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Surface Book 2 announced with 8th Gen Intel CPU, NVIDIA 1060 and USB Type-C

Microsoft today announced Surface Book 2 which now come in two sizes with a 13.5-inch and new 15-inch version. The new laptop features 8th Gen Intel quad-core processors and either a NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 (13.5 inch) or GTX 1060 (15 inch).

The Surface Book 2 can give you up to 17 hours of battery life. Both Surface Book 2’s come with USB Type-C 3.1 instead of a mini DisplayPort. However, only the 15-inch Surface Book 2 features built-in Xbox Wireless support letting users connect an Xbox game controller using the native protocol. The 13-inch Surface Book 2 can utilize the newer Xbox One S controller via Bluetooth instead.

Microsoft says it is completely rebuilt. Besides the refreshed hardware there are many smaller changes:

  • Reworked fulcrum hinge — While Microsoft is keeping the gapped hinge, it has been rebuilt to be sturdier, and now both models can easily be opened with one hand.
  • Keyboard — The Surface Book 2 keyboard and trackpad both borrow from the Surface Laptop’s design, with 1.55mm of key travel and the same overall response curve. There are also now dedicated keys for display brightness.
  • Display — Microsoft has improved the display with thinner materials and a higher contrast ratio, plus it fully supports that latest Surface Pen and Surface Dial on the display.
  • Improved audio — Surface Book 2 has reworked the speakers, which are now slightly more powerful but also take up less space
  • Front camera for Skype — Microsoft worked closely with the Skype team to make the front-facing camera work well with Skype.
  • Windows Mixed Reality ready — Both Surface Book 2’s support Windows Mixed Reality. A USB Type-C to HDMI adapter will let current head-mounted displays (HMDs) connect easily.

Surface Book 2

Surface Book 2 full specifications

Model Surface Book 2 13-inch Surface Book 2 15-inch
Processor Core i5-7300U (3.2GHz)
Core i7-8650U (4.2GHz)
Core i7-8650U (4.2GHz)
Display size 13.5″ PixelSense Display
1600:1 contrast ratio
15″ PixelSense Display
1600:1 contrast ratio
Display resolution 3000 x 2000
3:2 aspect
267 PPI
3240 x 2160
3:2 aspect
260 PPI
RAM 8GB or 16GB 16GB
Native graphics Intel HD Graphics 620
Intel UHD Graphics 620
Intel UHD Graphics 620
Discrete graphics Core i5: None
Core i7: NVIDIA GTX 1050 (2GB)
NVIDIA GTX 1060 (6GB)
Storage 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB
Battery Up to 17 hours
Up to 5 hours in Tablet Mode
Up to 17 hours
Up to 5 hours in Tablet Mode
Power supply 39W (i5)
95W (i7) w/ Type-A charging port (5W)
95W w/ Type-A charging port (7.5W)
Wireless Marvel
Wi-Fi: IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
Bluetooth 4.1
Marvel
Wi-Fi: IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
Bluetooth 4.1
Xbox Wireless No Yes, built-in
Ports Two USB Type-A 3.1 (Gen1)
One USB Type-C w/ video, power in/out and USB 3.1 (Gen1) data
Full-size SDXC card reader (UHS-II)
Headphone jack (3.5mm)
Two Surface Connect ports (1 in tablet, 1 in keyboard base)
Two USB Type-A 3.1 (Gen1)
One USB Type-C w/ video, power in/out and USB 3.1 (Gen1) data
Full-size SDXC card reader (UHS-II)
Headphone jack (3.5mm)
Two Surface Connect ports (1 in tablet, 1 in keyboard base)
Audio Stereo Speakers w/ Dolby Audio Premium
Windows Sonic for Headphones
Dolby Atmos for Headphones compatible
Stereo Speakers w/ Dolby Audio Premium
Windows Sonic for Headphones
Dolby Atmos for Headphones compatible
Security TPM 2.0 hardware chip
Common Criteria (CC) EAL4+, FIPS 140-2 level 2
Windows Hello face sign-in
TPM 2.0 hardware chip
Common Criteria (CC) EAL4+, FIPS 140-2 level 2
Windows Hello face sign-in
Dimensions 312 mm x 232 mm x 15-23 mm (L x W x D)
12.3 in x 9.14 in x 0.59 to 0.90 in
343 mm x 251 mm x 15-23 mm (L x W x D)
13.5 in x 9.87 in x 0.57 to 0.90 in
Weight i5 total: 1,533 g (3.38 lbs)
i7 total: 1,642 g (3.62 lbs)
Tablet: 719 g (1.59 lbs)
Total: 1,905 g (4.20 lbs)
Tablet: 817 g (1.80 lbs)
Sensors Ambient light sensor
Accelerometer
Gyroscope
Magnetometer
Ambient light sensor
Accelerometer
Gyroscope
Magnetometer
Cameras 5.0MP 1080p video at 30 FPS (front)
8.0MP 1080p video at 30 FPS with auto-focus (rear)
5.0MP 1080p video at 30 FPS (front)
8.0MP 1080p video at 30 FPS with auto-focus (rear)
Windows Hello IR Camera IR Camera
Price Starts at $1,499 Starts at $2,499
Availability November 16, 2017
Preorders: November 9, 2017
November 16, 2017 (U.S.)
Preorders: November 9, 2017

The new Surface Book 2 laptops start at $1,499 for the 13-inch model and $2,499 for the 15-inch version. Both are expected to launch on November 16 in the U.S.

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