A Surface device purchase isn’t complete without its respective Type Cover, and so alongside my base model Surface Pro 4, I decided to buy a teal Type Cover. I chose the teal color for three reasons. One, it’s easy on the eyes. Two, I don’t particularly care all that much what color my device is rocking. Even hot pink would be fine; even more desirable just because it’d be so fabulous. And three, perhaps most importantly, this is the first time Microsoft is offering a teal Type Cover, and seeing as how I’ll be spending a lot of time reviewing this device, it would be a great way to showcase the color for people who are curious as to how it portrays itself.

[pullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]”the new Type Cover is a dramatic improvement over its predecessor”[/pullquote]

As I’ve mentioned in my earlier hands-on with the Surface Pro 4, the new Type Cover is a dramatic improvement over its predecessor. The key travel no longer feels mushy and unconfident, instead with a laptop-like travel and emitting a precise, tactile sensation when pressed. The keys are much more spread out than before, encompassing the full breadth of the Type Cover body rather than just a tepid 80 percent of it. As such, it feels a lot less cramped to type on. Admittedly, I’m so used to typing on my Surface 3 Type Cover that the extra room actually feels strange. Of course, I shall adjust to that as time goes on.

I have to revise some of my earlier assessment of the glass trackpad. I said in my review earlier that it’s noticeably more quiet, and while they may have been because of the noisy mall ambiance, it could also be because it was a demo unit and was considerably more worn down. In typing this preview with the new Type Cover, the clicking of the trackpad is still pretty loud. However, it’s easier to actuate compared to the previous Type Cover, which was just downright harsh by comparison. And while it’s still pretty loud, the sound is a bit more tempered and refined in character.

Otherwise, the new glass trackpad is a massive improvement. It’s 40 percent larger in area, which makes it feel pretty Macbook-like. The glass is silky smooth. I mean REALLY silky smooth. I didn’t realize just how course my Surface 3 Type Cover was until I used this new one