Brydge SP+ review for Surface Pro 8: A fantastic way to get a full laptop for just $100
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Pretty awesomeBrydge SP+ review for Surface Pro 8: A fantastic manner to get a full laptop for just $100
The SP+ from Brydge lets you lot make a Surface Laptop "4.5" from Surface Pro eight. 
Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Fundamental
Microsoft's Surface Pro eight is ane of the best convertible PCs of the year thanks to an all-new design, 11th Gen Intel, Thunderbolt 4, and that new Slim Pen 2. Simply some people can't get into the Surface Pro design with the "floppy" keyboard, which costs an extra $140 to $280 depending on whether yous want that pen.
Luckily, Brydge is here with the SP+, a pop accompaniment the company has fabricated for years for all sorts of tablets. In effect, this (on auction) $100 add-on makes Surface Pro viii a existent laptop with a prune-on, Bluetooth-powered keyboard. While information technology jacks up the weight, I have zero but good things to say about it, making it an piece of cake recommendation. Here's why.
Brydge SP+ for Surface Pro 8
Bottom line: The Brydge SP+ transforms Surface Pro viii into a tablet PC into a real laptop. While it does add together a lot of weight, Brydge nails the functionality for those who want it.
The Good
- Super easy to utilise, set up
- Excellent keyboard, trackpad
- Cheaper than Surface Pro keyboard
- "Fixes" lapability of Surface Pro eight
The Bad
- Adds a lot of weight
- No storage for any Surface Pen
Brydge SP+ for Surface Pro eight: Price and availability
Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central
The Brydge SP+ for Surface Pro 8 is available from Amazon, Best Buy (including in-store pickup), and Brydge directly. The price is typically $140 simply can be establish for every bit low as $100 when on sale.
In that location are ii color options to lucifer your Surface Pro 8: platinum and black.
Brydge SP+ for Surface Pro 8: What you'll like
Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Cardinal
Design-wise, Brydge did an excellent chore with the SP+. The build quality, which is a combo of polycarbonate (top deck) and aluminum (bulk of the chassis), is tiptop-notch. It feels solid with no creaks or weak spots.
Brydge did a bang-up job complementing the blueprint, size, and even colour of SP+ to Surface Pro 8. The contours all match, and it feels similar Brydge designed this keyboard to mirror Surface Pro viii.
Setting it up and using the Brydge is super easy. In that location is, thankfully, little packing with the SP+: You open the box and pull out the keyboard, then slide Surface Pro 8 into the hinges. With Surface Pro 8 powered on and the Bluetooth active, turn on the SP+ by property down the power button until it blinks (pairing mode). That'due south it. I had no problems, and SP+ paired upwardly instantly (you lot demand to type in some characters to confirm.) SP+ uses Bluetooth 5.0, which is nice to run across.
Where the SP+ really shines is quality of the keyboard and trackpad. This is an splendid keyboard that feels like the Blazon Cover with perhaps keys that are a bit stiffer. The bounce-back is perfect, and the backlighting is decent (not as elegant equally the Type Covers, just it works well). Brydge provides a very positive typing feel, which is crucial for this accessory to work.
The trackpad is large with a satisfying click when depressed. It does not apply Microsoft's Precision Drivers, only it feels very similar with shine travel and decently authentic tracking.
In the lap is where the SP+ makes a lot of difference compared to the Type Cover. The Surface Pro 8 not only now looks like a Surface Laptop simply fees like one in the lap. No more hinge digging into your legs or angled typing if those were things that bothered you earlier. Instead, the SP+ lays completely apartment, and there is no tipping with Surface Pro 8, either — it'south all very sturdy, just like a traditional laptop.
Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central
Recharging SP+ is simple as it uses Type-C. Merely plug whatsoever Blazon-Charger into information technology, and you're practiced to go. That bombardment should final a long time, too, as Brydge quotes, "half dozen months (at 2 hours' use per day with no backlight utilize) or 40 hours per charge (when running consequent backlight)."
For those curious: Connecting Surface Pro 8 to SP+ via Blazon-C cablevision results in the Surface Pro viii recharging the keyboard, not the other way around.
Brydge SP+ for Surface Pro 8: What you won't like
Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Primal
In that location are a couple of downsides to the SP+, with the first beingness the added weight.
Because SP+ packs a big battery and is made mainly from aluminum, information technology comes in at a staggering 1.five pounds (678g). That brings the total weight with Surface Pro 8 up to 3.45 pounds (1.56kg). That'due south heavy. Surface Laptop 4 simply weighs two.79 pounds (one.27kg) by comparison. That actress weight would exist OK if that battery did anything for Surface Pro 8 itself, just information technology is only for the keyboard making this a weighty tradeoff.
Another very minor gripe is the trackpad. Either considering of the lack of Precision drivers or just being Bluetooth (or both), the accuracy is not as precise as a regular trackpad. For instance, there is a millisecond delay before the cursor moves (likely due to low-power Bluetooth). That said, I was way more impressed with the trackpad, especially being Bluetooth, than disappointed by it.
Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Primal
You're too giving up "studio mode" with Surface Pro 8 and the flexibility of a proper 2-in-1 PC, eastward.thousand., presentation style (flipping the keyboard effectually), or quickly transitioning to a tablet. Popping out the Brydge keyboard is like shooting fish in a barrel enough, only it's nevertheless simpler to utilise Microsoft's keyboard.
Finally, this keyboard is not a great solution if you use Surface Pen often. On previous Surface Pros, you could use the older round Surface Pen and stick it to the side of the device. However, due to the chassis change with Surface Pro viii, you tin can no longer do that. And since in that location is no storage for Slim Pen (one or two) with the SP+, yous have no way to carry the pen direct.
Brydge SP+ for Surface Pro eight: Competition
Surface Pro 8 with Pro Keyboard: Studio mode. Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central
There is not a lot of competition in this infinite as about people go with Microsoft'south Type Covers, which range from the $140 Surface Pro Keyboard to the $280 Surface Pro Signature Keyboard with Slim Pen 2.
Typically, 3rd-party makers like Tomsenn or Fintie release Bluetooth-style Type Covers, but those have non yet arrived. Moreover, they are just more than affordable Type Covers and don't transform your device into a "true" laptop like Brydge SP+.
You can go more than ideas in our best accessories for Surface Pro 8 guide.
Brydge SP+ for Surface Pro 8: Should you purchase it?
Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Cardinal
You should purchase this if ...
- You lot like Surface Pro 8 but don't like the Type Encompass
- Want a Surface Laptop "iv.v"
- You want to salvage some coin
You lot shouldn't buy this if ...
- You want the lightest Surface Pro typing solution
- Yous need a identify to stow Surface Pen
Overall, I was delighted with SP+ for Surface Pro viii. The build quality, packing, instructions, etc., are all outstanding. Setting it up is like shooting fish in a barrel, and it delivers on what is promised. The SP+ transforms the manner Surface Pro 8 looks and feels, making it truly experience like Surface Laptop "4.5." Zero feels inexpensive about this at all — Brydge nails this product. Sure, the trackpad could be a smidge better, just it's nonetheless terrific. More than importantly, the keyboard is fantastic.
The just gripe is but how much heavier (and slightly thicker) SP+ makes Surface Pro viii. While non everyone loves the Type Encompass, it does let Surface Pro 8 be one of the lightest and thinnest "laptops" on the market. That all goes away with SP+, which now makes this one of the heaviest Ultrabooks available.
Speaking in favor of Brydge is the price. While its retail is $140, you can oftentimes discover it much cheaper at $100, which is a $40 savings (at least) over anything from Microsoft. That price feels more than justified for what Brydge delivers, making this accompaniment like shooting fish in a barrel to recommend if yous desire what it does.
Brydge SP+ for Surface Pro 8
Bottom line: The Brydge SP+ transforms Surface Pro viii into a tablet PC into a real laptop. While information technology does add a lot of weight, Brydge nails the functionality for those who want it.
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Daniel Rubino
Daniel Rubino is the Executive Editor of Windows Primal. He has been covering Microsoft hither since 2007 back when this site was called WMExperts (and later Windows Phone Central). His interests include Windows, Surface, laptops, and modern computing. Follow him on Twitter: @daniel_rubino.
Source: https://www.windowscentral.com/brydge-sp-review
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