Microsoft Surface Book 2: Microsoft updates the Surface Book for the better

Remember the Surface Book? We certainly do, and we loved Microsoft’s 2-in-1 laptop/tablet hybrid, even if it didn’t quite warrant a proper recommendation. Well, after almost two years, the Surface Book finally has a replacement. This is the aptly named Surface Book 2.

And, it’s an impressive Windows machine at that. In fact, it’s so eye-opening, that Microsoft says the Surface Book 2 will have five times the graphical processing grunt of its 2015 predecessor, and twice the processing power of the MacBook Pro. Fantastic.

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That’s good to know, but is Microsoft’s Surface Book really worth your time in 2017, and is it about time for an upgrade? Let’s find out.

Microsoft Surface Book 2 UK release date: When’s it coming out?

Microsoft’s new and improved Surface Book 2 will be available to preorder from November 9 in the UK. There’s no word yet on when either device will ship, but expect the Surface Book 2 to reach UK shores shortly after.

Microsoft Surface Book 2 UK price: How much will it cost?

The 13.5in Surface Book 2 starts at £1,499 and the 15in variant starts at £2,500. Like last time, there are a handful of different processor, RAM and storage configurations to pick and choose from for both models.

Microsoft Surface Book 2 specs: What’s inside?

The 13.5in Microsoft Surface Book 2 is fitted with an Intel Core i5 or i7 CPU, with either 8GB or 16GB of RAM and up to 1TB of SSD storage. It has a 13.5in 3,000 x 2,000 resolution touchscreen display and can be configured with Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 graphics.

Preorder the Surface Book 2 from Microsoft

Likewise, the 15in model is equipped with a quad-core 4.2GHz Intel Core i7 CPU, with a choice of either 8GB or 16GB of RAM and up to 1TB of SSD storage. It also has a 3,240 x 2,160 resolution touch display, and can squeeze in a Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 GPU.

Microsoft Surface Book 2 design: What does it look like?

The Surface Book 2 looks a lot like the original, with the same magnesium alloy chassis and trademark coiled hinge, which wraps around the rear of the device, allowing the laptop to be used as a bog-standard clamshell laptop. You can of course, detach the screen from the keyboard and use the SurfaceBook 2 as a tablet, if you’re so inclined.

Microsoft has also (finally!) added a USB-C port on the right edge, along with an SD card reader and two further USB3 ports. Sadly, the USB-C port doesn’t support the Thunderbolt 3 standard, which is fine for supplying power, but can’t be used to connect an external monitor.

This is especially a shame considering the USB-C port replaces the old Surface Book’s Mini DisplayPort. If you want to connect this new Surface Book to another monitor, you’re forced to use Microsoft’s £200 Surface Dock.

As for performance, Microsoft is boasting a 17-hour battery life with its new SurfaceBook 2, with five times the graphics processing power of its predecessor, and twice the processing grunt of Apple’s MacBook Pro. And the touchscreen, well, the Surface Book 2 supports both the Surface Pen and Surface Dial for you creative types.

Microsoft Surface Book 2: Early verdict

Microsoft appears to have ticked all the right boxes with the Surface Book 2. The superb design of the original remains unchanged, but a handful of internal improvements seek to improve on its predecessor’s shortcomings.

Preorder the Surface Book 2 from Microsoft

The scorching hot issue mind, is that the original’s biggest mistake has reappeared. You see, like its predecessor, the Surface Book 2 is horrendously expensive. Few of us have four figures to splurge on a laptop these days, and the lucky few that do will likely flock to Apple’s MacBook offerings instead.

At this stage, and I’m hoping Microsoft can prove me wrong, but the Surface Book 2 is far from a worthy recommendation.