Has Microsoft Been Scamming Me? Renaisser Alternative to the Surface Type Cover

[@petermacdetroit]

Your review is spot on to my experience using the Renaisser. Biggest frustrations are the incredibly stiff press on the touchpad, the flimsy magnets that don't hold the board to the screen. I'm using a Surface Pro X with more viewable screen space. The company claims the keyboard will work with SP 8, 9, and X but, to be kind, I think they were a bit optimistic designing a board for all three. In fact, the board blocks a small bit of the screen at the bottom. A positive note on the magnets - when I physically flexed the top of the board to make it more pliable it seems to hold much, much better to the screen. The other issues you noted - not turning the screen off when closed and the delay (latency) in connecting to the Pro are not deal killers. However, Renaisser should have a keyboard setting that enables to turn off any power saving mode. I do wonder if the other issues related to F keys, etc. have more to do with royalties and copyright infringements than a designer/engineer overlooking the obvious. Cheers and keep up the solid reviews.

[@dalekstrauss]

Good review, but I have the same objection as many other Surface Pro reviews - the complaint about paying "extra" for keyboard and pen is a red herring. The closest competitor is not any other laptop, but the iPad Pro (especially 12.9") for an ultra portable tablet that is also a laptop replacement. Main difference - SP is "laptop" first and iPad is "tablet" first. Since iPadOS 15, a keyboard and Apple Pencil are near necessities as well, and the Magic Keyboard ($349) and pencil ($129) are substantially more expensive than Signature Keyboard plus Slim Pen 2 ($279 for BOTH); and the later (with keyboard tray/charger) is far superior to the magnet only Apple Pencil.

[@TransConBrilliance]

The biggest thing that I think people don't get is that Microsoft is actually doing you a great service by separating the purchase of the keyboard and pen. I certainly have saved money. When I upgrade to a new surface I don't have to buy a new pen and keyboard. And since many iteration of surfaces came and went before they upgraded the typecover and pen really gives you the benefit of buying a premium 2 in 1 for less than other premium laptops .

[@sloppynyuszi]

Have you tried selling your old surface without a keyboard and pen? It’s not easy. My main issue though isn’t this. It’s the alcantera keyboard. That stuff wears off and gets grimes after a lot of use. I’m also not the biggest fan of how the pen charges. I don’t think there is a nice plastic keyboard that I can wipe off when it gets a bit dusty. If there is I haven’t found it.

[@EleroyGreen]

Except they changed the design starting from surface pro 8, so those old keyboards won't work anymore.

[@michaelcorcoran8768]

I think that would be a better argument if the prices were more reasonable. Is ninety percent of people want the keyboard. I think it's just a clever way for them. To be able to tease lower introductive prices.

[@Saintathantwinpeaks]

"I frankly can't speak English very well" 👏👏👏🤣🤣🤣

[@lukecoverdale3861]

Agree, I use a bluetooth keyboard which looks identical to the surface pro type cover but the upside is it only cost me £35 and I can use it with the keyboard not being attached to the surface which makes it more flexible to use, plus I can use it with other devices. Its also backlit.

[@innoiso]

Nice!

[@doaflamingo3713]

to overcome this, they made the pen charge only with the keyboard and a stupid accessory if you dont wanna buy the keyboard

[@auxod3219]

The reason I avoid Bluetooth devices such as keyboards or earphones is that you have to charge it, just another one in your suite. It is highly more easy to use your accessories if you don't have to charge them regularly.

[@innoiso]

I understand, but this isn't like earphones that you need to charge weekly. Some of these keyboards can last several weeks on a charge and only take a few minutes to top up

[@DanielHarrisCodes]

@@innoiso to me whether it’s a surface pro or an iPad Pro you may as well go the whole hog and buy official. If you aren’t using the device to make money in your work or business then anything as expensive as a Surface Pro or iPad Pro is a massive indulgence and probably not needed in the first place.

[@PavelCrisostomo]

I have one for my surface pro 3 and one charge last more than a month if I don't go turn the keylights one

[@kareemsabir1092]

the connection of the original keyboard keeps getting a shortage after about a year of use so i actually would prefer the bluetooth connection instead. any longterm/durability review of this product?

[@michaelt9144]

Yes, this is what bugs me. My Surface Pro 3 type cover lasted about a year (I'm still using the actual Surface Pro 3 device so no complaints there) and my Surface Pro 8, even less.

[@design4nyone793]

I use a Surface Pro 8. The first keyboard broke after 2 years, and the second one stopped working after just 13 months. Now I’ve had to buy a third one. And it's not cheap at all-it feels really ridiculous!

[@edjp5866]

That's the issue I have now.

[@andrebarros1718]

10:25 Do you guys really click down on trackpads? I just tap, it's faster and less tiring. What is the advantage of clicking over gently tapping?

[@innoiso]

Kinda like a keyboard, I like the physical feedback of knowing I clicked.

[@andrebarros1718]

​@@innoiso It's funny... I had even forgotten my trackpad has mechanical buttons... until you mentioned this is an essential feature for you.

[@freddynz]

I’m at work and can’t watch it atm, but just quickly, the Pro 8 is on special here atm (New Zealand), and I considered picking one up… but then I saw the price of keyboard and pen… $500 !! And closed the website…. That’s Apple level of excessive markup ! So I look forward to watching this after work…

[@innoiso]

Yep the first party keyboard and pen combo are very expensive!

[@mateooo1230]

I perfectly agree, we’re paying for at least $1,000 for the surface alone, plus the stylus pen plus keyboard separately.. I spent at least close to $1,500 for my hubby’s surface and the separate accessories.😮

[@chih-yulin4309]

Great alternative option! But can this keyboard charge through the surface pro connector? And what if it runs out of battery can it be use when connect to surface pro connector without cahrging? Because to bring another keyboard charger is not convenient.

[@DJAugAceP]

That Renaisser keyboard requires a separate charger. Not 100% sure if it has USB C end so u theoretically can charge keyboard via Surface USB ports while charging Surface with its own charger...

[@ccroy2001]

More than once I thought of using the MS typecover detached so I like that this one can do that. It would be a tough sell for me though. I've bought 2 Surfaces and each time I got a bundle that reduced the price of the typecover and pen.

[@DanielHarrisCodes]

Once upon a time MS had an adapter to let you use the type cover over Bluetooth

[@innoiso]

Hmm 😏 if only someone could cover such an adapter in an upcoming video

[@Muzikman127]

@@innoiso any time soon? :D

[@Muzikman127]

@@innoiso also, what's the name of a the product, googling for surface pro keyboard/type cover bluetooth adaptors doesn't bring anything up for me

[@DanielHarrisCodes]

People need to move on from the keyboard not being included. My keyboards have always lasted multiple surface pro generations and I don’t personally want prices pushed up and extra keyboards lying around. There’s often really good bundles with a keyboard on Amazon or Costco that people can buy. People can argue the keyboard is essential all they want but MS aren’t ever going to include one without bumping the price. Alternatives are available of course plenty on Amazon etc and have been for years. I really can’t see the problem. This video is good and great you are raising awareness of alternatives but I don’t think we need to keep complaining that the keyboard isn’t included when we know it isn’t. They also aren’t that expensive IMO, considering how much an Apple iPad keyboard would be

[@innoiso]

I don't want Microsoft to mark up products at the same level as Apple does though, or even close. And I can go without the Magic Keyboard but I can't go without the Type Cover. It is good that they carry over the same design and I figure the Surface Pro 9 will have a similar design so the keyboard will work. Hopefully other alternatives can continue to get better, Renaisser seems to be listening to feedback!

[@Dragonblaster1]

“Renaisser” (REN-ess-ay) sort of means “to be reborn”.

[@innoiso]

Ahhh! Thank you!

[@liamcollinson5695]

I agree type covers are expensive and I'm a bit salty the Microsoft continue to call the surface pro a laptop without actually including one

[@Niibaah]

Its expensive and it also not very durable. I have surface pro 7 since ,2020 and the keyboard is ruined. I have another laptop from 2018 and still working

[@mziaeem]

Hi, Thank you for your nice video. I have a surface signature keyboard with slim pen 2 and surface pro 8. when I plug my tablet to power or unplug it, the system shows me pen menu instantly like when you take the slim pen from its storage. Can you test it on your surface? I want to know is it normal behavior in surface devices?

[@freddynz]

thankyou for the review, if i pick up a pro 8/9/X then i will probably get this over the Microsoft one, simply due to price. The mouse click doesn't bother me as i always use "tap to click" anyway..... I wouldn't mind you doing a separate or more in-depth look at the pen, specifically how it compares to the Microsoft pen (which is more direct input than bluetooth). Also does the pen for previous models work with the 8, and of so does it fit in the slot provided by this keyboard?

[@innoiso]

There's a noticeable amount of latency and I just love the slim pen so much. It is nice that the eraser works, just like on the slim pen, but if I had to save a buck, I might just go with an older non-slim Surface Pen on discount.

[@DJAugAceP]

I just purchased my first Surface Pro 9. My question is: do these keyboards physically touch the screen? I just want to know if closing the keyboard especially when you use external cover leads to scratching of the Surface screen.

[@iuristasiv9360]

Nope, my type cover never scratched the screen, plus the material is Alcantara

[@firesoul453]

I dont want to have a keyboard that has a battery and needs charged. If it can't be powered by the pins, then it's not worth the hassle.

[@Ahmed-vn6fd]

Can the Renaisser keyboard connect to other devices as well using Bluetooth?

[@innoiso]

Yes!

[@Ahmed-vn6fd]

@innoiso will the trackpad work as well? I'm kinda interested to use this keyboard for when my PC is connected to the TV

[@BillDyszel]

Microsoft type covers are not only expensive, they wear out fast. The cloth covering frays and tears quickly. Most keyboards outlast the computers they come with, not MS. Why put a fabric cover on a $150 keyboard?

[@wilhelmpaulm]

They probably removed it so they don't have to add a battery to the surface pro cover, that's the weight with the dupe keyboard

[@innoiso]

It feels just a bit heavier but the amount of battery required to drive a keyboard is pretty minimal

[@papa-dt1cv]

Original keyboard skin, so easy affected by wear and tear faster than other keyboard..?

[@IkechukwuA1]

Nice review. Very transparent. Answered all my questions. I think I'll go with the signature keyboard!

[@PavelCrisostomo]

Love the genuine way you did it

[@suekarlin4646]

Can we use this keyboard for surface pro 7 and what type of material is this made up of ? Is this alacantara?

[@innoiso]

It's more plasticky than the Surface keyboard. And yes you can use it with the Surface Pro 7 since it's Bluetooth

[@terrycarlton6991]

That feature you don't care about adds to the cost of the MS typecover

[@HypnoToad248]

A very thorough and informative video and it was just what I was looking for. Thank you very much :-)

[@innoiso]

Thank you! Happy to help!

[@amirsheikh6439]

Great review ❤

[@carlitomilan235]

you are a life saver (money saver) I was ready to buy the whole Microsoft bundle (pen & keyboard) I wont after seeing your video! great job!😀

[@innoiso]

Hope it goes well!

[@killerjulian1042]

You could have mentioned that it‘s US only…

[@patrickfoster9469]

Thank you first method worked!

[@larazeesk7080]

I buy Surface Pro X 1876s for $20 each from a guy who gets them all the time -

[@mellenkemuma8773]

Hook me up

[@theniceneighbor]

this is a good review.

[@KatanaPlastik]

100% correct.

[@SP-bw3zp]

Good video