Brydge debuts new SP Max+ for Surface Pro 8 that basically turns it into Surface Book
The new SP Max+ for Surface Pro 8 brings a Precision touchpad, detachable rugged shell and makes Microsoft’s tablet just like its discontinued Surface Book.
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Brydge is no stranger to taking tablet computers and making them … more. In November, Ireviewed the Brydge SP+for Microsoft’sSurface Pro 8, which lets Microsoft’s tablet slide in and connect to the keyboard via Bluetooth, making it more laptop-like than the Surface Type Cover.
While the SP+ is excellent, earning 4.5 stars (out of 5), there was no place for the new Surface Slim Pen to go, some people don’t love the hinge mechanism and the touchpad (while good) was not a Microsoft Precision one.
All of that is fixed in the more premium Brydge SP+ Max announced today.
The SP+ Max is an entirely different beast than the SP+, which is still available. For one, the Surface Pro 8 doesn’t just slide into the keyboard base, and instead, there’s a combo soft/hard-shell case that the Surface Pro 8 tablet enters first and then attaches to the keyboard via powerful magnets.
This new design adds 4-food drop protection (The SP Max+ meets military drop-test MIL-STD 810H standards) and makes the tablet more detachable. Indeed, strong magnets mean you almost have to tear off the tablet, so it won’t ever shake loose or come off in a drop.
It’s all a bit reminiscent of Microsoft’s discontinuedSurface Book, which functioned as a laptop, but let the screen detach to be used as a standalone tablet PC.
More interestingly, there is no Bluetooth connection this time. Instead, the SP+ Max uses one of the Surface Pro 8’s Type-C ports to power it directly. The result is no pairing and no delay in typing due to latency. Also, no internal battery needs recharging as the power is directly drawn from Surface Pro 8.
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That Type-C power connection lets the keyboard be backlit and works brilliantly.
This new direct connection similarly means, for the first time, Brydge can utilize Microsoft’sPrecision touchpad driversfor the large 110x60 mm click anywhere touchpad making this touchpad a much smoother and more accurate experience for cursor navigation. And from my limited experience in using it, it’s fantastic.
The SP+ Max has a silo above the function keys to store theSurface Slim Pen 2, just like the Surface Type Cover. However, the silo only holds the pen and will not recharge it.
Pricing for the Brydge SP+ Max for Surface Pro 8 is set at $229.99 and is available from Brydge and Amazon.
Look for our review of the SP+ Max for Surface Pro 8 in the coming weeks.
Brydge’s new add-on for Surface Pro 8 turns your tablet into a proper two-in-one laptop that is also super rugged for drops. While it’s not cheap, the added support, this time for full Microsoft Precision drivers and a backlit keyboard, make it a worthy upgrade for those who need it.
Daniel Rubino is the Editor-in-chief of Windows Central. He is also the head reviewer,podcast co-host, and analyst. He has been covering Microsoft since 2007, when this site was called WMExperts (and later Windows Phone Central). His interests include Windows, laptops, next-gen computing, and watches. He has been reviewing laptops since 2015 and is particularly fond of 2-in-1 convertibles, ARM processors, new form factors, and thin-and-light PCs. Before all this tech stuff, he worked on a Ph.D. in linguistics, watched people sleep (for medical purposes!), and ran the projectors at movie theaters because it was fun.
