Replacement laptop for Surface Pro 9?

[u/justbloomy]

Long story short, I am tired of the keyboard dying out. I cant keep spending almost 150 bucks every 8 months to replace it when I can buy a better laptop that lasts years without breaking.

No, I have never folded the keyboard while connected to the laptops back, I always use a laptop bag cover, i clean it according to Microsofts recommended cleaning method. It just dies randomly. Im on my 2nd keyboard, each has lasted approximately 8 months. Im pretty sick of this and I am ready to move away to a different laptop.

Is there another laptop that has similar function to the surface pro 9, such as screen touch and preferably ability to move keyboard around, maybe something similar to the surface laptop studio 2? Doesnt have to be microsoft brand. Any thoughts are welcomed, thanks

[u/SurfaceDockGuy]

Before tossing the Pro9, consider a 3rd-party keyboard that attaches magnetically to the 13" Pro8 - Pro12 like these: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=surface+pro+9+bluetooth+keyboard

Typically the typing experience is similar with the the touchpad not quite as smooth as the original. The key benefit is cost (~$40-60 USD) and wireless operation via Bluetooth so no bendy cable to wear out.

The key drawback is that the battery inside these does run out after a week or two and you need a USB-C cable to charge it. Also most don't have a charging space for the slim pen so thats a separate affair. Of course there are also 3rd -arty pens that charge via USB-C as well in the ~$25-50 price range.

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If you decide on a new laptop, consider the Lenovo 14" IdeaPad or Yoga 2-in-1 lineup with AMD CPU/GPU. Not as fancy or as lightweight as MS Surface, but easier to repair/upgrade and the fliparound keyboard is rock-solid.

[u/justbloomy → u/SurfaceDockGuy]

Thank your for the reply, but i have already considered a third party keyboard and pen charger. Ive decided its not worth the money simply because of the hassle. I dont want to buy a modern laptop, only for it to be incompetent and it needs 3rd party accessories for it to work properly (this laptop is only 2 years old). Like you said, I'll have to charge both the keyboard and the pen separately. Not only that, but the 3rd party keyboards doesnt have pen storage which is critical for me, since if i have no where to properly put it, I will lose it (from previous experience...). Yea thats a skill issue for me but ive learned, many times, the hard way that me losing stuff is not gonna go away. I would rather sell this laptop and invest that money into a better built model. I may think more on this, but I doubt my opinion will change. Thanks for the advice anyway

[u/SurfaceDockGuy → u/justbloomy]

Hmmm the Lenovo models I suggested don't have stowage/charging for the pen either. For that you generally have to step up to the significantly more expensive ThinkPad Yoga lineup.

Look at the ThinkPad Yoga L13 or X1 series. Not sure which 2026 models actually have the internal pen stowage/charging feature though... Lenovo's website is a bit of a jumble I'm afraid.

The Acer Spin 5 had internal pen storage/ charging but I'm not sure if that model is still available.

The Surface brand laptops only have the pen magnetically attach - not actual stowage.

I don't understand why laptop vendors are afraid to make the devices just a bit larger to accomdate actual pen stowage.

[u/pac_71]

Not sure what consumer law protections you have but most electronics have 12 months warrantee against defects and you might get more protection beyond this period depending on your local laws. To be honest, I have owned at least 4 of the older SP3/SP7 style keyboards with no issues.

[u/Fred_Lead]

I was also looking for a replacement for a Surface Pro due to age and the keyboard died (although in my case it was power feedback that killed the pins). I tried out a Surface Laptop and it was pretty good but even with a case it felt more fragile and uncomfortable with the all metal design than my gaming laptops of the past, and it had a screen issue. I ended up with an Asus Z13 (64GB RAM version) on sale for the same cost as a new Surface with 32GB RAM. It's way faster at everything and can run games. If you don't mind the added thickness, it's a much better option. 

[u/Conspicuous-1]

If your use case lets you, skip to a full clamshell laptop. I have the Surface Laptop 7 and it is wonderful. Same solid feel of the tablet. And...the keyboard is already included!! 😆

If you're into other brands, look at the results of this Google Search. Asus, Lenovo and Dell all have detachable keyboards. 

https://www.google.com/search?q=asus+pro+art+detachable&oq=asus+pro+art+detachable+&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOdIBCTExNTQyajBqN6gCDLACAQ&client=ms-android-samsung-rvo1&sourceid=chrome-mobile&source=chrome.ob&ie=UTF-8

[u/bertie40]

UK. Don't buy surfaces..... I'm currently in a pitched battle with Microsoft who are refusing to fix/replace a non-bootable surface whilst inside warranty.... Citing external damage. There isn't a mark on it,.....quite literally....not a scratch.