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.

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?

I’m really not a huge fan of this setup. The keyboard does what it’s supposed to, which is be an input device but it lacks a few things. First, the surface is a tablet, a tablet you’re able to write on with the original keyboard after folding it to the backside of it and it becomes a notebook of sorts. The hinges on this keyboard do not allow that, they go complete 180* which by that I mean closed with the tablet stuck in it, and keys on the screen. To wide open and flat with keys and screen facing up. That takes away the tablet functionality 100%. Unless you like spinning a huge block around on a table. Second is wake up ability. If you close the surface with it in the hinges. It goes into rest mode, you put it in your bag and go. If it sits for an extended period of time, rest mode saves battery by disconnecting peripherals (keyboards, mice), but this does not wake it up like a traditional laptop. You’re stuck swiping up or using your camera to unlock the system and then waiting for the connection to refresh between keyboard and tablet. Kind of a pain that I’m not a huge fan of. Third, the hinges, I know I mentioned the range of motion but the width of the hinges don’t do it any favors either. The hinges don’t account for the thickness of a screen protector. So it’s a concerningly tight fit to slide the surface into the cradle. There’s 2 small tabs on the front of the screen that make contact with the glass. These hinges are stiff. The concern is real that these might actually break the screen on a 700$++ tablet. It has by some of the reviews. I have a screen protector on my surface and these certainly do press hard enough to bend the glass on it at the bottom left and right sides that you can see in the reflection when the screen is black. There’s absolutely ZERO protection afforded here, the hinges also take the ability away of attaching any sort of protective cover. Maybe a set of hinges that allow use of the kickstand or whatever Overall, it’s a decent piece. Sturdy, solid, holds the tablet upright in a laptop style where it restores the productivity function of a windows computer. But it takes away the tablet functionality completely. Unless you want to risk pulling it out over and over. Which I DONT recommend, after seeing the bend in the screen. I use my surface more now because of this keyboard but the fear of a broken screen and scratched up finish is real. I have the black surface.

Awesome Keyboard. I like it even better than the original that I bought with the SP6. It works just as well, the backlight is better imo, and it feels very sturdy. I've been using it for a long time now and it feels like it's going to outlast the tablet itself.

****update feb26***** I freaking hate hate this keyboard with a passion. So much so that I would rather work on my phone and only when I must do I use it. The charge is not held. The port to plug it in went wonky after month two so that it is never charged and you have to actually tape the cord to the unit to get it to work. I have missed out on things that requires me to que up online because it is so daft. It connects via blue tooth and it just a heavy weight. I dislike it intensely. I have been avoiding getting another keyboard due to the fact I hate dealing with this one. I know it doesn’t make sense but I have even reverted to my desktop unit. It doesn’t stay connected. The touch pad is iffy and I just hate it. It is heavy and where I appreciated it before as it held the screen and rarely tipped over it is frustrating to use when I need to be portable. The battery doesn’t hold a charge. It is wonky to even charge. You has to constantl***** turn it on by pushing two buttons simultaneously. I have had this keyboard for exactly one month. I keep meaning to post a review because I was really happy with it during the first week, but that feeling has changed. Since the keyboard is separate from the surface—mine is a Surface Pro 6—it needs its own power source. I didn't realize this at first because it arrived in great packaging, and there was no cable or power cube included. I have plenty of those, but it seems to be picky about which ones you use. If you don't use the correct ones, it won't charge the keyboard. There’s no real warning when the battery is about to die. If you’re using it while plugged in and charging, it won't keep up and will eventually die. This leaves you without access to your keyboard, so you have to use the on-screen keyboard. My MS Surface Arc Mouse also stops working even though it's connected through the Surface. The keyboard needs to be on for the mouse to work. I’ve tried changing settings and following instructions, but occasionally the letters and numbers I type appear backwards. I don't understand what’s happening because everything I check is correctly set. A couple of keys have sunk into the keyboard, making it difficult to use, and I wonder if one of those sunken keys is causing the backwards text. I like the weight of the keyboard and how it holds the screen, and it has helped prevent my clumsy cat from knocking it over. The touchpad was excellent because of its large size, but it has now stopped working regardless of the settings. I’m upset because, despite its issues with battery life and occasional charging, it was a really great keyboard during the first week. I would have recommended it to anyone a few weeks ago. But now, even at a discount price of under $20(!), I wish I could put that money toward something more durable. Though it only worked well for a month, I guess $20 isn't much. I really enjoyed it and wish it had lasted longer than a month. Oh and by the way I am writing this review in my phone because the keyboard isn't working right now.

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.

This keyboard is solidly built and complements my Surface very well. I was concerned about the hinge but it's very solid. It fits my Surface very snugly and holds it upright. The hinge articulates smoothly and is strong enough to handle multiple angle adjustments throughout my work day. It holds firmly at all angles and is a stable platform that allows me to pick up the Surface by the keyboard while open. In that way it gives the laptop functionality which I was looking for. Being rigid it's a big upgrade in comparison to the original soft cover. The one weakness for me is that it disconnects after a few minutes of inactivity. Fortunately reconnection is one click away and very fast. Battery life - A full charge lasts about 10 days on daily use Overall a good purchase for me.

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.

Writing this on second day of delivery Build quality is really good. Comes in nice packaging. First impressions are very convincing

This is a great Bluetooth keyboard with trackpad that will work (to varying degrees) with almost any computer. I am typing this on one of these paired with an ASUS ProArt PZ13 Surface-style tablet, have used it with an Android tablet, in Linux, and also paired to an iPad. On iPad I recall the trackpad not working for some strange reason that I would, perhaps falsely, attribute to Apple. Brydge went out of business, was bought out, and is sort of still a thing. This keyboard, a significant upgrade from the Brydge 12.3 for older Surfaces, is a bit of an abandoned product, for sure. But. It's selling for $60CDN vs $130USD, works with everything I've thrown at it, and is of quite high quality. If, in 2025, you are on the fence about this, just go for it. It is better than anything similar for $60. Even as a backup for a standard Surface keyboard, it's great. I have a bunch of Brydge keyboards that I've purchased on heavy discount in the last year or so. They are all great. No regrets.

Brilliant product and must have for surface pro owners. It seamlessly converts tablet to a laptop with much better look and feel than microsoft keyboard

La tastiera è di ottima qualità, il risultato estetico ottenuto sembra quello di un normale laptop, buona corsa dei tasti (anche se molto piccoli ed è necessario abituarsi), ma è davvero molto pesante e raddoppia (se non triplica) il peso del mio Surface Pro 4. Un altro aspetto da tenere in conto è che ha il layout americano, risolvibile con adesivi (da comprare a parte) oppure abituandosi alla corrispondenza dei tasti. Una nota sull'accensione: basta premere il tasto Fn contemporaneamente a del/power per un solo secondo e la tastiera si attiva, non c'è un led di accensione fisso (si accende solo mentre premi e per 1/2 secondi dopo, in verde, ma poi scompare): Se non si è consapevoli, sembra che non sia accesa, ma lo è! Su amazon usa e su alcuni forum internazionali, viene riportato il rischio di rompere lo schermo dove sono posti i fermi, nel chiudere il laptop. Spero non accada. Non mi esprimo sulla durata della batteria, perché l'acquisto è troppo recente.

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