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 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.
