There’s a specific moment of frustration every dedicated Microsoft Surface Pro user knows. It’s when you’re trying to share your screen with a colleague, but you’re tethered by the short, magnetically-attached keyboard. Or when you’ve docked your Surface to a larger monitor, only to realize you now need a separate, full-sized keyboard to actually get any work done, defeating the purpose of your sleek, minimalist setup. For years, we’ve treated the official Type Cover as an inseparable part of the Surface experience, accepting its limitations because the alternative was unthinkable. The problem is, the official keyboards are expensive, and their core design hasn’t changed—they only work when physically connected. This limitation feels increasingly archaic in a world of wireless everything. What we’ve been searching for is a solution that honors the Surface’s portability while liberating it from its physical constraints, a keyboard that offers more flexibility without demanding a premium price. The mobee Type Cover Keyboard with Trackpad & Pen Holder enters this exact arena, promising the freedom we’ve been seeking. But does it deliver a comparable experience, or are the compromises too great?
- Compatible with Microsoft Surface Pro 13"(11th Edition 2025), Pro 11 (2024), Surface Pro 10 (2024), Surface Pro 9 (2022), Surface Pro 8 (2021), and Surface Pro X (2020). ❌Not for Surface Pro...
- Improving typing experience: The keyboard layout is simple and compact, with 7 color backlight and three adjustable brightness to enhance your typing experience. The slim design of the keyboard makes...
- Bluetooch Type Cover: Connect via Bluetooth, pair the keyboard once, and it will reconnect to the Surface automatically once you open it. ❌ NOT connect via magnetic contact.
What to Demand from a Surface Pro Keyboard Alternative
A tablet keyboard is more than just an accessory; it’s a transformative tool that converts a content-consumption device into a genuine productivity powerhouse. For Surface Pro users, this is the entire value proposition. The primary benefit is unlocking a true laptop-like workflow, allowing for rapid-fire emails, document editing, and coding on a device that’s light enough to carry anywhere. It provides the tactile feedback that on-screen keyboards can never replicate, leading to faster typing speeds and fewer errors. A great keyboard cover also serves as a durable screen protector, safeguarding your investment while on the move. Ultimately, it bridges the gap between the portability of a tablet and the functionality of an ultrabook, creating a single, do-it-all machine.
The ideal customer for a third-party keyboard like this one is someone facing the limitations of the original head-on. This includes students who need to take notes in cramped lecture halls, mobile professionals who frequently connect their Surface to external displays, and budget-conscious users who balk at the high cost of an official replacement. If you’ve ever wished you could prop your Surface on a stand and type with the keyboard on your lap, this product is designed for you. However, it might not be suitable for those who are uncompromising purists. If the exact, near-silent, and uniquely muffled keystroke of the Microsoft Alcantara keyboard is essential to your workflow, or if the idea of charging your keyboard separately feels like an unacceptable chore, you might find the trade-offs jarring. For those users, sticking with the OEM product is likely the better, albeit more expensive, path.
Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:
- Dimensions & Space: A key purpose of a type cover is to add functionality without adding bulk. Pay close attention to the thickness and weight. The mobee keyboard is slightly thicker than the original due to its internal battery, which is a necessary trade-off for its wireless capability. This can subtly change the device’s profile, but it remains slim and highly portable.
- Performance & Connectivity: This is the biggest differentiator. The mobee uses Bluetooth, not the magnetic pogo pins of the original. This enables detached use but introduces the need for pairing and charging. We looked for quick, reliable Bluetooth pairing and a stable connection with no noticeable lag, both of which we found the mobee to handle well. Battery life and charging via a modern standard like USB-C are also critical performance metrics.
- Materials & Durability: The official Surface keyboards are known for their premium Alcantara fabric finish. Third-party alternatives often use different synthetic materials. While the felting on the mobee is functional and provides good screen protection, we noted, as have other users, that it doesn’t have the same luxurious feel as the original. This is a primary area of compromise for the lower price point.
- Ease of Use & Maintenance: A good keyboard should be intuitive. This includes the initial setup, the feel of the key travel, the responsiveness of the trackpad, and the logic of any function keys. For the mobee, this also extends to the habit of using the physical on/off switch to conserve power and remembering to charge it periodically—a new step in the workflow for long-time Surface users.
While the mobee Type Cover Keyboard with Trackpad & Pen Holder is an excellent choice for adding versatility, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models that can enhance your tablet experience, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:
- Excellent Compatibility: The Bluetooth keyboard compatible with iOS, Android and iPad OS system. It is perfect for Apple iPhone, iPad, iPad Mini, iPad Pro, iPad Air, Android Samsung LG tablet...
- IMPORTANT NOTE: This keyboard is compatible with 3 systems, please press FN+A/S/D to switch the required system before use (“FN+A” is for iOs , “FN+S” is for Windows, “FN+D” is for Android...
- 【Compatibility】For iPad (A16) 11th generation 11-inch 2025 (Model: A3354/A3355/A3356), For iPad 10th generation 10.9-inch 2022 (Model: A2696/A2757/A2777). Not for any other models. Please check...
First Impressions: A Familiar Form with a Few Surprises
Unboxing the mobee Type Cover Keyboard with Trackpad & Pen Holder felt both familiar and distinct. It arrived in a simple, no-frills package containing the keyboard, a USB-C charging cable, and a small user manual. Our test unit was in the handsome Burgundy color, a deep red that pairs elegantly with the platinum or black of a Surface Pro. Magnetically snapping it to the bottom of our Surface Pro 9 was as satisfying as with the original; the fit is precise, covering the screen perfectly when closed. The first noticeable difference is the feel. The synthetic felt-like material is slightly coarser than Microsoft’s Alcantara, a distinction that’s immediately apparent to the touch but visually quite similar. The second difference is its slight but perceptible heft and thickness, a direct result of housing its own battery. On the side, the discreet on/off switch and USB-C port signal its most significant departure from the original. Flipping it open, the keys sit a fraction higher, and the dedicated pen holder trough at the top is a thoughtful, functional inclusion. Initial impressions are of a well-made facsimile that smartly trades a bit of premium feel for a whole lot of extra functionality. You can see the detailed specifications and color options for yourself.
Key Benefits
- Untethered Bluetooth connectivity allows for use while detached from the Surface
- Independent rechargeable battery doesn’t drain the tablet’s power
- Vibrant 7-color RGB backlighting with adjustable brightness for low-light conditions
- Seamless and quick Bluetooth pairing with automatic reconnection
- Significantly more affordable than the official Microsoft Type Cover
Potential Drawbacks
- Keys are audibly “clicky” and lack the soft, muffled feel of the original
- Requires separate charging and manual power management via an on/off switch
- Build materials, while solid, feel less premium than the OEM version
Performance Under Pressure: A Comprehensive Breakdown of the mobee Type Cover
A keyboard lives or dies by its daily performance. After several weeks of using the mobee Type Cover Keyboard with Trackpad & Pen Holder as our primary input device on a Surface Pro 9, we’ve developed a deep understanding of its strengths and its compromises. We used it for everything from writing long-form articles and managing spreadsheets to casual browsing and late-night emails, directly comparing it to the experience of the official Microsoft Signature Keyboard.
The Typing and Trackpad Experience: A Tale of Two Tactilities
The most immediate and lasting impression comes from the keys themselves. If you are coming directly from a Microsoft Type Cover, the difference is stark. Where the official keyboard has a famously soft, quiet, and somewhat “muffled” actuation, the mobee’s keys are definitively “clicky.” Each press results in a crisp, audible click, reminiscent of a standard desktop keyboard or many third-party mechanical keyboards. This isn’t inherently a bad thing, but it’s a matter of strong personal preference. We found that for rapid typing, the tactile and audible feedback was quite satisfying, confirming each keystroke with confidence. However, in a quiet office or library, the sound is noticeably louder. One user described it perfectly, noting it “‘clicks’ for each push like a cheap keyboard,” and while we wouldn’t go so far as to say it feels cheap, the sound profile is certainly more budget-oriented than premium.
The key layout is standard QWERTY, and the keys are well-spaced, leading to a comfortable and accurate typing experience with a minimal learning curve. They protrude slightly more from the keyboard deck than the original’s, offering a bit more travel, which some of our team preferred. The integrated trackpad is similarly functional. It’s a decent size, tracks smoothly, and supports multi-touch gestures in Windows without issue. The physical click mechanism for the trackpad, however, shares the audible nature of the keys. It’s loud. For users who rely on tap-to-click, this is a non-issue, but for those who prefer a physical press, it can be slightly jarring. Overall, the typing and navigation experience is highly competent and reliable, but it forgoes subtlety for clear, audible feedback.
Untethered Freedom: The Bluetooth Advantage
Here is where the mobee Type Cover Keyboard with Trackpad & Pen Holder absolutely shines and justifies its existence. The ability to detach the keyboard and continue typing is, without exaggeration, a game-changer for the Surface Pro. Pairing via Bluetooth was trivially simple and took less than a minute. As promised, after the initial setup, the keyboard automatically reconnected to our Surface every time we powered it on. The magic happens when you need to adapt your workspace. We propped the Surface on a stack of books to bring it to eye level for better ergonomics and typed comfortably with the keyboard on the desk. We connected the Surface to a 4K monitor and sat back on a couch, using the keyboard and trackpad from across the room to navigate a presentation. This is the kind of flexibility that Surface users have been craving for years.
This freedom, however, comes with two new responsibilities. First is power management. The keyboard has its own internal battery, charged via a modern USB-C port on the side. This is a huge plus, as it doesn’t leech power from your tablet. The downside is that you have to remember to charge it. We found that with moderate daily use and the backlight on, a charge lasted us well over a week. The second responsibility is the physical on/off switch. To conserve that battery life, you need to get into the habit of flicking it off when you’re done for the day. Several times in the first week, we forgot, coming back to a drained battery. As one user lamented, “I forget that I have to turn it off after each use.” It’s a minor annoyance but requires a conscious change in user habits compared to the always-ready nature of the pogo-pin-connected original. This single feature of detached use is compelling enough for many to overlook the minor inconveniences.
Design, Durability, and Daily Use Details
In day-to-day use, the mobee holds up well. It attaches securely to the base of the Surface Pro, and the magnets are strong enough to keep it in place when carried around. The integrated pen holder at the top is a fantastic addition. It provides a secure channel for the Surface Slim Pen 2 to rest and charge, offering more protection than the simple magnetic attachment on the side of the tablet. However, we did confirm a subtle but important design flaw noted by one user. When you fold the keyboard up to the screen to create the classic angled typing position, the magnets holding it in that incline are noticeably weaker than the original’s. On a perfectly flat, stable surface like a desk, it’s fine. But when using it on our lap, a slight shift could cause the keyboard to slap down flat, exposing the pen. It’s not a deal-breaker, but it’s a minor point of fit-and-finish where the premium original has the edge.
The overall construction feels solid, though the felting material, as mentioned, lacks the premium touch of Alcantara. It feels more utilitarian, designed to resist smudges and wear, which could be seen as a positive for those who use their device in less-than-pristine environments. A user who works a “dirty job” praised it as a great alternative for this very reason. It’s a practical workhorse, not a luxury item. The slim profile is maintained well, and it adds very little discernible bulk to the overall package, ensuring the Surface Pro remains an eminently portable device.
The RGB Backlight: Functional Flair or Needless Flash?
Initially, we were skeptical about the 7-color RGB backlighting, dismissing it as a feature more suited to a gaming keyboard. However, our opinion quickly changed after a few late-night work sessions. The ability to illuminate the keys is incredibly useful in dim environments. The keyboard offers three brightness levels, which is more than enough to find a comfortable setting that isn’t distracting. Cycling through the seven available colors (including a standard white) is simple via a function key combination. While one user found the color choices “unnecessary,” another rightly pointed out, “it does make it easy to type at night.” We came to agree with the latter. The lighting is even, with minimal bleed around the keycaps, and it elevates the keyboard from a simple accessory to a genuinely useful tool for all-hours productivity. Whether you want a professional white, a cool blue, or the signature burgundy, the customization is a welcome and functional bonus.
What Other Users Are Saying
Our findings align closely with the general sentiment from other users who have spent time with the mobee Type Cover Keyboard with Trackpad & Pen Holder. There is a broad consensus that its greatest asset is the Bluetooth functionality. One user summed it up perfectly: “I have always wished that the surface keyboard could work without being attached to the screen. Had I known this product existed earlier I would have bought it immediately.” This highlights the core appeal for those seeking more flexibility. The ease of setup is another point of frequent praise, with people noting it “synced right up” and connects automatically without hassle.
On the critical side, the most common feedback revolves around the ways it differs from the original Microsoft version. The “clicky” keys versus the “nice muffle feel” of the original is a recurring theme, marking it as a significant adjustment for long-time Surface users. Another frequently mentioned point is the build quality, specifically the weaker magnets for the angled typing position, which can cause the keyboard to “keep falling.” These critiques aren’t about the product being faulty—everything works as advertised—but about managing expectations. It’s a highly functional alternative, not a 1:1 clone of the premium original.
Comparing the mobee Type Cover to Its Top Alternatives
While the mobee Type Cover Keyboard with Trackpad & Pen Holder is designed for the Microsoft Surface ecosystem, it’s helpful to contextualize its value by looking at leading options in the broader tablet keyboard market. The main competitors in the premium space come from Apple’s walled garden, and they serve as a useful benchmark for price and features.
1. Apple Magic Keyboard Folio with Trackpad
- WHY MAGIC KEYBOARD FOLIO — The perfect iPad (A16) companion. It features a great typing experience, a built-in trackpad to handle tasks with precision, a 14-key function row. The versatile two-piece...
- COMPATIBILITY — Magic Keyboard Folio works with iPad (A16 and 10th generation).
- DESIGNED FOR COMFORT — Magic Keyboard Folio features a versatile two-piece design that includes a detachable keyboard and a protective back panel that attach magnetically. The large click-anywhere...
The Apple Magic Keyboard Folio is designed for the standard iPad (10th Generation). Like the mobee, it aims to provide a full keyboard and trackpad experience. Its key advantage is the seamless integration with iPadOS and the premium Apple build quality. It features a two-piece design that offers more versatility in viewing angles. However, it operates within the Apple ecosystem and is not compatible with a Surface Pro. Compared to the mobee, it comes at a significantly higher price point, showcasing the value proposition the mobee offers to Surface users who are seeking similar functionality without the “Apple tax.”
2. Amazon Renewed Apple USB-C Magic Keyboard
- The Magic Keyboard is the perfect companion for iPad Pro and iPad Air (4th generation).
- It features the best typing experience ever on iPad, a trackpad that opens up new ways to work with iPadOS, a USB-C port for charging, backlit keys, and front and back protection.
- With a new floating cantilever design, iPad Pro attaches magnetically and allows you to smoothly adjust to the perfect viewing angle for you.
This renewed version of the Magic Keyboard is for the iPad Pro 11-inch and iPad Air models. It offers the same premium typing experience and floating cantilever design that makes the iPad feel like a true laptop. Choosing a renewed model can bring the cost down, but it’s still often more expensive than the mobee. This alternative highlights a different value proposition: getting a first-party, premium experience at a slight discount. For a Surface user, the mobee offers brand-new hardware with unique features like detached use and RGB lighting for a lower price than even a renewed premium competitor from another ecosystem.
3. Apple Magic Keyboard iPad Case Black
- WHY MAGIC KEYBOARD — The perfect companion for iPad Pro and iPad Air, Magic Keyboard features a great typing experience, a trackpad, backlit keys, a USB‑C port for pass‑through charging, and...
- COMPATIBILITY — Magic Keyboard works with iPad Pro 11‑inch (1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th generation); and iPad Air (4th and 5th generation).
- KEYBOARD LANGUAGES — Arabic, British English, Chinese (Pinyin), Chinese (Zhuyin), Danish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish (Latin America), Spanish (Spain),...
This is the flagship keyboard for the iPad Pro and Air, representing the peak of first-party tablet keyboard design. It uses a Smart Connector for power and data, eliminating the need for Bluetooth pairing or separate charging—the main convenience the mobee sacrifices for its flexibility. The typing feel is widely considered best-in-class. However, it is the most expensive of the bunch and, like the others, is exclusively for iPads. It serves as the ultimate benchmark: if you want the absolute best integrated experience and are willing to pay a hefty premium, the first-party option is king. The mobee, by contrast, is for the user who prioritizes versatility and value over that last ounce of premium polish.
The Final Word: Who Should Buy the mobee Type Cover Keyboard?
After extensive testing, our verdict is clear: the mobee Type Cover Keyboard with Trackpad & Pen Holder is not trying to be a perfect, pixel-for-pixel replica of the Microsoft original, and that is precisely its greatest strength. It intelligently trades the silent, premium tactility of the official keyboard for something far more valuable to a specific set of users: freedom. The ability to use the keyboard detached via Bluetooth is a genuinely transformative feature that unlocks new levels of productivity and ergonomic comfort for any Surface Pro user.
We wholeheartedly recommend this keyboard to students, writers, mobile professionals, and anyone who has ever felt constrained by the standard Type Cover’s physical tether. If you frequently dock your Surface to an external monitor or simply want a more comfortable typing setup on the go, this is an outstanding and affordable solution. However, if you are a purist who cannot abide a louder, clickier typing experience or the minor chore of managing a separate battery and power switch, you may be better served by the official offering. For everyone else who values versatility and a fantastic price-to-performance ratio, the mobee is an easy choice. If you’re ready to unlock the full potential of your Surface Pro, you can check the latest price and user reviews for the mobee Type Cover online.
Last update on 2025-11-07 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API