Microsoft Surface Pro 13 Microsoft Surface Pro 13" Keyboard with Pen Review

The Microsoft Surface Pro 13" Keyboard with Pen bundle reliably turns your Surface into a laptop. The keyboard types well and the Slim Pen 2 is included, but you're paying a premium for official Microsoft gear. For a new purchase, better screens and performance exist elsewhere.

If you're looking at the Microsoft Surface Pro 13" Keyboard with Pen, you're probably trying to figure out if this accessory bundle is the right way to turn your Surface into a laptop. It's a keyboard cover and a Slim Pen 2, sold together for a price that's usually between $150 and $230, depending on where you look. This isn't a new tablet; it's the official typing and writing setup for the Surface Pro line. For productivity, it scores decently in our database, but it's not the top choice for artists or students compared to some dedicated tablets. The main question is whether paying for the official Microsoft gear is worth it over third-party options.

Performance for an accessory like this is about how well it does its job. The keyboard itself lands in the 82nd percentile for features among similar products, which means it's well above average. It has the solid typing feel and reliable connection you'd expect from the official hardware. The Slim Pen 2 is responsive and feels good in hand. However, the overall package isn't a performance powerhouse. The components it's designed to work with—think of the tablet's own CPU, RAM, and screen—tend to be middle of the pack or even a weak spot. The screen quality, for instance, is in the 24th percentile, so you're not getting a top-tier display with this setup. It's built for getting work done, not for blowing you away with specs.

Priced between $150 and $230, this bundle asks you to pay the official Microsoft tax. For that money, you get guaranteed compatibility and a good typing experience. But you have to ask yourself: is that worth it when there are capable third-party keyboards and stylus options for less? If you absolutely need the seamless integration and are willing to pay for it, this makes sense. If you're on a budget or your Surface is older, you might find better value elsewhere.

This accessory bundle puts the Surface Pro in a weird spot against competitors. The Apple iPad Pro with its Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil is a much more polished and powerful package for creativity and speed, but it's also a completely different (and more expensive) ecosystem. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S10+ offers a fantastic screen and better entertainment features for the money. Even within the Microsoft family, the newer Surface Pro with Copilot+ PC and an OLED screen is a massive leap forward in display quality and performance, making this older keyboard/pen combo feel tied to last-gen hardware. If you already own a compatible Surface Pro, this is the safe choice. If you're buying a whole new setup, look at the newer models or the competition first.

Skip this bundle if you're buying a new tablet from scratch. The screen and internal specs it pairs with are underwhelming. Also, avoid it if your main use is entertainment—it scores terribly there. Hardcore digital artists and gamers should look at iPads or high-end Android tablets. If you need maximum battery life or lots of ports for peripherals, this isn't your best bet either.

Should you buy the Microsoft Surface Pro 13" Keyboard with Pen? It's a solid 'maybe' that depends entirely on what you already own. If you have a recent Surface Pro and you've been using it as a tablet, wanting to turn it into a laptop, this bundle does that job reliably. The typing is good, the pen works well, and it's the official gear. But if you're considering a new tablet purchase from scratch, look at the newer Surface Pro with the OLED screen or the iPad Pro. This accessory bundle is best for someone who's already invested in the Surface ecosystem and needs the laptop conversion kit. For everyone else, it's hard to recommend over the more complete packages offered by the competition.