Microsoft has just announced a whole host of new devices intended to directly compete with the best MacBooks and best iPads, yet its new Magic Keyboard beater is one of the most interesting new devices.
At $349.99, the Surface Pro Flex Keyboard is a relatively plain-looking keyboard that is supposed to be connected to the iPad-like Surface Pro, to turn it into a fully-fledged laptop. Like the iPad Pro Magic Keyboard, it has haptic feedback in the touchpad. However, it's worth noting that there are multiple iPad Pro Magic Keyboard sizes so you can technically pick one up for cheaper if you have the 11-inch model. The 13-inch variant of each costs $349.
The Surface Pro Flex itself has a new Copilot key, which is used to activate the device's AI helper, and comes with a whole host of other shortcuts like a mute button and snip key for taking easy screenshots. It also comes in tonnes of colors, to suit different Surface Pros and can be customized with a “Bold keyset option” which highlights letters on the keyboard to make them easier to see. Though these are food functions, it only has one major feature the current Magic Keyboard is lacking.
Great connectivity
Just like the Magic Keyboard, the Surface Pro Flex attaches to its companion tablet for day-to-day typing, simulating the use of a laptop. However, it has a secret weapon Apple can't match. The Surface Pro Flex can also be detached and used as a standalone keyboard, positioned anywhere on your desk or workspace. With a non-traditional setup, or even for artists and producers, you can use the keyboard off to the side while tapping away at the screen.
The attach and detach feature could also work better with a mouse and keyboard setup, as you can quickly position the screen further away from you to better hold your peripherals. This is a very nice feature, though it would cost you $1,300 for the most basic version of this setup.
If you want the Slim Pen with the keyboard and the OLED screen on the Surface Pro, you will need to spend at least $1,950 to get it, though you can get it a little cheaper by preordering. By comparison, you can get the 13-inch iPad Pro with 512Gb of storage, an Apple Pencil Pro, and a Magic Keyboard for that same price. Microsoft is really banking on its new wave of AI-driven machines. Only time will tell if it’s worth all that cash upfront.
