A Surface device purchase isn’t complete without its respective Type Cover, and so alongside my base model Surface Pro 4, I decided to buy a teal Type Cover. I chose the teal color for three reasons. One, it’s easy on the eyes. Two, I don’t particularly care all that much what color my device is rocking. Even hot pink would be fine; even more desirable just because it’d be so fabulous. And three, perhaps most importantly, this is the first time Microsoft is offering a teal Type Cover, and seeing as how I’ll be spending a lot of time reviewing this device, it would be a great way to showcase the color for people who are curious as to how it portrays itself.
[pullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]”the new Type Cover is a dramatic improvement over its predecessor”[/pullquote]
As I’ve mentioned in my earlier hands-on with the Surface Pro 4, the new Type Cover is a dramatic improvement over its predecessor. The key travel no longer feels mushy and unconfident, instead with a laptop-like travel and emitting a precise, tactile sensation when pressed. The keys are much more spread out than before, encompassing the full breadth of the Type Cover body rather than just a tepid 80 percent of it. As such, it feels a lot less cramped to type on. Admittedly, I’m so used to typing on my Surface 3 Type Cover that the extra room actually feels strange. Of course, I shall adjust to that as time goes on.
I have to revise some of my earlier assessment of the glass trackpad. I said in my review earlier that it’s noticeably more quiet, and while they may have been because of the noisy mall ambiance, it could also be because it was a demo unit and was considerably more worn down. In typing this preview with the new Type Cover, the clicking of the trackpad is still pretty loud. However, it’s easier to actuate compared to the previous Type Cover, which was just downright harsh by comparison. And while it’s still pretty loud, the sound is a bit more tempered and refined in character.
Otherwise, the new glass trackpad is a massive improvement. It’s 40 percent larger in area, which makes it feel pretty Macbook-like. The glass is silky smooth. I mean REALLY silky smooth. I didn’t realize just how course my Surface 3 Type Cover was until I used this new one
There are also some key changes: bringing back the vaunted context menu key, as well as removing the now obsolete charm keys in favor much more conventional volume keys. The function key has been relocated to the left between the Start and Ctrl keys. I personally dislike this, as I have the traditional “Ctrl-Start-Alt” configuration ingrained into my muscle memory. Of course, I’ll adapt.
All told, as I type this preview with the new Type Cover I stand by my original conclusion that the new Type Cover is amazing and is well worth the purchase for both new Surface Pro 4 owners and current Surface Pro 3 owners alike. Between now and the forthcoming comprehensive review, I don’t expect this opinion of mine to waver. Again, I’ll reiterate my earlier assessment that Surface Pro 3 owners who don’t feel the desire to upgrade the devices must, at the very least, upgrade Type Covers.
It’s also important to mention that there are two versions of the new Type Cover, one of which is $30 USD more expensive and features a finger print reader designed as something of a substitute for Surface Pro 3 devices that do not have the new Windows Hello authentication system.
Look forward to a much more comprehensive review of the new Type Cover in the coming weeks.
