Microsoft Surface Power Cover, compatible with Surface 2, Surface Pro, Surface Pro 2. Black - Model 5VX00001

Amazon should have a DATE PROMINENT with the actual star review as sitting stock (even if unopened) do expire over time - lithium ion batteries not exempt from this at all, much like food stuff expire dates.To give a history, back when Power Covers are released for sale from Microsoft, I purchased some from their website and Amazon and all have been able to charge and dischage for extended Surface Pro range and endurance. But that was well over three years ago.For reference, the still able previous Power Cover I had to resort to using again sits at 25% to 33% wear, compared to the stable 9 to 10% wear of the main Surface Pro 2 battery I still use daily. Both were purchased well over two years ago (close to three I think).Fast forward to last October (2016) I purchased three since then. All of them are unopened - seals unbroken - but all have the same result. That result is that there is a good working keyboard (and no use from me, trackpad) but a non-charging battery.No matter what I subjected each of them to my DC power supply generator of setting to various voltages to be inputted (by wiring a Surface Pro connector part to the DC power supply leads) none of them will recognize in my Surface Pro 2 as having a full charge, either my Surface goes straight to being full (not really, the bias only recognizes discharging the main battery of the Surface) from "half" charged - battery recognized but not charging, or no battery recognized at all.I plugged in my older Power Cover (one which still is taking a charge but has been degrading in terms of wear) and it is definitely not my Surface Pro 2 not being able to recognize and charge batteries through the connector port. No - it is flat out because these lithium ion batteries sat too long, unused and drained to the utmost ZERO charge - which is never good for these batteries.I tried to recycle these batteries to be usable - but if anything these are now material fodder to remake or repurpose to something else.... No longer able to be a WONDERFUL Surface Pro 1 and Pro 2 companion anymore.If anyone has an idea to restore charging cycling capabilities to lithium ion batteries that sat well over two years (which I presume these have done since well in box from the manufacturing line) then I am all ears and eyes on textual descriptions. Because my simple efforts of soldering a Surface connector with Power Cover pins to a DC power generator did not work in restoring charging cycling.Remember kids, just because it is electric that does not mean it is longevity in long term cold-no-use storage or Earth conscious friendly in the material acquisition chain from mining, processing, and manufacturing AND ALSO cradle to grave in disuse and retirement! A problem with an ever growing consumer electronics consuming market.This was a Four Star Product with relation to the year 2014-ish. Now at late 2016 to 2017 of any person buying stale unopened stock still sitting in third party resellers' shelves - sold to them in bulk by liquidation from Microsoft (Storage and Storage management is COSTLY) this is STILL a good product, but by definition - this is a more bulky and more mass Type Cover - which by that definition and relation to consumers sits at about a 1 to 3 star depending on their perspective. Something many do not consider or think about.And what is the sad part? While there are third party AC Power Adapters from other sellers and manufacturers, there has yet to be one that even considers making or selling a replacement Power Cover, despite Microsoft easily sourcing designs for continuation of extended function - something that a sole source company like Apple relies on HEAVILY with varying degrees.And I do not see the same thing in the newer Surface Pro 4's for offering extended duration and computational endurance either..... shame because this is a WONDERFUL concept - if people can get past the handling perception of mass and bulk.

I have several Pro 2s and I like these power covers a lot. I like the typing feel; I like the extra batteries. However, these power covers have been out of manufacture for several years, and if a new one has sat in storage for that time, it will usually have "sleeping" batteries that the Surface Pro 2 will not charge from that state. Of the 3 I own, 2 came to me that way, including this latest one I got through Amazon. On those 2 with the "sleeping" batteries, I carefully cut (exacto) and pealed away the backing that was not designed to be removed; unscrewed and removed the aluminum cover to expose the batteries; "woke up" the batteries with 3.7 volts from a DC power supply (you can find procedure on the internet); and resealed the pealed backing by superglueing the exacto'd seam that I had cut, clamping it tight with large size office supply store binder clips until the glue dried. Result was a pretty good seam, but you must work with care and patience. Pro 2 then charged it up fine and it was very hungry. Though this unit had clearly been in storage for several years, the windows "powercfg /batteryreport" showed an actual battery capacity of 27 mWh which is higher than the original design capacity of 26 mWh. If you are not interested in performing this kind of surgery on one of these, you should avoid buying one unless the seller has tested it and guarentees you that it will charge.

Wasn't sure I would like this because of the weight, but it's an incredible product! Once you get used to the extra weight of the keyboard, and the less sensitive mouse pad (I'm still just a little annoyed that I cannot feel the mousepad from the left click from the right click), the battery boost makes all of the difference in the world. I was only getting about 2 hours of battery and now I would say more like 5 hours. Windows task panel battery icon shows both batteries and list individual state of charge and overall charge; very easy to manage. Windows will sometimes say 10 hours and 59 minutes of charge remaining, but with regular use its about 2 for the Surface Pro and 3 more for the battery keyboard. I also like the extra protection I feel the keyboard gives to the Surface Pro screen when I put it in my backpack - the keyboard is not flexible like the original touch keyboard. One final comment for Surface Pro users, check out "Liquid Armor", which is about $30 and can be applied to touchscreens to protect them as a hardener. I wish I could explain how it works but I can't; once you apply, you won't notice old minor scratches and the screen is now Hardness 8 coated glass! Check them out at a local Staples store - someone at the store should be willing to apply it to your screen.

No reason why the quality shouldn't be given the highest rating. It cost much less than ones we saw in brick and mortar but possibly this could be from a price reduction because it was over a year ago. It's a little tricky to get out of the package. The way it functions is at least as good, if not better, than standard PC keyboards. Totally satisfied with ordering, price, delivery, and product. This really is a Microsoft name brand product and it shows. Like the xbox and zune, quality is grade A and if you want to take it off it has that handy magnetic connection deal, like the charger has, that I've only seen on the Surface. This makes connecting it so easy that I think my dog could do it. Connections aren't always that easy for me as I can tell when I plug in my HTC smart phone and use that tiny little plug that I can never figure out which way is upside down on. So anything they can do to make connections easier is great in my opinion. With this Surface, we already had a padded folding cover for it and were pleasantly surprised to see that both can still be used at the same time, so if the Surface ever gets dropped it will take a lot to break it with "double protection" going for it.

Battery wouldn't hold a charge because it's 3 year old stock. I bought one from the manufacturer that also had to be returned for the same reason.It's a nice keyboard though.

5 stars. it's a Microsoft product -- product! What more can I say?

Great keyboard. Says I now have 8hours of battery life 😀

So far it's working good. Came on time. Only issue as if now is it doesn't always connect to the tablet. There can be a delay. But other than that getting used to it.

Does the job but is heavier than the original so good for at-home use only.