Reddit reviews Kensington Microsoft Surface Pro Rugged Case for Surface Pro 6, 5 (2017) and 4 - BlackBelt 2nd Degree Rugged Case (K97443WW)

SP4 i7/16gb/256 user here.

I am currently using a Kensington Black Belt 2nd Degree for a couple months now. It is not bulky and offers good protection for the back and sides of my SP4. Another positive note is that it allows full mobility of the keyboard. You can keep it magnetically attached and fold it back all the way if you want to use tablet mode.

The case is so slim that it can be also placed in a sleeve or laptop bag if that is how you transport your SP.

https://amzn.com/B019TTJHCO

The Surface Pro with LTE Advanced seems to match your needs. The LTE model comes with a nano SIM card slot so your AT&T 4G plan should work with it. With the current promotion, this model (i5, 256GB SSD, 8GB RAM) is $1250 so its only just outside your budget, if that's fine. Keep in mind though that you would need to buy the Type Cover for the Surface.

I've seen a few rugged cases on Amazon like this one from Kensington or this one from UAG so those should be fine. Here's the Microsoft Store page for the Surface itself. You can also buy some of the accessories bundled together (like the UAG case and Type Cover) by clicking on "SEE DEALS" and going to "Bundle and Save", although there isn't much of a discount.

Edit: You could probably go for an older used Surface Pro as well to save money, but be sure to buy the LTE model otherwise it won't have a SIM card slot.

My personal favorite Kensington

It seems like both use the same cases. I have the Kensington BlackBelt 2nd Degree case.

Review that made me a bit concerned about the kensington case:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/review/B019TTJHCO/R13XQ7NEOIFSYG?ref_=glimp_1rv_cl

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/review/B019TTJHCO/RUONU0BGHP66E?ref_=glimp_1rv_cl

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/review/B019TTJHCO/R3MSWM7RLD53OQ?ref_=glimp_1rv_cl

I have this one:
https://www.amazon.com/Kensington-Microsoft-Surface-BlackBelt-K97443WW/dp/B019TTJHCO/ref=pd_cp_147_3?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B019TTJHCO&pd_rd_r=8MW24R8GMW3WTNN5ZX8B&pd_rd_w=HRMA5&pd_rd_wg=YFWLe&psc=1&refRID=8MW24R8GMW3WTNN5ZX8B

The top half is heavy and I know the back of my SP4/SP gets warm without a cover so this probably isn't helping with heat dissipation. Covering the back of the device is pretty much common to all cases it seems so I don't know if this is better or not. It doesn't lay flat against the case, it has some ridges to lift it up which probably makes it dissipate heat better. There are holes that line up with the vent holes.

This case was pretty much made for the military:

UAG

If you get him a non-Core M3 SP4 though, the heatsink is behind the kickstand, and a case that allows the kickstand to open would prevent overheating.

Kensington Black Belt

From light scratches? Yes. Drops? No. And while protecting from scratches may help it keep an aesthetically pleasing look, protecting from drops keeps the device usable in most situations where you'd otherwise have a broken screen or device.

I ended up getting this case for mine. Doesn't block the built-in stand so you can keep using that, it has a strap on the back to make it easier to hold with one hand, a place to put the pen that makes it much harder to lose it, and a little rubber thing at the top to hold the keyboard to the screen to keep it together when moving around. Very much worth it IMO.

https://www.amazon.com/Kensington-Microsoft-Surface-BlackBelt-K97443WW/dp/B019TTJHCO

http://www.amazon.com/Kensington-Degree-Microsoft-Surface-K97443WW/dp/B019TTJHCO?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00

I'm an engineering student with mine and I have the Kensington Black Belt case for it. Keeps it safe from all the scuffs from the machinery and drops from tables.

I had the urban armor gear one for awhile, but noticed it had ventilation problems due to a form of heat dissipation seems to exist behind the devices' built in kickstand. Also the UAG case has a kickstand with only 4 positions and the cord used to keep the type cover in place broke after 4 months of use.

The Kensington case allows you to use the built in kickstand and is just a better quality built case all around in my opinion

I bought mine on amazon for around $50 but it's the same price bracket MSRP as the

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B019TTJHCO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_lW2IybA6FCFFS

Source: Owned both cases, more in love with the Kensington.

This case kept me from needing to pick up a bag. Super durable, has a secure place for the pen and I get lots of compliments on it when I'm traveling. (I also put a black skin on the kickstand so it blends in perfectly.)

I normally don't put cases on my devices but I'm really happy with this one - especially how it secures the pen and keyboard when closed.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B019TTJHCO/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_2?pf_rd_p=1944687702&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B00HY5IORK&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0HEQDJ6TKHFS7QR2RY5P

If I can make a recommendation... The Kensington Black Belt Case allows you to use the kickstand on the Surface Pro, which is better than the one in the UAG case. Still works with the type cover, holds the Surface Pen, and is a bit cheaper.

(Yes, I am biased; I worked on the engineering team who makes it).

Mini dp adapter, 3-1..
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01CZLW6U8/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1502494426&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=mini+displayport+adapter+3-1&dpPl=1&dpID=41LsbiqjAqL&ref=plSrch

Maybe a Chromecast or dell widi for casting to a tv...

My case
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B019TTJHCO/ref=mp_s_a_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1502494717&sr=8-7&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=surface+pro+4+case&dpPl=1&dpID=41lPICsnh7L&ref=plSrch

Xbox s controller because it's Bluetooth

Travel router, I used this one for years didn't cost that my think I paid 30 for it..
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00HQ883T4/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1502494967&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=travel+router+netgear&dpPl=1&dpID=31syZLJTdpL&ref=plSrch

Samsung evo 256gb micro sd, create a virtual hd and mount it at startup this will make it look like a hd and not external device..

A battery back that either have a outlet or a surface connector..

My mouse it's both Bluetooth and usb
https://www.amazon.com/Razer-Orochi-Mobile-Gaming-Mouse/dp/B00AAS88K6

I've found a similar one that is by Kensington but my only concerns with it is that there have been reviews where users have stated that it leaves a mark on surface when you remove it

Yes but there was this.

Awhile back I also dropped my old SP3 about two feet onto pavement, the bag slipped off my shoulder whilst bending down. Bag was lightly padded but no case. Struck edge first diagonally on the corner, the screen shattered like a wine glass.

Amusingly enough this was in the parking lot of the microsoft store that I was going to, i had just gotten out of my car. literally 10 minutes and $49 later I had a brand new SP3 in hand.

Complete is just epic.

Anyway, get the case I linked to. It is the best and I have tried them all.

https://www.amazon.com/Kensington-Microsoft-Surface-BlackBelt-K97443WW/dp/B019TTJHCO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1550498150&sr=8-1&keywords=surface+pro+6+kensington+case

This is one of them https://www.amazon.com/Kensington-Microsoft-Surface-Rugged-Case/dp/B019TTJHCO?ref_=fsclp_pl_dp_5

Big supporter of the Kensington Second Degree case, does it need it? Probably not but I'd rather reserve MS complete for something very serious.

Is this it? : https://www.amazon.com/Kensington-BlackBelt-Microsoft-Surface-K97443WW/dp/B019TTJHCO/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1485741564&sr=8-2-fkmr0&keywords=Kensington+Black+Belt+II+microsoft+surface

Do you know of any case that protects the kick-stand for the SP4? Maybe something that slides in and out to cover it?