Rosie Grace: Microsoft Surface Book 2 Hands On: Improving Familiarity with Large Scale Fire Upgrades

At first glance, Microsoft's Surface Book 2 may look exactly the same as its predecessor in 2015. In a sense, this is indeed the case, because the Redmond giant has brought a lot of features from the original Surface Book and will be released in Malaysia on March 15.

This is not limited to its detachable 2-in-1 form factor, but also includes its idea of being a powerful, performance-oriented company. In fact, Microsoft seems to have improved the performance standards of the Surface Book family with the new Surface Book 2.

Just like the original model, the Surface Book 2 can be obtained using a built-in, independent NVIDIA GPU. Although this depends on the customer's choice of display size, the second-generation models are not custom chips, but offer two game-grade NVIDIA GeForce GTX GPU options in the form of GTX 1050 and GTX 1060.

Speaking of the display, this is also new for the Surface Book family because the Surface Book 2 can be obtained using a 13.5 or 15-inch touch display. Although these PixelSense displays have the same aspect ratio of 3:2, the resolution is slightly different at 3000 x 2000 and 3240 x 2160, respectively. In any case, they provide fairly clear and satisfactory output.

Don't forget that Microsoft also equipped the Surface Book 2 with an eighth-generation Intel Core processor instead of a Surface Laptop equipped with a seventh-generation Intel Core processor. This means that the basic model of the 13.5-inch Surface Book 2 still has a seventh-generation chip and integrated graphics, which looks like a strange decision, especially the price tag.

Unless you really need it, there are some subtle changes in this device, which is hard to see. For example, Microsoft no longer provides the Surface Book 2 for the Mini DisplayPort, but replaces it with the USB Type-C port, just like the 8th generation Intel Core processors make the device feel the latest. Core i7 also comes standard with a built-in Xbox wireless controller receiver, because the Surface Book 2 has game-level hardware after all.

Based on my short experience of using Surface Book 2 on the CES 2018 earlier this year, the new game-level hardware upgrade does make the device more attractive than its predecessor. The game I simply played - War Machine 4 - may be an aging game, but the Surface Book 2 demo unit I've tried is the 15-inch model of the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060, which has no problems handling games. Full HD resolution, high graphics settings.

Since I am not an artist, it is difficult for me to judge whether the Surface Pen performance on the Surface Book 2 is further improved, although I certainly did not feel any significant delay. The accuracy and rejection of the palm were very special. The PixelSense monitor on the Surface Book 2 has the potential to be an excellent canvas due to its aspect ratio and capabilities, so Microsoft will not include the surface pen with the Surface Book 2.

Even if the Surface Book 2 keyboard is very comfortable to use, walking distance and feedback are also very good, but I think it is slightly softer than the keyboard on the Surface Laptop, the touch is not so good, and the Surface Pro is also quite outstanding, the best family face to look at me Come. Just like the original Surface Book, the second generation model also has a fairly large and accurate touchpad.

Given its premium nature and unique design, it's no surprise that the Surface Book 2 is also quite expensive. In Malaysia, the integrated base model costs RM 6,899, and models with dedicated NVIDIA GeForce GTX graphics cards start at RM 8,899, up to RM 14,199.

Rosie Grace

Tuesday 13 March 2018

Microsoft Surface Book 2 Hands On: Improving Familiarity with Large Scale Fire Upgrades

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