I guess I don't understand the experience of using another keyboard than the one built-in to the device. Haven't used it, but it wouldn't seem to be a good experience if you either had to set it on top of your existing keyboard or needed an extra 30% or so of desk space, only for 50% of your laptop real estate to be used for nothing.
I use a stand for my laptop, to improve the experience for my posture / neck. That means the external keyboard and mouse works well for me. I get what you're saying - but two things: the real estate under the keyboard is the computer and battery and cooling and connectors. And his keyboard was broken so using the external one is an assumed improvement in the moment. I'm not suggesting my solution is right for everyone. I am just surprised he didn't try it.
I guess I don't understand the experience of using another keyboard than the one built-in to the device. Haven't used it, but it wouldn't seem to be a good experience if you either had to set it on top of your existing keyboard or needed an extra 30% or so of desk space, only for 50% of your laptop real estate to be used for nothing.