TheSurface Book 2is the second generation of theSurface Book,part of theMicrosoftSurfaceline of personal computers. It is a2-in-1 PCwhich can be used like a conventional laptop, or the screen can be detached and used separately as a tablet, with touch and stylus input. In addition to the 13.5-inch screen available in the originalSurface Bookintroduced two years before, it is also available in a 15-inch screen model. It was released in November 2017,[1]and replaced in Microsoft's product line by theSurface Book 3in May 2020.[2]
 | |
 | |
| Developer | Microsoft |
|---|---|
| Product family | Microsoft Surface |
| Type | 2-in-1 PC |
| Generation | 2 |
| Release date | November 16, 2017 |
| Operating system | Windows 10Pro |
| CPU | 13.5 ":IntelCorei5-7300Udual-core, Intel Core i5-8350U quad-core, Intel Core i7-8650U quad-core 15 ":Intel Core i7-8650U quad-core |
| Memory | 13.5 ":8 or 16GBLPDDR3 RAM 15 ":16GBLPDDR3 RAM |
| Storage | SSD:128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB, 1TB |
| Removable storage | Full-sizeSDcard slot (supportsSDXCUHS-1 cards) |
| Display | 13.5 ":13.5 in (34 cm), 3000×2000 (267PPI)LCD 15 ":15 in (38 cm), 3240×2160 (260 PPI) LCD |
| Graphics | 13.5 ":IntelHD Graphics 620 orNVIDIAGeForce GTX 1050with 2GB of GDDR5 RAM 15 ":NVIDIAGeForce GTX 1060with 6GB of GDDR5 RAM |
| Sound | Stereo speakers, dual microphones,headsetjack |
| Input | Keyboard, touchpad mouse,stylus pen,sensors:accelerometer,gyroscope,magnetometer,ambient light,Surface Dial |
| Camera | 5.0MPfront, 8.0 MP rear1080p HDvideo recording |
| Dimensions | 13.5 ": 12.3 in (31 cm)(length) 9.4 in (24 cm)(width) 0.51 to 0.90 in (1.3 to 2.3 cm)(depth) 15 ": 13.5 in (34 cm)(length) 9.87 in (25.1 cm)(width) 0.568 to 0.90 in (1.44 to 2.29 cm)(depth) |
| Mass | 13.5 ": i5: 3.38 pounds (1,530 g) i7: 3.62 pounds (1,640 g) 15 ": 4.2 pounds (1,900 g) |
| Predecessor | Surface Book |
| Successor | Surface Book 3 |
| Website | Surface |
Features
editHardware
editThe Surface Book 2 features a full-body magnesium alloy construction.[3]The device comes in two distinct portions: a tablet that contains theCPU,storage,wireless connectivity and touchscreen, and a hardware keyboard base that contains a high-performance mobileGPU,supported by its own active cooling system.
The device contains twoUSB 3.0Gen-1 ports, aUSB-Cport, 3.5 mm headphone jack, full-sizedSDcard slot, and twoSurface Connectports (one of which is always occupied by the keyboard base for communication between the two hardware portions, unless the tablet is detached from the base).[4]The front-facing camera contains an infrared sensor that supports login usingWindows Hello.
From a hardware perspective, this device marks Microsoft's first time to provide USB-C natively in any Surface device, also supporting USB-C Power Delivery.[5]It was the only Surface computer equipped with USB-C untilMicrosoft's introduction of theSurface Go,in August 2018.
| Surface Book 2 Configuration Options[6][7] | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price Tier (USD) | Size | CPU | GPU | RAM | Internal Storage |
| 1,149 | 13.5 " | Intel Corei5-7300U(2.6 to 3.5 GHz) | Intel HD Graphics 620 | 8GB | 128 GB |
| 1,299 | 256 GB | ||||
| 1,499 | Intel Corei5-8350U(1.7 to 3.6 GHz)[8] | ||||
| 1,699 | Intel Corei7-8650U(1.9 to 4.2 GHz) | ||||
| 1,999 | Intel UHD Graphics 620 + NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 | ||||
| 2,499 | 16GB | 512 GB | |||
| 2,999 | 1 TB | ||||
| 1,999 | 15 " | Intel Core i5-8350U (1.7 to 3.6 GHz) | Intel HD Graphics 620 | 16 GB | 256 GB |
| 2,499 | Intel Core i7-8650U (1.9 to 4.2 GHz) | Intel UHD Graphics 620 + NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 | |||
| 2,899 | 512 GB | ||||
| 3,299 | 1 TB | ||||
Software
editSurface Book 2 models ship with a pre-installed 64-bit version ofWindows 10 Proand a 30-daytrialofMicrosoft Office 365.Windows 10 comes pre-installed with Mail, Calendar, People, Xbox (app), Photos, Movies and TV, Groove, and Microsoft Edge. With Windows 10 theTablet modeis available when the base is detached from the device. In this mode, all windows are opened full-screen and the interface becomes more touch-centric.
Accessories
editThe Surface Book 2 isbackward-compatiblewith all accessories of its direct predecessors, such as theSurface Dock,Surface DialandSurface Pen.The device's nativepen computingcapabilities are based on N-trig technology Microsoft acquired in 2015, but major improvements were made to reduce input latency, add tilt support, and capture up to 4096 levels of pressure sensitivity. Following the device's general public launch, Microsoft has also published a series of software updates that further improved the device's palm rejection and pen computing accuracy.
| Timeline of Surface devices |
|---|
 |
Reception
edit
The Surface Book 2 received broadly positive reviews, often compared favorably toApple'sMacBook Prolineup. Most reviews applauded the Surface Book 2's keyboard for offering a class-leading 1.55 mm of key travel, significant performance improvement, well-controlled thermals, and new hinge - now redesigned and built as one singular component that increased device rigidity, improved overall docking reliability, and reduced screen wobble.
Other improvements include an improved IR camera that activates faster and supports enhanced anti-spoofingWindows Hellofacial recognition, a fastersolid-state drivewith full drive encryption from first-boot, a built-inTPM chip,and two new cooling systems (for the CPU and GPU) that produce less high-pitched noise. The finger scoop has also been reshaped to avoid breaking the glass screen when the lid is being closed, which is a problem its predecessor suffered.
Devindra Hardawar ofEngadgetsaid of the 15-inch model, "The Surface Book 2 is exactly what we've wanted from a high-end Microsoft laptop. It's powerful, sturdy and its unique hinge doesn't come with any compromises."[9]Hardawar also directly compared the Surface Book 2 to Apple's Macbook Pro saying, "It's the closest a PC maker has come to taking on the MacBook Pro, both in style and substance."[10]
Tom Warren, ofThe Verge,also gave the Surface Book 2 positive notice, praising its performance, keyboard, and touchpad. He did, however, express reservations about the hardware design being largely unchanged, noting "I’d still like to see Microsoft refine the design more to address the hinge and screen wobble fully, and pack in a better power supply. It’s surprising to see the same design after two years, and I was expecting bigger refinements and changes."[11]
Issues
editThe Surface Book 2 faced a number of early production issues when it was first launched in November 2017, including defective operating systemimages,split key caps, misaligned hinges, overuse of adhesives surrounding the tablet screen, and coil whine when under load.[12]Most issues were gradually resolved as production continued.
One issue that remains unfixed, however, is battery drain during high intensity workloads. When the 15-inch Surface Book 2 is set to "Best Performance" in theWindows 10operating system power settings, specific scenarios like extensive gaming or video transcoding could lead to high usage across both the CPU and GPU, and cause the device to draw over 105 W of power. This would unavoidably lead to battery drain until depletion.[13]This issue first appeared in review units shipped to reviewers and other outlets, all of which were accompanied with official 95-watt power supplies.[14][15]
References
edit- ^Brown, Aaron (October 17, 2017)."Microsoft Surface Book 2: UK price, release date, specs, and features".Express.co.uk.RetrievedOctober 17,2017.
- ^Panay, Panos; Seiler, Robin (May 6, 2020)."Introducing Surface Go 2, Surface Book 3, Surface Headphones 2 and Surface Earbuds".blogs.windows.Microsoft.RetrievedMay 6,2020.
- ^Crider, Michael (May 17, 2017)."Next-Gen Laptop Materials: Aluminum Alloy vs. Magnesium Alloy vs. Carbon Fiber".How-To Geek.RetrievedOctober 30,2019.
- ^"Microsoft unveils Surface Book 2, promising double the power and speed of Apple MacBook Pro".GeekWire.October 17, 2017.RetrievedOctober 17,2017.
- ^"Microsoft Surface USB-C port capabilities".February 23, 2019.
- ^"Configure your Surface Book 2".Microsoft.
- ^"Configure your Surface Book 2 for Business".Microsoft.
- ^"Surface Book 2 with 8th Gen Intel Core i5 processor now available to order".March 31, 2019.
- ^"Surface Book 2 review: Microsoft gets closer to the 'ultimate laptop'".Engadget.RetrievedDecember 3,2017.
- ^"Surface Book 2 review: Microsoft gets closer to the 'ultimate laptop'".Engadget.RetrievedDecember 3,2017.
- ^"Microsoft Surface Book 2 review: beauty and brawn, but with limits".The Verge.RetrievedDecember 3,2017.
- ^"r/Surface - What are some currently existing SB2 issues?".reddit.July 22, 2018.RetrievedOctober 29,2019.
- ^Warren, Tom (November 21, 2017)."Microsoft confirms Surface Book 2's power problem".The Verge.RetrievedOctober 29,2019.
- ^Microsoft confirms Surface Book 2’s power problem - The Verge
- ^Microsoft confirms Surface Book 2 battery drain problems while gaming | TechRadar