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. 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.

Price and availability

Although the Surface Book 2 has been available in the US and UK for a few months, it was released in the UAE in April. Also, only the 13.5-inch model has been released locally and if you're looking for the 15-inch model, you'll have to wait a couple of weeks longer. 

Microsoft is offering the Surface Book 2 13.5-inch in a variety of configurations, though they all come with a high price tag. 

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 AED 6,199. That's the only model with a Core i5 processor with the rest powered by an Intel Core i7.

The model with an 8th Gen Intel Core i7 CPU, 8GB, 256GB, and GTX 1050 GPU with 2GB GDDR5 memory for AED 8,299. Meanwhile, the 8th Gen Intel Core i7, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD and GTX 1050 GPU config goes for AED 10,919 and upping the storage to 1TB on that model will set you back a whopping AED 12,999.

The Surface Book 2 is definitely an expensive proposition, even with the basic specs, which will make most people take pause. For comparison, Apple's 13-inch MacBook Pro starts at AED 5,459, though it's worth noting that you only get 128GB of storage with that. Upgrading that to 256GB puts the price of the MacBook Pro at AED 6,299 which is the same as what you'd pay for the base model of Surface Book 2.

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 around AED 4,699. 

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

The design of the Surface Book 2 has barely changed from the original Surface Book. It has an identical screen size as the original, but is a bit thinner and lighter than the outgoing model. That being said, at 1.64kg, the Surface Book 2 isn't the lightest laptop around.

The 13.5-inch Surface Book 2 is a fanless design which is a nice result of the less power-hungry components. By not having any fans, Microsoft could make the 13.5-inch Surface Book 2 smaller and lighter, whilst also running practically silently.

As with the previous model, 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. You will need both your hands to open the lid though.

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 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 with Microsoft’s Surface Pen and Surface Dial. The Surface Pen in particular feels like a natural companion for the Surface Book 2, responding smoothly and quickly to 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 AED 375 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 aim of Surface Book 2 is 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 which features a GTX 1060 GPU, but the 13.5-inch Surface Book 2 with the GTX 1050 can cope if you're willing to reduce some graphical settings, or sticking to older or less graphically-intensive indie games.

The Surface Book 2 13.5-inch 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. It is safe to 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. And it’s incredibly expensive, especially as it doesn’t include the Surface Pen stylus either.

Final verdict

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 a worthy consideration.