Microsoft’s specially designed keyboards isn’t meeting your needs. There are plenty of options out there, but as far as this review is concerned, we will take a deeper dive into the Brydge 12.3 Wireless Keyboard for the Surface Pro 3. The device came to me with no charge—but after a short time connected to a USB charger using the provided Micro-USB cable, all was right again in the world and I was ready to get started with pairing and attaching it to my SP3. The pairing process was smooth and simple, a standard 6-digit entry code provided by my Surface and we were off to the races. The physical connection, though, was a bit more involved. The Byrdge 12.3 uses a pair of independently-hinged channels that hug (very snugly) the edge of the Surface. Out of the box, the keyboard comes with extra-thick rubber padding installed on the channels to accommodate the thinner body of the SP4—but included in the box is an alternate pair of rubber pads that can be swapped out with the pre-installed ones. It took a little bit of concentration to ensure the pads were properly seated—but once installed I was able to slide my Surface right into the channels and start it up. Annoyingly—upon startup, there was a small light-bleed effect on the edge of the screen near where the channels were obviously pinching too tight on the device. Now, I’ll admit, the dbrand skin installed on the back of my Surface could have impacted the thickness of the whole device in a way to cause said pinching—but I had to manually “stretch” the channels to accommodate a little more thickness while preventing the light-bleed effect. A minor setback, and one that you only have to tolerate once—but still it would be nice if the included feet accounted for an appropriately sized device. dbrand skins are pretty thin so I wouldn’t think that the change would be that impactful. A few more comments about form factor. If you’re a Surface user, you know these things aren’t all that light—I mean sure, they’re compact and easy to carry in a bag, but turning it into a true laptop would require a base that offsets the weight of the “screen” component, in order to prevent tipping when using the touchschreen. And, in order to do that effectively, the weight of the base (if it occupies the same overall footprint) would have to be slightly greater than the weight of the Surface without it. The net effect here is a doubling of your current device’s weight, which is something to consider if you already carry around a bunch of stuff. I’d guess that the hinge design of the channels that hold the Surface is partly to credit for the execution of a base that isn’t overtly heavy—pushing some of the weight shift to the bottom of the keyboard, and raising the back level slightly in order for a minimally more ergonomic feel. It’s a very nice design overall, albeit a bit of a heavy one. And finally, to cover the hinge itself—from a durability standpoint I have no immediate concerns, as it seems these hinges are strong enough to take some abuse from opening/closing frequently and also capturing additional impacts from using the touch screen while in this “laptop” form factor. I think it’s an interesting design choice to make the hinges independent from one another—which may or may not be a decision around durability. In either case, the hinge is solid-feeling and while opening the “laptop” requires two hands, very few manufacturers have mastered that to begin with. On to the feel of the keyboard and the corresponding trackpad. In general I like the “clackiness” of the keys, in their chiclet style, and the spacing is perfect for my hands. One of the biggest downfalls to tablet keyboards is often in the size arena, and I’m happy to report that this keyboard has good key spacing, enough to make it comfortable for long periods of typing (writing reviews, perhaps…). I will admit, during my initial use I was a bit turned off from the keyboard because of how hard I found I had to press on the keys—but this is largely in part due to regularly using and typing on the new MacBook Pro keyboards with the second-gen butterfly hinges. The Brydge 12.3 is certainly not in the same category, but key travel is still reasonable and comfortable once you spend some time with it. The keyboard is also a backlit one, with 3 levels of backlighting based upon your needs. Personally, I’m not a huge backlit keyboard fan in general, but I understand the appeal and the importance of providing the option—so kudos to Brydge for that. Otherwise, the key set is relatively standard, with function keys that double as multimedia keys—an option that can be toggled with a function-lock shortcut. The trackpad seems to be glass and is extremely responsive and sensitive to the touch. I’ve been jaded over the years by the amazing trackpads that Apple puts out on its laptops—and I find this one a suitable competitor, if only a bit on the small side. It’s still totally usable, and the Windows 10 gestures are fully functional as well. And while I know this is totally a matter of personal preference, I really don’t like trackpads that have a physical click. I understand that there are certain things, like click-drag and drop, that are very hard to do without a physical click, but it’s just not my style. The physical click on this trackpad is one you really have to work for, and it seems that the right side of the trackpad is devoted to a right-click when physically pressed, although not with 100% accuracy. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t; it’s probably just a matter of getting used to it. But, all the negative aside—it is a very good trackpad that requires very little adjustment to make it truly great. So in general, the input experience—both with the keyboard and the trackpad—is very good. The build quality is good, the keys are responsive and clacky with the right amount of travel. But what about the “laptop” experience? Too often, add-on keyboards for tablets make for a not-so-great design that sits awkward in the lap, if it even can. Take for instance the Surface Type covers—or the Surface Pro in general—it is just not ideal for use in your lap. The same can be said for the iPad Pro keyboard covers which make for an acceptable, certainly not ideal, lap experience; and in general, if you don’t have a table or desk to work on, it’s not a great time. The same cannot be said for the Brydge 12.3, at least not initially. Due to the keyboard’s heft, it makes lap use reasonably comfortable. The size of the keyboard makes it usable for someone with larger legs (if that sentence doesn’t make sense to you—move on; the people who understand will appreciate the sentiment). On the surface (**wink**), it’s a relatively good experience. Where that experience starts to break down, though, is on extended use: the hinged channels protrude downward from the bottom of the keyboard, which has two results: First, on a flat surface, it slightly raises the back of the keyboard for a more ergonomic experience (mentioned that before); but second, during lap use, the protrusion digs into your legs a little bit and can get uncomfortable over time. This is easily remedied with a binder under the device during lap use, or if you want to get one of those fancy lap-boards, or if you’re like me you can use your MacBook Pro. It’s also worth mentioning that, since the computer component of the laptop is all in the screen, there is zero temperature impact to your legs while using this on your lap, something that can’t be said for most laptops. The only other complaint—and I’m fishing here—is the inclusion of two rubber feet on the top of the keyboard surface, in the lower left and right corners, that serve as a cushion for the Surface’s screen when the device is in the closed position. It’s a minor thing, but recognizing that including them is more good than bad, sometimes when typing your wrists slide across the feet and can be a little bit uncomfortable. Again, not a huge deal, but still worth mentioning. Based upon my recent experience with just how good a machine the Surface Pro 3 is, even a few years old, even refurbished, I think the ideal user is someone who already has one of these tablets that really wants that true laptop experience. No, when closed it doesn’t sit completely flat—but it does a good enough job transforming your tablet into a laptop screen. And as I’ve mentioned, Microsoft’s Type Covers don’t always help you in all scenarios—specifically, during lap use. They are a little bit cheaper than the Brydge 12.3, but not enough to justify the loss in adaptability. And from a durability perspective, I wouldn’t expect them to outlast Brydge’s product. Other than that, there aren’t a ton of competitors that offer a similar product. Brydge also offers an upgraded model with an SSD, which you can consider if you went after the base model Surface like I did. If you already have a keyboard for your surface, and you’re relatively satisfied with it—this may not be the route you go for now. At the price point it delivers, and you might consider it to upgrade it and give it a new look—or even to provide some additional performance while on a business trip, or any other time you’d lean more toward long stretches of keyboard or mouse use with your Surface. If you’re in the market for a tablet and have limited funds—I’d encourage you again to see my previous review on the refurb SP3 unit and consider that as an entry-level option; adding the Brydge 12.3 keeps your investment under $500, a

My daughter is in college and has a Surface Pro and loves it, but had trouble with the flexible keyboard. She couldn’t use it while setting in her lap. She bought this keyboard and it works perfect. She was so happy with it!

I wanted to love this product because it turned my new surface pro into an actual laptop. There are a couple things I like about it; it can sit on my lap, and the key spacing is nice. What I don't like is how it pitches the screen of my surface pro, it also skips keys. And the mouse pad is awful. It's small and not responsive. I will not buy another one. I will get the Microsoft type cover when I get fed up with this one

Sitting here typing this review on the new Brydge 12.3 keyboard, and my first thoughts are, man, these chicklet keys feel great! Brydge has brought their keyboard technology to the Surface Pro series, in an attempt at offering a more flexible and feature rich option for users. Extending the functionality of the iPad is one thing (adding a keyboard for use in email and office related apps), but the Surface presents its own challenges. The operating system offers much more functionality, and that functionality must be accounted for in the best possible experience. Heck, Microsoft already has a keyboard peripheral that is normally sold/purchased on a 1 to 1 basis. I view it as a tall task. The first thing I noticed about this device was the packaging itself. Premium packaging, period. Definitely on par with the Surface device packaging, magnetic box and all – excellent. There is a short but concise instruction sheet, a charging cable, and additional shims (used to attach the tablet to the keyboard). Once I pulled the device out, I immediately could feel the tremendous build quality of the Brydge. It just has that feeling of pristine sturdiness. It is very well built. It feels almost like the magnesium alloy on the Surface – close, but not quite. One thing I noticed, the edges can be a bit sharp, especially the front edge in my case. Not sure if that is consistent across devices, but it’s worth noting. The Brydge 12.3 is a wireless keyboard, using Bluetooth. To get up and running, you must pair the device. It was very easy to put the device in pair mode, but it didn’t initially show in the list as stated in the instructions. I found a generic keyboard in the list, tapped it, and was asked to enter a code on the device. It was a little weird doing so, as the Brydge doesn’t have its own visual interface, but it is clearly noted in the instructions. It worked like a charm, and I was ready to start using the keyboard, or was I? The Brydge uses rubber shims in a stiff hinge to attach to the Surface Pro. The default shims (installed) are designed for the Surface Pro 4. If you are a Surface Pro 3 owner, like me, you will have to remove these shims and replace them with the thinner version. They are provided in the box. After pulling the shims off, it left paper covered glue on the hinges, but the instructions even cover that, encouraging the user to not even worry about the residue. I would say, overall, the setup process was straight forward and fairly easy. Well, how does it perform. Very well, I must say. A very responsive and comfortable keyboard with decent key travel. This thing is nice to type on, with snappy keys, great feedback, and well spaced chicklets, it really feels great. Granted, I have the Type Cover 2, not the newest one, but I loved the experience on it. This though, feels a little Mac Air'ish. I like the layout as well, which is pretty standard, and there isn't an overuse of dual function keys - that can at times be irritating. It has a decent trackpad as well, albeit small. It is very responsive, and functions accurately. Has a decent feel as well. I would love to see adjustments to allow a larger one. Using it in lap is very easy as the hinge radius matches that of the Surface kickstand, and it is heavy enough to prevent easy tipping. About that weight... This thing is heavy, and it adds considerable weight to the Surface Pro experience - thickness too. For lack of a better word, I would call it a necessary evil. You need the weight to give more of that laptop feel and prevent tipping, but when you are accustomed to your device weighing about half of the new total weight, it is a bit of a shock. Well, you know a device is good when I am still carrying the weight, at least for now. Some will be turned off by this, but if you look at the purpose behind the device, you buy one or you don't, not test the purpose itself. That's my thinking. I was close to not giving 5 stars, not because the functionality didn't measure up to the intent, but because of what I feel could have been. For instance, because there is so much weight in the base, why not leverage the compartment for additional battery to extend the battery life of the Surface Pro? I feel Brydge could have leveraged the magnetic expansion port on the tablet to not only provided extended use, but power the device as well. There could be licensing issues, but couldn't this have been worked out? I can tell you from my experience, at home and definitely at work (international company that is handing these out daily as device of issue), that would have caused these things to sell like hot cakes. After using this for nearly a work week, I must say that I can't ding it for those things. It is an excellent option that performs admirably, and is a worthy alternative to the Type Cover. There is also a version with a 128GB hard drive included - hopefully, that is a sign of things to come. For all you laptop lovers that have a Surface Pro 3 or 4, and you are looking for that old "loving feeling, ohhhh that loving feeling", this thing is for you. Even if you really like the type cover, the Brydge 12.3 offers quite a bit of flexibility in comparison. I think it is well worth the purchase.

Wanted a keyboard for my Surface Pro 4 that would keep the screen up without needing the kickstand. I use mine a lot on the couch and in bed and the kickstand doesn't work comfortably for me... this is the perfect solution.

Keyboard is constructed well. From aluminum. Feels a lot like the Surface book. Overall my wife loves the choice and we would recommend. 9.99 replacement plan recommend.

The Brydge keyboard for Surface is amazing. It finally gives that real true to life Keyboard for the Surface Pro. While I only tried it for the Surface Pro 3 and not 4, it works wonders for my tablet giving me all the Fn keys I need. Not only that this brings the Surface to a more modern age as well. The construction is very solid and strong. It feels wonderful to hold and use. Making the Surface more in line with a MacBook. Hinges seems like they are built to last. The look and feel of the feedback is satisfying from the keys with each key press. Best part about this keyboard it also have a very smooth to the touch trackpad. This company have proven themselves to me. It connects instantly and there is very little delay with key press. I also use it as a kickstand for watching movies and YouTube videos. Backlight keys are well lit and much needed on a keyboard like this and gives you 3 levels of brightness. Downside is that the keyboard with the Surface brings the weight up but not to uncomfortable levels. Honestly this thing is amazing and I can't even picture myself not using it with the Surface. If you want to make your Surface in a laptop this would be the keyboard to get and much better then the Microsoft own keyboard. I would totally recommend it for anybody with a Surface Pro.

I bought my surface pro 3 about 2.5 years ago and loved it but the keyboard always left me wanting more. The brydge fixes all of that.

My surface pro 3 hasn't really been my go-to laptop. It has great performance, but the type cover wasn't as useful as I hoped. In reality, the type cover requires a firm surface for it to be useful. I got this Brydge keyboard for it, and now it is really a viable notebook. This keyboard is substantial; it has a good amount of weight, the keys are a good size, and the key action is really good. The backlight keyboard is a great bonus. Now I have way better performance, while keeping portability and versatility. The keyboard was really easy to attach and connect. It has rubber feet on the bottom so it doesn't slide around on the table. The hinges are firm and allow it to be at any angle. I can actually use it on my lap. This is highly recommended.

I was looking for a keyboard and stand to use my surface pro like a Laptop during business meetings. This product satisfied both. I am using it more than a year and it is worth money spend.

This is a keyboard I wanted to love. Offering my Surface Pro 4 the option to be a tablet or real laptop is very appealing. While this keyboard may seem a little heavy, it nicely balances the Surface Pro. The layout of the keys seem reasonable but will require a few key location adjustments. Unfortunately, my first keyboard was defective and constantly repeated keys. While the replacement was significantly better I still struggle with a defective ALT key that does not work consistently and the F key requires a beating before cooperating. Next I tried typing, which is typically around 80 words per minute. The key responses were inconsistent and made me significantly less productive because I had to fix typo problems. I tried the same test with my Surface Type Cover and didn't encounter the same problem or typos. If you are a key pounder or hunt-and-peck typist, this may be a great solution. However, if you fly over the keys make sure you give it a good run before committing to your purchase.

This does everything advertised & then so much more. Keys are quiet, touchpad is perfect. Backlighting on the keyboard is very bright at its lowest setting.

I thought the key board was lit in the dark.maybe there is a way ad I haven't found it

Lasted for 9 months with heavy usage. Keys started falling off and the hinge broke

The preorder process wasn’t as efficient as we hoped but the product was/is excellent. People purchasing surface pro computer tablets should be turned to the product.

I wanted to love this keyboard out of the box, but as good as it is, there’s room for improvement. What to love first. The backlit keys are great with 3 levels of light as well as the ability to turn it off to save battery life. The keyboard itself is responsive and for me, the keys seem to work well. I have trouble typing on most keyboards, learning to type on typewriters leaves me wanting a better response than most I’ve tried. The Brydge unit works and creates that laptop feel, but I got to say it’s a bit thick and heavy for my taste. Being able to not use the kickstand is a plus and the hinges on the Brydge are able to support the screen at any angle the user needs. What would have made this a must have. Auxiliary battery and Usb ports. If you are going to pigtail the surface to the keyboard (for those that have the additional 128gb storage, you should take advantage of that and have additional ports. As stated, the thing is heavy and too thick for my taste. It’s useable, but the surface is meant to be light and portable, not a laptop and that’s exactly what this turns the surface into. I could have just bought the surface laptop for the same price is that’s what I was looking for. All in all, the keyboard does what you expect it to do. If you have a surface and wish to use it as a laptop at times, this will definitely fit the bill. If you’re looking for a little bit better keyboard and tired of the kickstand, again go get this unit. But if you’re happy with the surface and the Microsoft keyboard works for you, this is a bit pricey to add to your collection of toys.

I purchased for my mother as a Christmas present! She really enjoys the key board, as she uses it for he second job! Great Gift

Again, easy to use and makes my mac better ok screenneady to see at any angle.

Best mouse on the market if you travel with your notebook/tablet. No lump in your case.