Microsoft foldable Bluetooth keyboard review: 5mm ultra-thin and feels good

Microsoft is very experienced in manufacturing PC peripherals. At the MWC exhibition at the beginning of the year, they launched a portable Bluetooth folding keyboard, the Universal Foldable Keyboard. After four months of preparation, the keyboard was finally put on sale for $99.95, which is about RMB 620.

Microsoft points out that the foldable keyboard supports Windows, Android, iOS and OS X devices, and can last up to three months on a single charge.

In addition, the keyboard can be connected to two different devices at a time, and can be switched with one click .

Hardware

There are all kinds of Bluetooth keyboards on the Internet these days, and Microsoft has also launched their ultra-portable foldable Bluetooth keyboard, which incorporates their own deep keyboard manufacturing skills. As its name suggests, this keyboard is very thin and light, and in theory, it should also provide an excellent typing experience. The following are the hardware parameters of Microsoft's foldable Bluetooth keyboard:

-5mm ultra-thin keyboard

-Smart Bluetooth (i.e. Bluetooth 4.0)

- One charge can last up to 3 months

-Waterproof design

- Compatible with iPhone, Android, Windows and WP8.1 (GDR2)

-Can connect to two devices, easily switch the connection device through the paddle switch

-Magnetic closure

-Micro USB charging port

How do I pair with other devices?

The pairing operation of the Microsoft Foldable Bluetooth Keyboard is very simple. Just press and hold the "Device 1" or "Device 2" button in the upper left corner for a few seconds, and wait for the indicator light to start flashing to start pairing. Next, use the "OS" switch key in the upper right corner of the keyboard to select the operating system of the paired device, and select the foldable Bluetooth keyboard in the settings of the paired device. Finally, enter a six-digit pairing code on the keyboard as required and press Enter to complete the pairing.

Every time you open or close the keyboard, it will automatically turn on or off. If the keyboard has been paired with a device in Bluetooth range, the keyboard will automatically pair with it without having to set it up again.

design

It is obvious that Microsoft has fully borrowed the design of the Type Cover keyboard case for Surface 3 and Surface Pro 3 when designing the foldable Bluetooth keyboard. In fact, the keyboard and key size of Surface are relatively larger, but in terms of key design, external aesthetics and even the choice of keyboard back cover fabric, Microsoft's foldable Bluetooth keyboard is exactly the same as the Surface Type Cover keyboard case.

This is a good thing, because the Surface keyboard cover was designed with full consideration of how to make it thinner and lighter, so the Microsoft foldable Bluetooth keyboard has inherited the extremely thin and light characteristics of the Surface keyboard.

Typing and key travel

Compared with the appearance design, the experience of using a keyboard is more important. I have been using the Microsoft Foldable Bluetooth Keyboard these days, which is quite optimistic.

Even though the foldable Bluetooth keyboard is very thin and light, the key travel feels very noticeable, just like typing on a laptop. In fact, the key travel of the Microsoft Foldable Bluetooth Keyboard is even longer than that of some laptops. It's not as good as the keyboard of the classic Lenovo ThinkPad notebook, but it can be folded freely and easily put into a pocket or purse.

In general, typing preferences vary from person to person. Some people like the loud typing sound of mechanical designs, while others prefer a quieter, softer keyboard. For the size of this keyboard, I am very satisfied with its key feedback.

The keys of the Microsoft Foldable Bluetooth Keyboard look smaller than those of the Surface Keyboard, but slightly larger than the keys of the Microsoft Ergo Keyboard I have on hand. The Ergo Keyboard has a relatively scattered layout, while the Microsoft Foldable Bluetooth Keyboard has a more compact layout.

I quite like the compact foldable Bluetooth keyboard. Of course, it takes a little adaptation at the beginning and only uses fingertips to tap the keyboard. But to be honest, the Microsoft foldable Bluetooth keyboard does make some compromises in terms of convenience.

Nothing is perfect

If there are any downsides to the Microsoft Foldable Bluetooth Keyboard, I think it's that the keyboard is a bit floppy in the center and doesn't have a backlit keyboard. While it wouldn't cost much to put mini LED lights around the keys, it would greatly reduce the "three-month" battery life. Still, it would be a real eye-catcher if this keyboard did have backlit keys.

As for the softness in the center of the keyboard, I think everyone knows the reason, because it is a foldable keyboard. If you put it on a hard surface, there will be no problem. But if you want to put it on your legs, you have to pay attention to the force of typing, because it may start to fold by itself if you are not careful.

The above so-called defects seem to be deliberately picking faults, but compared with its ingenious design, these are nothing!

About Windows Phone compatibility and connectivity with Windows 8.1

Microsoft's foldable Bluetooth keyboard works perfectly with Windows Phone devices. Just make sure your phone's system version is upgraded to WP8.1 Update 2 Build 15127 or later. You can check the phone's settings to see that the system version brings Bluetooth HID support to Windows Phone. Windows 10 Mobile also natively supports Bluetooth HID.

Despite this, the keyboard still has problems adapting to the Windows Phone system. For example, many function keys including volume control, pause, play and search seem to be incompatible with Windows Phone. However, all the function keys of the keyboard, even the "lock screen" function, are well compatible with Windows 8.1 devices, but for WP8.1 devices, only the QWERTY keyboard part can be used.

Is it worth $100?

As mentioned above, Bluetooth keyboards are now very popular. Whether it is a first-line brand or a copycat brand, you can find Bluetooth keyboards that are much cheaper than the Microsoft Foldable Bluetooth Keyboard.

However, the Microsoft foldable Bluetooth keyboard, which costs about 620 yuan, also has the following advantages:

Ultra-portable

Elegant design with magnetic closure

Extra long battery life (with convenient USB charging feature)

Excellent key travel and typing feedback

If you often use your phone or tablet (or both) to work, then the Microsoft Foldable Bluetooth Keyboard is a good investment. It is perfect for professionals who work on the go.

If you are looking for a fancy accessory that you might only use occasionally, then I suggest you save the 620 bucks because it is not worth the money for you and you should buy a cheaper Bluetooth keyboard.

In summary, Microsoft has not only brought a unique solution to Windows/Windows Phone users, but also impacted the accessories market of Android and iOS platforms. Except for being a bit expensive, other aspects are very satisfactory. Currently, this keyboard has been launched in the US and UK markets, and is expected to arrive in the Chinese market soon.

As a winner of Toutiao's Qingyun Plan and Baijiahao's Bai+ Plan, the 2019 Baidu Digital Author of the Year, the Baijiahao's Most Popular Author in the Technology Field, the 2019 Sogou Technology and Culture Author, and the 2021 Baijiahao Quarterly Influential Creator, he has won many awards, including the 2013 Sohu Best Industry Media Person, the 2015 China New Media Entrepreneurship Competition Beijing Third Place, the 2015 Guangmang Experience Award, the 2015 China New Media Entrepreneurship Competition Finals Third Place, and the 2018 Baidu Dynamic Annual Powerful Celebrity.