Microsoft Surface Book 2 (13.5-inch)

Microsoft’s range of Surface devices have shown in the past that the software giant has mastered creating premium and desirable devices that can give Apple, Lenovo and other big name brands a run for their money. And now it looks like it’s done it once again with the Surface Book 2 13.5-inch, an incredibly powerful and versatile 2-in-1 laptop.

Along with the larger Surface Book 2 15-inch, which we’ve reviewed separately, these devices represent the pinnacle of 2-in-1 laptop design, offering power – and battery life – that we’ve not seen before in a convertible form factor.

Microsoft has branded the Surface Book 2 the most powerful Surface Book ever, which may not really be saying much seeing as there’s only been two previous Surface Books, but make no mistake, this is a powerful device with top-notch components.

Don't think the 13.5-inch Surface Book 2 is just a smaller, less powerful version of the 15-inch model either. This convertible laptop combines a sensible feature set and fanless design with its smaller size, which may be more to your liking.

Price and availability

Unlike the Surface Book 2 15-inch, the 13.5-inch Surface Book 2 is only available to buy right now in the UK and Australia, rather than just the US. If you’re outside of the US, you’ll have to wait until next year to get the Surface Book 2 15-inch model, so for many people the 13.5-inch model will be your only choice right now.

The good news is that Microsoft is offering the Surface Book 2 13.5-inch in a variety of configurations, though like the 15-inch model, they all come with a high price tag. Still, the 13.5-inch models are cheaper than the larger 15-inch models.

So, in the US the base specifications of the Surface Book 2 13.5-inch model gets you a 7th Generation Intel Core i5 CPU, 8GB RAM, 256GB and integrated GPU for $1,499. Meanwhile, the lowest spec model available in the UK costs £1,499 (around AU$2,600).

All territories then get the same specifications, with an 8th Gen Intel Core i7 CPU, 8GB, 256GB, and GTX 1050 GPU with 2GB GDDR5 memory for $1,999 or £1,999 (around AU$3,400). Meanwhile, the 8th Gen Intel Core i7, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD and GTX 1050 GPU config goes for $2,499 or £2,499 (around AU$4,300).  

Finally, the top configuration, which is the one we received for review, comes with an 8th Gen Intel Core i7 CPU, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD and GTX 1050 for $2,999 or £2,999 (around AU$5,200).

So, this a definitely an expensive proposition, even with the basic specs, which will make most people take pause, but it’s not quite as eye watering as the price of the top spec of the 15-inch model, which comes in at $3,299 (around £2,503, AU$4,341).

Meanwhile, Apple’s 15-inch MacBook Pro with Touch Bar starts at $2,399 (£2,349, AU$3,499) and comes with a 7th-generation Intel Core i7 processor an AMD Radeon Pro 555 graphics with 2GB of VRAM, 16GB of memory and a 256GB SSD – all powering a 2,880 x 1,800-pixel 15.4-inch display at 220 pixels per inch as well as an OLED Touch Bar.

Another alternative is the Dell XPS 13 which currently resides at the top of our best laptops list. It’s a wonderful machine, and while it doesn’t pack the same high performance components as the Surface Book 2 in either size, it also costs a heck of a lot less, starting at $799 (£999, AU$1,899), for a dual-core Intel Core i3 CPU, 8GB of RAM and 128GB of SSD storage paired with a full HD, 1,920 x 1,080 InfinityEdge screen. Meanwhile, the top end model comes with a Core i7 CPU, 3,200 x 1,800 InfinityEdge touch display and 8GB of RAM for around half the asking price of the top end Surface Book 2 13.5-inch model.

Pricing the Surface Book 2 13.5-inch so high reflects Microsoft’s ambitions to sell it as a luxury device, but its competitors are offering alternatives that are just as desirable, and can cost a lot less, Microsoft has to prove that the Surface Book 2 13.5-inch is worth the hefty price tag.

Design

We noted in our review of the 15-inch version of the Surface Book 2 that the design had barely changed from the original Surface Book, except the device was larger to accommodate the 15-inch screen. 

With the 13.5-inch Surface Book 2 having the same size screen as the original, it means the difference in the designs is even less obvious. At 312mm x 232mm x 13mm (12.3-inch x 9.14-inch x 0.51-inch), it’s thinner than its predecessor, which measured 14.13 x 9.73 x 0.71 inches or 359 x 247 x 18mm, and it weighs 164.2kg (3.62 pounds), compared to the original’s 2.04kg (4.49 pounds).

So, Microsoft has made a more powerful version that’s thinner and lighter, which is always good. Another big difference between the design of the 13.5-inch Surface Book 2 and the 15-inch version, is that the 13.5-inch has a fanless design. 

This is a rather nice result of the 13.5-inch model having less powerful (and therefore less power-hungry) components. The more power a component needs, the hotter it gets. By not having any fans, the 13.5-inch Surface Book 2 can be smaller and lighter, whilst also running practically silently.

As with the other models, the screen of the Surface Book 2 detaches with a satisfying click, and Microsoft told us that the process of changing from laptop mode to tablet mode has been improved, making for a quick and easy process.

In the hand the Surface Book 2 in tablet mode feels fantastic, and is one of the lightest and thinnest Windows 10 tablets we’ve tried. When in this mode, the Surface Book 2 loses the additional graphics power and battery life. The process of detaching the screen is very easy, you just tap the detach button on the keyboard, then simply remove the screen. 

Windows 10 responds by turning into 'Tablet' mode, which brings back the Start Screen from Windows 8, with large icons that are easy to tap on. While the Start Screen isn’t much loved on Windows 8, here it works well, making Windows 10 easy to use in the tablet form factor – and it remains quick and responsive. 

Another nice touch is that if you’re using a demanding program or app that requires dedicated graphics, you’ll be warned to save your work before detaching the screen.

The iconic – and divisive – fulcrum hinge also returns with the Surface Book 2 13.5-inch. While it prevents the device from being as thin as possible when it’s closed (think of the hinge like the spine of a book), it allows you to angle the screen easily without the device tipping over.

As for the trackpad and keyboard, both feel comfortable to use, with the back-lit keyboard in particular feeling great to type on thanks to substantial key travel. The trackpad also felt smooth and responsive when used.

When turned into a tablet, the Surface Book 2’s 13.5-inch display is clearly the focus, and Microsoft knows this, providing a stunning PixelSense display with a resolution of 3,000 x 2,000, which equates to a 267ppi (pixels per inch) density. The 15-inch model has a higher resolution of 3,240 x 2,160, but this is over a larger area, so it actually has a slightly lower pixel density of 260ppi.

Either way, the screen looks fantastic thanks to a 1600:1 contrast ratio that makes colors appears vibrant, while also showing off deep blacks. The 3:2 aspect ratio gives you plenty of vertical space when using Windows 10 and its various apps, and it feels natural when used as a tablet. 

However, it also means that videos in the common 16:9 aspect ratio have bars above and below the action.

Along the sides are two full sized USB 3.1 ports, a USB-C port (which we’re pleased to see), and a full size SD card reader, which is another welcome addition. The headphone jack port is on the top right corner of the screen, which is an odd place to put it when in laptop mode, as it means the headphone wire may get in your way when working, but it makes a bit more sense when the Surface Book 2 is used as a tablet.

Charging is done via a proprietary ‘Surface Connect’ port, and the charger magnetically attaches itself when inserted, which is quite satisfying in a MagSafe-less world. Overall, the Surface Book 2 13.5-inch is undoubtedly a premium product – nothing about it feels cheap.

Surface accessories

As you’d expect from a Surface device, the Surface Book 2 works very well with Microsoft’s Surface Pen and Surface Dial. We had a quick go on both, and will spend a longer time with each one in the next few days, so check back for an expanded review.

However, even with our limited time with the Surface Pen and Surface Dial, we could see that them as natural companions for the Surface Book 2, with the Surface Pen in particular being an excellent companion, responding smoothly and quickly to our scribbles and notes. 

It’s such a nice experience that we can’t help but feel that Microsoft has missed a trick by not including a Surface Pen with the Surface Book 2. Instead, you’ll have to pay $99 (£99, AU$139) for the stylus. Considering the high price of the Surface Book 2, it can feel a little cheeky that you’re asked to shell out some extra cash for the full experience.

The Surface Dial, a puck-like disc that can change context-sensitive settings by turning it like a… well... a dial, be it volume, brush size and more, feels less essential, but again works brilliantly with the Surface Book 2. 

Watching a video, we placed the Dial on the Surface Book 2’s screen and used it to change the volume. It all works very well, and the context-sensitive controls popped up on the screen around the Dial. Of course, using it on the screen does obscure a bit of the display, but the digital-analog wheel works when it's just sitting on your desk.

In our Surface Book 2 15-inch review, we state that it’s the strongest 2-in-1 laptop we’ve ever tested, ready to go toe-to-toe with not only every hybrid laptop on the market but a wide range of gaming laptops, too. 

When we spoke to Microsoft about the Surface Book 2, we were told its aim with the convertible was to bring desktop-like performance to a mobile device, and while it won’t quite compete with more powerful desktops, the Surface Book 2 13.5-inch does perform brilliantly.

It’s not quite as powerful as its 15-inch sibling, and while the 15-incher can handle a spot of gaming thanks to the GTX 1060 GPU, with the 13.5-inch Surface Book 2, the GTX 1050 doesn't cope quite so well, though as our benchmarks show, if you don't mind lowering some graphical settings, or sticking to older or less graphically-intensive indie games, you should still be able to play a few titles.

However, the Surface Book 2 13.5-inch, even the top specification, is definitely more of a productivity-focused device. That shouldn’t come as much of a surprise to anyone, but if you wanted a bit more flexibility to play a few games on your new purchase, the 15-inch Surface Book 2 is the one you should go for – it even has wireless connectivity for an Xbox One controller built in as well.

As you can see from the other benchmarks, the Surface Book 2 13.5-inch does a fine job for most modern tasks, and while the 2GB of graphics memory keeps it from playing many modern games, it’s enough to edit photos and videos on, within reason.

Also, as a showcase for Windows 10, Microsoft’s operating system works wonderfully well on the Surface Book 2 13.5-inch, feeling fast and responsive.

With the Fall Creators Update already installed, you get the latest features without any third-party apps pre-installed. This is similar to getting a Google Pixel 2 smartphone: a piece of hardware from a software maker that’s been tailor made to make use of its latest and greatest software.

When turned into a tablet, there is a hit on the performance, as it can’t utilise the dedicated graphics chip, but we didn’t sense anything too noticeable, and the joy of holding the Surface Book 2 as a tablet cannot be understated.

Windows 10 works well as a tablet OS, with a mix of tablet-like apps and full-fat Windows programs giving you the versatility Android and iOS tablets lack. Of course, the app store, recently rebranded as the Microsoft Store (formerly known as the Windows Store), still lacks many popular apps that Android and iOS boast, so we’d suggest that you’re better off using the Surface Book 2 13.5-inch as a laptop that can occasionally turn into a tablet, rather than the other way around.

Battery life

Microsoft has worked hard to make the battery life a standout feature of the Surface Book 2, and it has succeeded, with a stated battery life of up to 17 hours of video playback. We’re running tests to confirm this, but so far we have certainly seen excellent battery life, with us using it throughout the day without needing to top it up.

The PC Mark 8 Home battery benchmark, a demanding trial that emulates a standard workload, saw the battery last 5 hours and 59 minutes, a very good showing, though not quite as remarkably long as the 15-inch’s 7 hours 39 minutes.

We’ll update this review when the video benchmark has completed, but for now we can safely say that the 13.5-inch Surface Book 2 is shaping up to be a reliable performer when it comes to all day computing.

When in tablet mode the battery life is reduced (as there are two batteries, one in the body and a smaller one behind the screen, but it still lasted a good four hours with casual use, and you can charge the Surface Book 2 in tablet mode without having to attach it to the rest of the body.

We liked

The Surface Book 2 13.5-inch is an excellent all-round performer with plenty of oomph that makes using Windows 10 on it a joy. The battery life is brilliant, and the display is fantastic. 

In tablet mode, it’s also a beautiful device to hold and use. With a fanless design, it’s also silent in use.

We disliked

We’d have liked to have seen a bit more innovation when it comes to the design of the Surface Book 2 to set it apart from its predecessor. 

Also unlike the 15-inch version, the 13.5-inch isn’t really capable of playing games. Oh, and it’s incredibly expensive, especially as it doesn’t include the Surface Pen stylus either.

Final verdict

As with the 15-inch version, the 13.5-inch Surface Book 2 is a brilliant device, and the most powerful 2-in-1 laptop we’ve tried. If you’re after an excellent showcase for Windows 10, including the new features of the Fall Creators Update, such as Windows Mixed Reality, then you’ll likely love the Surface Book 2.

It feels like Microsoft set out to make a premium and desirable convertible laptop with no expense spared, so you get excellent performance and incredible battery life. 

However, this no expense spared ethos does mean that those expenses are passed over to you, so this is not a cheap device. That price tag is going to put a lot of people off, which is a shame as you’d be missing out on the best 2-in-1 laptop so far. 

If you can afford it, and you’re fully invested in Microsoft’s ecosystem, then the Surface Book 2 13.5-inch is definitely worth consideration, especially if the 15-inch version is a bit too large to comfortably carry around.