Surface Pro 4 keyboard compatibility with Surface Pro 3 while docked not quite compatible.

I did not get the keyboard with finger printer sensor, but now that I have the Pro 4 I have Hello that logs in with facial nonrecognition, very cool!

I received my keyboard with the fingerprint sensor today.  At first blush it didn't seem

to work as smoothly when dropping the surface (with keyboard attached) into the 

Surface Docking station (originally for the Surface Pro 3). When I comparing the portion of the two keyboards that connect to the Surface, I found no noticeable difference (didn't use a micrometer or other measuring device - just eyeballing it).

I then noticed that when I connected the Surface to the keyboard, folded them together and pulled the keyboard up (parallel to the surface toward the  edge opposite the edge that the keyboard hooks to) the magnetic strip that is between the keyboard proper and the strip that has the connector moved slightly away from the connector edge. I then dropped the surface with the keyboard attached into the docking station, folded down the keyboard - Viola - everything fit and worked correctly.

This slight manipulation was un-necessary when using my original Surface Pro 3 keyboard, but it doesn't seem all that awkward to accomplish with the new keyboard prior to installing in the dock.

The increased ability to type (I'm a fairly rapid touch typist) without constant mistakes on the new keyboard is well worth the minor hassle of developing the habit of doing the above prior to putting the Surface / Keyboard in the dock.

Unless the QA on production allows considerably more variation between this portion of the two keyboards (with and without the fingerprint sensor), I would expect the manipulation I describe above would work with the other model keyboard as well (although I'm not sure because I don't own the other model).

I was considering doing a little surgery with a razor blade on the portion of the keyboard that interferes with the docking - now - I don't feel the need.

I was thinking that the version with the finger print sensor may be different, so yea please post if it works.

Thanks!

I found a solution! I bought a new dock, actually two of them, one for home and the office. Then I just went ahead and got a Pro 4. $2,000 or so later problem solved. :-)

I could only get my Pro 4 keyboard in the flat position while in the Pro 3 dock. I really did not want to have to fiddle with it or modify anything. Seems like MS either did this intentionally or no one there knows how to test things for compatibility.

On the plus side, the display is much clearer, noticeable, making my Pro 3 look a bit blurry by comparison. The Hello feature is super cool, and is a one up on Apple's finger print sensor. Very high tech with the infra red light scanning me. The light thinness and weight reduction is noticeable, but I will probably forget that difference in a day. The magnet for the pen is a nice feature to stow it when you want to use it, but I don't feel that it can stay there when I toss my Surface in my bag. Nothing so far is noticeable with speed. The keyboard is a huge improvement and every Pro 3 users needs to get it. The new dock is functional, but looks like they outsourced the design to HP. I could improve the design in many ways. The slightly larger screen is nicer, but if Dell can eliminate the bezel on the XPS, I am surprise we still have one at all.

I have owned every Surface Pro, 1, 2, 3 and now 4 and it has improved nicely every time. So I feel like at the very least I am supporting MS Surface and hope to be buying the 5, 6, 7 8...

Best computer on the planet!

Wondering if the Pro 4 with finger print sensor is any different.

I just ordered the keyboard with the fingerprint senor   ....   should get it in a couple of days  ...   will answer the question " Wondering if the Pro 4 with finger print sensor is any different." after I receive it.