Customer Ratings & Reviews

You can’t really pick up a surface without getting the keyboard attachment they go hand in hand much like peanut butter & jelly. I mean you could technically have either or but they just are better together. :::General Impressions::: The surface is a solid product that is well made and it has gotten better with each iteration. The surface keyboard is nothing short of amazing itself. What is so amazing about a keyboard? Well for starters this one isn’t like all the others. This is something that I believe you have to see to believe. I honestly didn’t think that a keyboard attachment would be something that I would see as necessary. While it is true you could use alternatives, I must admit there is nothing like Surface Keyboard. The Alcantara is smooth, soft and feels good on your fingertips. The keys have plenty of spacing, they also feel springy enough to be able to type relatively fast. You will find traditional functions on the F keys such as backlit keyboard toggle. I was surprised to see a backlit keyboard on this keyboard and it works really well. You can set the backlit keyboard to low, medium or high or just turn it off altogether. You have a few volume control keys and brightness control keys as well. The trackpad is large enough and has left and right click functionality which is a plus. It is responsive and not sluggish which is greatly appreciated. The keyboard also functions as a sort of screen protector while the device is closed and not in use. There is also a slot to store and charge the surface pen when not in use. The surface pen is great tool that I use for note taking while using power point, one note or whatever other application that supports stylus input. I am currently taking Biology and I found it to be most helpful while taking notes and drawing on my power point presentations. That is just a small example of how I found this to be useful and helpful :::Pros & Cons::: Pros: - Keyboard is backlit - Media keys (volume & brightness control) - Has a built-in slot to store and charge the surface pen - Keyboard cover doubles as a screen protector - Keyboard is easy to remove & attach - Surface pen is very responsive and enhances the device experience Cons: - My only complaint is that it isn’t included with the device :::Closing thoughts::: The keyboard cover with the surface pen adds to the whole experience so I can honestly see why it is sold separately. If you are able to overlook that small gripe then I think that you would come to really like this just as much as the Surface itself because they are made for one another. I would say ask yourself if you really need the stylus otherwise you can go with the other keyboard covers that are sold. And for those who would choose a more traditional keyboard and mouse then I would recommend the “Microsoft Bluetooth Ergonomic Mouse preferably the Glacier color along with their Designer Compact Keyboard it goes well with the surface Pro 9 platinum. Both items are really portable and fit easily in any bag so don’t feel limited as far as options because your options are open on how you would like to use your Surface device and this keyboard cover is just one of those options. :::TL;DR::: Microsoft made the perfect companion keyboard/cover for the surface. It does more than just type and is the simplest route to go. It may not fit every consumers budget but that is okay too because you can pair your Surface PC with other accessories that Microsoft makes it is a win/win no matter how you look at it.

INTRO: The Surface Pro lineup of tablets aims to showcase Microsoft’s vision of portable computing, but to take your productivity to the next level, Microsoft has developed the Surface Pro Signature Keyboard as well as the Slim Pen 2. Compatible with the Surface Pro 8 as well as the Surface Pro X, these could be must-haves for anyone wanting to take their productivity on the go. UNBOXING: In a world where packaging is often incredibly thick and bulky, Microsoft has opted to make their packaging thin and simple, just like the products in the box. Inside this bundle, you’ll find both the Signature Keyboard and the Slim Pen 2, as well as a paper insert explaining how to use them. In terms of materials SETUP: As the paper insert describes, the setup is simple. Attach the keyboard via the magnetic hinge to the bottom of your Surface tablet. As you bring them close together, they simply snap together with no real effort. I’ve had no issues connecting the keyboard to the tablet. When using it, you’ll want to prop open your Surface tablet’s kickstand before or after snapping the keyboard on. And when you’re done, you can fold the surface over the keyboard like a normal laptop. Alternatively, you can also lay the tablet and keyboard completely flat on a table if you have a strange use-case for that. Meanwhile, the Slim Pen 2 can rest in the wireless charging tray located just above the keyboard deck. More interestingly, when you angle the keyboard at a slant for ergonomics, this can completely hide the Slim Pen 2 from view while you’re focused on keyboard tasks. KEYBOARD: One of the first things I was concerned about with the Signature Keyboard was the Alcantara texture. For those who weren’t aware (as I certainly wasn’t), Microsoft says Alcantara is a “unique and innovative material used in high-end luxury products to bring an unparalleled level of design and sophistication.” I don’t personally know that I care, and I’m sure that if a cheaper non-fabric option was present that delivered a functionally identical experience, I’d probably just buy that. Unfortunately, the Slim Pen 2 wireless charging tray is not available on the original Surface Pro keyboard. I advise you to research experiences from others who have used Alcantara keyboards on other Surface products for much longer than myself. From what I understand, it can get discolored over time, and cleaning it will be more difficult compared to a traditional rubber, plastic or metal keyboard deck. So while I’ve yet to experience this discoloration in my very short time, I should also mention that I don’t typically put my laptop near food or use my laptop with dirty hands. My advice is that you’ll want to baby this keyboard if you want to keep it looking good. But that may also prove to be very challenging for some. Moving on, I really like that this keyboard can be angled up slightly. It’s just a bit more comfortable, as opposed to typing on a completely flat surface. And while I wasn’t sure how quickly I’d catch on to the Signature Keyboard, I’m very pleased to say that I’ve had no learning curve issues. Most of the time, I’ve typed on mechanical keyboards and Apple’s Magic Keyboards, so this is the first time I’ve experienced a Surface keyboard. It’s definitely one of the best in the industry, in my experience. The key spacing is perfectly to my liking. The keys aren’t too far apart, nor are they too crammed. They’re very reasonably spaced, and I can reach my typical speeds of 105+ wpm with very few mistakes and consistent pacing. In terms of key travel, I also feel it’s very good for a chiclet style keyboard. The Signature Keyboard has a nice physical feedback when you bottom out the keys, so you can type with confidence. As for sound, this was clearly designed to be quiet, and it definitely does that very well. The sound is more emphatic in delivering a low-end thunk rather than a typical clicky chiclet sound. This is the kind of keyboard that won’t annoy people around you, which is great for environments where being quiet is absolutely necessary. For those of you who spend time in darker environments, you’ll be glad to know that it does have backlit keys with 3 brightness levels as well as the option to turn off the backlighting, entirely. Another feature I like is that simply tapping the Fn key will toggle the F-keys to be the primary actions over the multimedia keys. So those of you who use F-keys for hotkey functions won’t have to struggle to press Fn every single time. A small LED will light up on the Fn key when you want to use the F-keys, as well. When disabled, the multimedia keys become the default actions, so it’s nice that you have the freedom of choice without having to change a setting in software. Lastly, it should be mentioned that this keyboard operates exclusively via the Surface Connect port on the bottom of your Surface tablet, so it cannot be used while detached from the tablet. PEN: While I haven’t spent nearly as much time with the Slim Pen 2, I will say that it can certainly be useful depending on how you use it. For handwriting to text recognition, I did find that after a short period of time, the handwriting recognition was pretty good, but is prone to some mistakes as both you and the software are acclimating to each other. Drawing on the other hand is much more useful with the Slim Pen 2, whether it’s drawing diagrams using OneNote or doing a Whiteboard session, the Slim Pen 2 does a decent job at being responsive to user input. However, there were times where my screen was a bit smudgy, and that caused friction while trying to draw using the pen, so I recommend having a clean display while using the Slim Pen 2. I also like that it has a shortcut button that you can program to open apps based on a single click, double click, or press and hold. However, this button only works while Bluetooth is enabled on your Surface tablet, so bear that in mind. The Slim Pen 2’s button end also functions as an eraser like a #2 pencil for the apps that support it. Without knowing this, I made a joking attempt to use the blunt end to erase some drawings in Microsoft Whiteboard, and to my surprise, it worked! This is the first time I’ve personally seen this implemented in a digital pen. This all being said, the Slim Pen 2 still has that “plastic against glass” feeling. But there do exist some screen protectors that promise to provide a more paper-like experience for those who frequently use their tablets with a pen. Even so, I found the Slim Pen 2 comfortable to hold, and for me it was best used with the Surface tablet set flat or with the kickstand nearly maxed out. But you may have different preferences. And of course, the fact that it stays magnetically secure in the wireless charging tray within the Signature keyboard makes this combination more seamlessly integrated into your Surface experience. You don’t have to remember to charge it as long as you stow it away in the tray while the keyboard is connected to your Surface Pro tablet. CONCLUSION: I do think that if you are getting a Surface Pro 8 or Surface Pro X tablet and are looking to get both the keyboard and the pen for it, this hardware does a great job. The Signature keyboard is a joy to use, and the integration with the Slim Pen 2 makes it ready-to-use whenever you need to draw a diagram, do some photo editing or drawing, do some math, or draw out a plan for something even more grandiose.

The Surface Pro 8 is mostly usable even without a physical keyboard, but this is a great complement that enables it to shine as a dual purpose device; a full on work-capable PC when you need it, or fold the the keyboard back and away for a more tidy tablet experience -- movies, music, media, reading, etc. The keyboard is fantastic for as thin as it is, I loved the feel and response of the keys. They were satisfactorily tactile for accurate typing but also quiet enough for use in a classroom without broadcasting “Hey everybody, I’m typing over here!” The backlight levels on the keyboard were great for dim-room scenarios. The Pen was impressive too, especially so in Microsoft’s Whiteboard app which you can pull up in seconds simply by clicking the button on the tail end of the Pen. It’s also handy for handwriting-recognition input modes where block or cursive was interpreted very reliably.. except the number 2. Indeed, nearly every time I wrote a 2 it was interpreted as a Z. Even after several days of use I still couldn’t “write” and “get” a 2 reliably. That’s more a function I think of Windows handwriting recognition software than the pen, the pen itself wrote and felt about as natural as could be. In drawing modes the pen provided satisfactory pressure sensitivity for at least basic artistic purposes -- I’m not even especially artistic but I loved the pen and drawing experience so much that I think I drew more pictures and wrote more by hand in the first 24 hours, practicing with the pen, than I have otherwise in the last several years combined. To a real artist I think it’d be a real “love-it or leave-it” scenario. Personally, I loved it and found writing and drawing refreshingly rewarding -- that from someone who otherwise spends 12+ hours a day on a keyboard coding -- BASH, PuTTY, Visual Studio Code, Terraform, etc.

This is the keyboard to get with the new Surface Pro 8. The Surface Pro Keyboard with Slim Pen 2 is comfortable to type on, although it feels somewhat delicate due to its thinness, so if you need to write an angry email, don’t take it out on this keyboard. The built-in trackpad is responsive and works well for pointing, scrolling, and tapping. The keyboard also includes a space to store the Slim Pen 2 in the section that normally faces up against the tablet, so you can be sure the pen doesn’t fall out. The Slim Pen 2 works well for doodling or marking up a PDF, and there is an adjustable tactile engine for the pen that can make it “feel” like you’re writing on paper (although, I had to adjust the tactile feedback to the max of 100 to really notice it). When not in use, this keyboard cover folds up against the screen to protect it with a light magnetic closure that helps keep it closed.

I have been using this keyboard for about a month now. I upgraded from a Surface Pro 5 to a Surface Pro 9 and appreciate the subtle differences. One is the placement of the keyboard light button, just to the right of the Esc button. I also I love that the pen is hidden away when the keyboard is in use. The pen is also magnetic so it can attach to the side of the laptop screen when in use or be placed temporarily on the areas of the keyboard where there are no keys and it adheres there as well. The combo is a little pricey but you get what you pay for. Mine was an open box in practically new condition so I was able to get it at a discounted price.

Although not perfect, I think that it is a good bet to use this with the surface pro 9 (as intended by Microsoft) rather than one from someone else that may not work well. The pen works great and the keyboard feels nice and does it's job. Only con would be the price but I got it on sale and the bundle is cheaper than buying these things separate.

No Surface is complete without the type cover. It’s just the best way to have both worlds of tablet PC and laptop. Normally I don’t go for red, but at the time it was my only option, black was sold out. Now?, If Black and Red ever looked so good, this cover is the right color.. The neat thing about this one is the pen is stored way more safely than previous generations. The mag pen was fun for five minutes, then knocking it off and misplacing it became the norm. The pen charges right in that little alcove and snugly against the tablet when closed, so I am here for that design choice (please give the individual behind that one a raise.) They also cleverly changed the port so that there’s only two holes in the tablet’s underside, and the port plugs into the second hole. Again, clever.

The keyboard is responsive. I also appreciate that it is backlit, so if you're working in limited light, you can still work without interruption. There's good feeling to the response of the keys. It's not mechanical, which is the type of key's I'm accustomed to using on a daily basis. The Pen is a bit of a mixed bag. I find it a bit awkward to hold due to it being flat versus the natural styling of a pen. It's also very responsive and accurate. I'm a terrible writer but the handwriting recognition has come a ways since the last time i used a Windows based tablet that used a pen. I like that the pen sits in a spot inside the cover so it's tucked away when you're not needing to use it. The Alcantara is a nice touch as well and gives a feel of quality to the keyboard.

Keyboard and Stylus – Even though the on-screen keyboard on the surface pro 8 works well, the optional Signature Keyboard and the slim pen is amazing and, in my opinion, a must buy. The keyboard clips on to the bottom of the Surface with magnets and the pen stays attached to the keyboard. I have always loved and have been amazed by the pen and keyboard combo from Microsoft. They keyboard is nice and firm, and the keys are responsive and can be lifted a bit to provide a better tying angle. The keyboard also has built-in storage and charger for the pen. They keyboard has a beautiful Alcantara finish and a large and responsive touch pad. The Slim Pen 2 also got some upgrades from the previous model. The pen is slimmer and a bit more tapered at the tip, so it provides for better handling. The pen also provides haptic feedback when used on the screen which was cool and just works so well with the screen. The pen can be used to write notes, feels so much better then writing on paper, or even just have fun and be artistic, (if my 7-year-old can do that on that with the pen, imagine what you can do, see picture) and serves as a screen protector for your tablet/laptop when not in use.

A new generation of Surface Pro tablets have reached the market, and are excellent Windows 11 machines on their own. But for me, I need a keyboard to do certain things on to be most comfortable, and I’m trying to get back into drawing as well, so a digital pen is something I also needed to make a complete two-in-one system. Years ago, I tried an older model Surface and keyboard and frankly didn’t like it. The keyboard was squishy and gave too much – the new Signature keyboard is WORLDS better than those older versions. This one is much sturdier and doesn’t give when typing so long as you don’t have lead fingers. It connects to your Pro tablet via two very strong magnetic connections that fit right up to the tablet, which powers the keyboard as well. It’s size fits with the Surface tablet at around 11 inches wide by 8 ½ inches tall, but it shrinks by an inch to 7 ½ inches tall when you “fold” the top of it into the tablet, which hides the Surface Pen 2 from view in the slot it sits and charges in. A very neat idea, as when folded, it also raises the tablet slightly to give you a better typing angle, while hiding the pen. A felt-like material covers the keyboard and feels nice, and a good sized glass touchpad give you plenty of room for maneuvering around your screen. There’s a good sense of feedback when typing – they are not flat or mushy… they give you a good sensory feedback that you are indeed, typing. There is a back light available with various brightness settings, so typing in lower light areas isn’t a problem. When closed, the keyboard protects the screen, but does not cover the back in any way, so I still suggest using a case or sleeve. The keyboards are available in Black, Poppy Red, or Ice Blue. I tend to get a little dirt on my stuff (oops), so usually pick black to hide it, but you do have those choices. The Microsoft Surface Slim Pen 2 is an oval-shaped digital pen at around 5 ½ inches in length, with a solid tip, and button on the pen itself as well as one at the other end that “clicks”. It came as a bundle with the keyboard (you save money this way as opposed to ordering them separately, though you don’t have to order them together – a separate usb charging cradle is available for it if you like, too). It charges within the keyboard in a dedicated slot, and you can get up to 15 hours of use on a full charge; I have tried it out for a few hours at a time and it didn’t show any signs of running out of juice. When you remove it from it’s charging cradle, a tiny menu will pop up on your screen for a few seconds where you can pick a White Board to write on, or a snipping tool for screen shots, as well as pen settings and more info keys. Otherwise, you can click the top “eraser” button and a white board app will appear on your Windows 11 screen so you can take notes or doodle to save for later (or use in other ways via settings). The side button will allow for “select” and right-clicks in certain applications. With over 4,000 points of pressure, you shouldn’t have an issue when drawing on your tablet with this, giving varying levels of light/dark and effects with this level of control. There are haptic feedback vibrations in this pen, but they work (for now) only with Surface Pro 8 and Studio tablet and devices, (Mine is an X). I have fairly chunky hands, and find the pen to be pretty comfortable to use. I mean, I like HUGE pens when I write but no digital pen is that big – in terms of styluses and digital pencils/pens, this is one of the more comfortable ones I’ve used, and is the most fluid and natural feeling when using on a tablet surface. As I said before, the Surface tablets are very nice, but I think you get the best out of them when used with the Microsoft Signature Keyboard and Pen 2. I recommend both of these to compliment the tablet if your budget allows.

Microsoft has released a new Surface Pro Signature Keyboard with Slim Pen 2 to go with the new line of Surface Pro tablets/laptops. This package includes the keyboard, pen, and thin cardboard information sheet which shows some quick facts about the product. It comes with a 1-year manufacturer's warranty. PROS: --------- * Connects easily to the Surface Pro using magnets (I'm using the X with 8GB RAM). * The keyboard has a small slot to put the pen in which is held in place when the keyboard is closed. * The keyboard is quite convenient for us that use typing skills instead of typing on a screen. Add in the mouse capability and that's even better at times. * The "felt" surface of the keyboard allows for one side of the Surface to be placed on a table without it feeling like the Surface is going to get dented or scratched up. * The keyboard keys do light up if needed. * Protects screen when not in use. CONS: --------- * The keyboard is flimsy, and though responsive, does feel a bit cheap. If you don't have a flat surface while typing, it may bend a bit while doing so. A more rigid back side would be great. * Would like more protection that might wrap around the whole PC if needed, not just the keyboard/screen side. OTHER OBSERVATIONS: ------------------------------------ * I do not typically use a pen for much on my PCs, but after using, I can see how it can come in handy for drawing and designs in certain programs. I used it a few times; however with my profession, I likely won't get a lot of use out of it. They keyboard will be used more than anything. CONCLUSION: ============ If you get the Surface Pro, just get the keyboard. There are so many times where you need one, and it's simple to hook up and use. It will also protect your screen at the same time when closed. If you need a better mouse, you can always use the USB-C port (with USB-C hub/adapter) to make that happen. It's a simple product but offers a lot.

The Microsoft Surface Pro keyboard with Slim Pen 2 is a must-have for any Surface user. The pen is very responsive and precise, and this means it can be great for taking notes or drawing. The keyboard is also a great addition to the Surface, with a comfortable typing experience and backlit keys for use in low-light environments. For my taste, the Sapphire color adds a touch of elegance to the overall appearance of the Surface, even if using the black/graphite Surface Pro. While the price tag may be a bit steep, the quality of the product justifies the cost. Overall, I would recommend this product for anyone looking to enhance their Surface experience, while also fully understanding that there are no other options (unless considering off-brand solutions found online which I don't recommend). Pros: The pen is highly responsive and precise, making it great for note-taking and drawing. The keyboard provides a comfortable typing experience and has backlit keys for use in low-light environments. The Sapphire color adds an elegant touch to the overall appearance of the Surface. Cons: The price may be considered expensive for some users. Compatibility limited to the X, 8, and 9 models, so users with other Surface models will need to look elsewhere. Overall, the Microsoft Surface Slim Pen 2 and Signature Keyboard offer great functionality and style, but users should consider the compatibility and price before making a purchase.

Easy to use, but I found after a couple months of using it, the trackpad seems to be a little crooked. I do not use it often, as I usually work from home and have a wireless keyboard for there, so it is a little disappointing. But honestly, what other clip-on keyboard is going to work as well as the one from Microsoft? Probably none.

Reviewing this keyboard with a Surface Pro 9. The Alcantara surface is my favorite part of the keyboard. If setting the keyboard all the way flat, it feels very wobbly, but folded against the bottom lip as this is the intended use feels very solid. The trackpad is fine, wide enough; not the widest trackpad but it's fine. Clicking requires a bit more force than other tablets but is fine. Typing is comfortable with island keys with enough travel. They're backlit with three brightness levels. Putting the keyboard flat reveals the thin pen. The cradle for the pen also charges it. This is leaps and bounds improvements over the older pens. The pen's tip is removable, and there are sensors on the tip itself, so getting new tips won't be as simple as in older models. The tip itself feels more solid. The control button is right where one would hold the pen, and the top is an action button that is configurable for one click, two clicks and hold action, with vibration feedback from the pen. As mentioned, to recharge it just simply put it back on the cradle. No more sticking the pen to the top of the tablet. Overall it's a great keyboard. I previously used the keyboard for Surface Pro 4 and while the keyboard itself is similar, the pen design, which now comes with the keyboard, is the best.

I am really enjoying using this new Microsoft Surface Pro Signature keyboard. It attaches easily and securely and is instantly recognized by the Microsoft Surface Pro. The feel of the keyboard is solid - the specs say they are fully mechanical keys. The backlighting is adequate to allow use in low lighting conditions. The touchpad is a good size - not too small to be useful but not so large so as to take real estate away from other needed keys. This keyboard is a perfect fit for my Microsoft Surface Pro and will help protect the Surface Pro. The platinum alcantara material feels very sturdy and looks good. I like the option to takes notes by hand so I really like the addition of the hidden tray to hold the Microsoft Surface Slim Pen 2 that comes with it. The tray actually charges the pen. I also like I don’t have to pay extra for the pen - an expensive proposition in the past. I’ve used Microsoft keyboards in the past and they did the job but were nothing special. This version makes me more excited about using the Surface and I highly recommend it.

I absolutely LOVE the refinement Microsoft has done to the new Surface keyboard and pen! The keyboard itself is mostly the same as previous generations. It attaches to the Surface via magnets, can lay flat, or angled via magnetic attachment. The keys have a soft feel and are very pleasant to type on. The size feels that of a full sized desktop keyboard. The alcantara fabric is always such a pleasure to wrest palms on. It does not require batteries as it gets power from the Surface it is attached to. The keyboard can illuminate in the dark too for easier typing in low light situations. The real innovation here is the changes made to the pen. The pen is now much flatter and fits into a new "cubby" at the top of the keyboard. It attaches magnetically and sits flush with the keyboard so it can be stored here when the keyboard is closed or angled up against the Surface screen. The pen charges when connects to it's cubby. Clicking on the top of the pen can be set to open Whiteboard, OneNote, or really any app of your choosing. The pen pairs to the Surface simply by being in it's cubby and they keyboard attached to the surface, I had to do no setup otherwise. The response I got when writing on the display felt very natural. The pen was easy to hold and if I sat it on the desk, it would not roll away. It was light and had a subtle grippy feel to it. Much of the response was due to the Surface itself, not the pen, but the overall experience was exceptional making this a must have accessory for the Surface X or Surface Pro 8.

Out of the box you get the keyboard and pen. Nice is simple. The keyboard base has a nice textured feel to it. Typing is comfortable, the keys are responsive, and have a nice tactile feel to them. A nice bonus is that the keys illuminate, so you can work in dimmer areas. Connecting the keyboard to one of the many tablets is quite simple. You place the two magnetic prongs near the base of the tablet. The trackpad is nice and responsive. There isn’t any lag when using the trackpad. You can go into settings and change a few of the gestures to your liking. The pen is actually really good. First off, the pen is housed magnetically in a cut out opening at the top of the keyboard. When you place the pen in the housing, a white light appears indicating that it’s charging. The keyboard and pen draw power from the tablet itself, so no extra power plug needed. When you click the other end of the pen, it opens the whiteboard app. You can change some of the options such as writing tool, color, thickness, etc… the best part is, there’s virtually no lag when writing on the tablet. The whiteboard app itself is quite basic in my opinion, but I’m sure they can add some features in future upgrades to edit photos to a greater capacity. When the tablet isn’t in use, fold it over the keyboard to use it as a cover. All in all, a great little keyboard, and a great pen. Great for work and play.

This keyboard and pen combo is a must for the surface pro. The pen is super intuitive on where you are pointing it on the screen, and it is also really great for programs like Adobe Photoshop. The keyboard is foldable and the built in pen charger is so useful. Just wish it was a bit cheaper, however sometimes there are sales to get these for a discount.

The keyboard works really good. I love that it is so lightweight and easy to attach and detach. The pen also works super great and is easy to use. Only thing that’s keeping it from a five star is that there’s no option to keep the keyboard lights lit while using. They dim off after about ten seconds or so.

This key board is very easy to use. Sturdy and sleek. Whether using it as a keyboard or laptop in tablet mode don't realize the keyboard is there. Haven't tried the pen yet but haven't had the need yet! Definitely, worth the investment.