Redmond boasts that the all-in-one device is twice as powerful as the new MacBook Pro and the promise is for “the power of a desktop, the versatility of a tablet” in a lightweight design.
Intel Core i7
In terms of the processor there are two options: an 8th gen Intel Core i7-8650U (4.20GHz, quad-core) and a 7th gen Intel Core i5-7300U (3.50GHz). There’s 8GB or 16GB of memory
In terms of the display, it’s available in 13.5 or 15-inch versions. The latter PixelSense Display has a resolution of 3240 x 2160, (260 PPI), which is an aspect ratio of 3:2.
For graphics, for the 15-inch version, there is an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 discrete GPU (with 6GB GDDR5 graphics memory).
For wireless comms, there’s 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.1 LE and – for the 15-inch version only – Xbox Wireless). It also features USB-A, USB-C and full-size SD card reader ports.
Running Windows 10, with a 30-day trial of Office 365, it has a claimed 17 battery life of up to 17 hours.
The Surface Book 2 also features a redesigned dynamic fulcrum hinge, pictured below.
Desktop or laptop
“Surface Book 2 removes the barrier between the desktop and the laptop by giving mobile professionals the power of a desktop, the versatility of a tablet, and the freedom of a light and thin laptop in one beautifully designed device,” said Panos Panay, corporate vp of Microsoft Devices. “[It] is a portable powerhouse. We made no compromises building the most powerful Surface laptop ever.”
“When you detach the keyboard to sketch an idea or watch a video, the Surface Book 2 turns into the world’s thinnest and lightest 8th Gen Intel Core i7 PC, giving customers a powerful portable studio for those who want a single, device that can follow you from concept to sketch to creation.”
Pricing starts from £1,499 (the 15-inch version starts from £2,349). To put that in context, the original Surface Laptop (12.3-inch) starts from £979.
Pre-orders for the device are now available in the UK, Europe and Australia.
Technical specification
| Software |
Windows 10 Pro Creators Update 64-bit |
|---|---|
| Dimensions |
13.5” (i5) 12.3 x 9.14 x 0.51–0.90 in. (312.00 x 232.00 x 13.00–23.00 mm) 13.5” (i7) 12.3 x 9.14 x 0.59–0.90 in. (312.0 x 232.00 x 15.00–23.00 mm) 15” (i7) 13.50 x 9.87 x 0.59–0.90 in. (343.00 x 251.00 x 15.00–23.00 mm)
|
| Weight |
13.5”: Starting at 3.38 lbs (1,534 g) including keyboard 15”: Starting at 4.2 lbs (1,905 g) including keyboard
|
| Storage4 |
Solid state drive (SSD) options: 256 GB, 512 GB, or 1 TB PCIe SSD
|
| Display |
Screen: 13.5” PixelSense Display Resolution: 3,000 x 2,000 (267 PPI) Aspect ratio: 3:2 Contrast ratio: 1600:1 Touch: 10-point multi-touch G5 Screen: 15” PixelSense Display
|
| Battery life | Up to 17 hours of video playback1 |
| Keyboard layout |
QWERTY (UK) AZERTY QWERTZ
|
| Processor |
7th gen Intel Core i5-7300U with up to 3.50 GHz Max Turbo 8th gen Intel Core i7-8650U (quad-core) with up to 4.20 GHz Max Turbo
|
| Graphics |
13.5”: Intel HD Graphics 620 integrated GPU (on Intel i5-7300U model) or NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 discrete GPU w/2GB GDDR5 graphics memory (on Intel i7-8650U models)
15”: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 discrete GPU w/6GB GDDR5 graphics memory
|
| Security |
HW TPM 2.0 chip for enterprise security Enterprise-grade protection with Windows Hello face sign-in |
| Memory |
8 GB RAM 1,866 Mhz LPDDR3 16 GB RAM 1,866 Mhz LPDDR3 |
| Wireless |
Wi-Fi: 802.11ac Bluetooth: BT4.1 LE Xbox Wireless built-in (15” only) |
| Ports |
2 USB 3.0 Type A USB Type-C UHS-II SDXC card reader 3.5mm headphone jack 2 Surface Connect |
| Cameras, video, and audio |
Windows Hello face authentication camera (front-facing) 5.0MP front-facing camera with 1080p HD video 8.0MP rear-facing autofocus camera with 1080p Full HD video Dual microphones |
| Exterior |
Casing: Magnesium Color: Silver Physical buttons: Volume, Power |
| Sensors |
Ambient light sensor Proximity sensor Accelerometer Gyroscope Magnetometer |