Do older Surface Pro Type Covers work with Surface Pro X?

Type Covers
Type Covers (Image credit: Windows Central)

Do older Surface Pro Type Covers work with Surface Pro X?

Best answer: Unfortunately, you can't use old Surface Pro Type Covers with Surface Pro X. However, you can use them with the Surface Pro 7.The future of Surface Pro: Surface Pro X (From $999 at Microsoft)Get typing: Surface Pro X Type Cover ($140 at Microsoft)Type Cover compatible: Surface Pro 7 (From $750 at Microsoft)

Why can't you use older Type Covers with Surface Pro X?

The reason why you can't use older Surface Pro Type Covers with the Surface Pro X is because Microsoft has designed the device to be significantly thinner than all other Surface Pro devices before it. This means that the older Surface Pro Type Covers won't fit the chassis of the Surface Pro X. You'll need to get Microsoft's special Surface Pro X Type Cover that's designed to work with the new thickness.

Why get a Surface Pro X?

Surface Pro X open on table

Surface Pro X open on table (Image credit: Daniel Rubino/Windows Central)

While the incompatibility with older Surface Pro Type Covers is unfortunate, it's hardly a good reason to shy away from the Surface Pro X. It's got a sweet 13-inch 2880x1920 display, Microsoft's capable new SQ1 processor, and it can be outfitted with up to 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, too. It's got LTE connectivity, two convenient USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 ports, and compatibility with Windows Hello, as well. Lastly, as previously stated, the device is the most compact Surface Pro ever, coming in at just 1.68 pounds and featuring a slim design. With how well the device balances power with size and convenience, it's easy to see why the Surface Pro X is an exciting product.

What if you want to use an older Surface Pro Type Cover?

Surface Pro 7

Surface Pro 7

If your heart is set on using one of Microsoft's older Surface Pro Type Covers, then you'll want to check out the Surface Pro 7. The 12.3-inch 2736x1824 display will likely look great, and it will have awesome computing power thanks to its 10th Gen Intel CPUs. Also, it can be configured with up to 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage space, which should be more than enough for anyone. It has a Windows Hello-compatible camera as well, and it will be compatible with Wi-Fi 6, the newest Wi-Fi standard that provides significantly increased efficiency and speed. There's also a USB-C port, too. It's not as thin or light as the Surface Pro X, but this is what allows it to be compatible with older Surface Pro Type Covers.

Brendan Lowry

Brendan Lowry is a Windows Central writer and Oakland University graduate with a burning passion for video games, of which he's been an avid fan since childhood. You'll find him doing reviews, editorials, and general coverage on everything Xbox and PC. Follow him on Twitter.