Microsoft Surface Book 2 Launches With 15-Inch Model, Powerful Specs

Microsoft has announced the new Surface Book 2 tablet and laptop hybrid. The Surface Book 2 is available is available in a new 15-inch screen size and is packing internals that are as powerful as a desktop computer.

Like the original Surface Book, the new Surface Book 2 still feature the same design. Users will still be able to detach the display portion of the device and use it as a tablet, or have it attached to the keyboard and have a traditional laptop experience. The Surface Book 2 still comes with the metal chassis like the original, which gives the device the premium look and build.

Although it may go unnoticed, Microsoft has redesigned the fulcrum hinge on the Surface Book 2. Engadget claims the new fulcrum hinge is sturdier than before and the screen doesn’t even budge when being shaken. The display also doesn’t wobble while typing on an uneven surface.

The connectors have also been improved, making it easier to attach and detach the tablet portion of the Surface Book 2 from the keyboard base. Although the improvements are welcome, the hinge still produces the same rounded bump when closed. Users who might prefer a slimmer device might not be too happy about that.

The 13-inch Surface Book 2 has a screen resolution of 3,000 x 2,000, while the 15-inch model has 3,240 x 2,160. Both feature the same 1600:1 contrast ratio with multitouch support along with support for the new Surface Pen stylus and the Surface Dial accessory, according to ArsTechnica.

Inside, the Microsoft Surface Book 2 is packing Intel’s new eight-generation quad-core processors, in either Core 15 or Core i7 version, according to WIRED. Users can have the Surface Book 2 be configured with up to 16GB of RAM and up to 1TB of solid-state storage. The 15-inch model can also be outfitted with NVIDIA’s GTX 1060 GPU, while the 13-inch can come with NVIDIA’s GTX 1050.

The standard Core i5 verison comes with 8GB of RAM with 256GB of storage. If users want the 15-inch model, that comes standard with 16GB of RAM regardless of which storage option users pick. Another difference between the two models is that the 15-inch Surface Book 2 comes with a fan, which enables it to perform even faster. Microsoft says that the 13-inch model is three times more powerful that the previous Surface Book, while the 15-inch model is five times as fast. It’s clear that Microsoft wants to offer the best laptop there is, and it looks like the Surface Book 2 should make a lot of power users happy.

Microsoft says that the 15-inch model will be able to offer up to 17 hours of battery life when attached to the keyboard and up to 5 hours when on tablet mode. The only real disadvantage that the 15-inch Surface Book 2 has is its size and weight. It weighs 4.2 pounds, which is slightly heavier than the 4.02-pound MacBook Pro. The 13-inch model isn’t too heavy at 3.38 pounds, but it also weighs 3.68 pounds when it’s packing the GTX 1050. For comparison, the 13-inch MacBook Pro is only three pounds. Portability will be one of the factors that users will have to consider when getting the Surface Book 2.

As for ports, the Surface Book 2 comes with two USB 3.1 ports, one SDXC card reader, a 3.5mm headphones jack and Microsoft proprietary Surface Connect charging port. Theres also a single USB Type-C port that supports USB 3.1 speeds, while dongles makes it possible to use it for HDMI and DisplayPort.

The new Surface Book 2 starts at $1,499 for the 13-inch model and $2,499 for the 15-inch. Microsoft says that preorders will open on Nov. 9 and shipping should start on Nov. 16.