microsoft surface book 2 review (15-inch): a worthy challenger to the macbook pro - touch screen pen

It took me a week to get to know 15 inch Microsoft Surface Book 2 (
Thanks to the UKpress team at toRedmond
To be fair, the quality experience promised by Microsoft's Panos Panay has been delivered.
If you're willing to pay for it, it's a challenging opponent of the biggest MacBook Pro dominance.
Although the first 15-
The Inch Surface Book was welcomed by critics and I was 13-on the form factor, the design and how the Surface team will adjust-
Suitable for larger size inch models.
Does it still feel like a superficial book, does it have a unique character, does it have the subtle touch of ergonomics and the thirteenth century
Carry forward the inch?
The short answer is yes, yes, and most of it is yes.
Let's start with my biggest problem. . . How about the keyboard?
Happily, it is the same as the smaller Surface Book.
I mean, it's really the same.
The size, pitch and key gap of the keys are the same.
Actually, the extra inches are placed on either side of the keyboard and the typing experience on the original Surface Book I like is still there.
Oddly enough, the trackpad also maintains the same physical size.
The obvious and practical answer is that the supply line here has a certain economies of scale.
It is a simple argument to keep the same keyboard size, but do not increase the size of the trackpad, which makes 13-
It's almost but not crowded on Highway 15.
It feels a little funny.
The size of the device is obvious in the design.
There are more cones at the bottom, so the front edge remains the same size, but there are more "blocks" when it reaches the hinge ".
Taking into account the additional CPU and GPU capabilities, this extra space is undoubtedly kept with cooling, but it does have a very minor impact on the typing experience.
The extra perimeter of 15-
There are indeed inches protruding in the hinges.
The Surface Book, known for its dynamic pivot hinge, still exists and is correct, but with the extra physical requirements for it, it's a bit bulky and awkward.
When the balance point is turned on, the touch screen is allowed to be used with the finger, but the closing gap still exists.
After traveling with the old Surface Book, it only "pops up" to two components and I never felt the tablet/base would be separated.
So is Book 2.
You really noticed that 15 inch of this Book 2 is in "easel mode ".
This is where the screen is separated from the base, flipped over and the unit is closed again.
Compared to 13-
Inch model, the extra real estate on the screen means there are more canvas to use, your hands cover less on the screen, it goes from "tight but usable" to "comfortable little
It also allows the perimeter of the Surface Dial to be something practical.
This is probably understanding 15-
The 2-inch version of the face book is targeted.
Have a clear trade
When carrying a larger, shielded laptop,
It's easel mode for me.
Those who need to be more "creative" on the move (
The idea is to use a Surface Pen, touch screen or large graphics)
And looking for a high
End portable will enjoy 15-
Inch machine is provided.
Microsoft retains the 3: 2 scale screen of the Surface Book design, and also maintains the same pixel density --
15-260 dpi
Inch machine, 13-267 dpiinch model.
This means resolution up to 3240x2160.
You really have more pixels to use.
This also means a change from the manufacturer, and the Panasonic Display of the small model is replaced by a slightly brighter LG screen.
There are already a lot of technologies on the PixelSense screen.
From the first generation, the distance between the glass, the touch sensitive layer and the pixels is reduced.
Microsoft calibrate each screen individually.
In addition to this default setting, there are two additional color profiles for the "srgb" and "improved" display of colors.
Let's not forget that the Surface Book 2 technique of separating and working as a tablet is also present and correct. Yes, a 15-
The inch tablet is a bit clunky, but you need to think about the use case again.
If you need the size then it is available otherwise tablet mode is not something I find useful during my office work and audio editing. Unlike the 13-
Inch model, Surface Book 2 has a small fan inside the base section to help cool.
Apply some significant load on this machine and the fan will allow the performance to remain above the 13-of passive cooling-inch model.
Nvidia's GeForce GTX1060 graphics card is hidden inside the base with 6 GB of memorythe top end 13-
The GTX1050 with only 2 gb of memory is a feature of inch Surface Book 2.
While the larger Surface Book 2 is not a dedicated console, it does have the ability to make most modern games better, especially if you're happy to tweak the game performance a bit (
Microsoft also includes Xbox radio stations for local communication with the Xbox One controller)
But you will get the ultimate gaming power from a specific gaming laptop. Yet the 15-
Inch book 2 does have the potential to be an amazing everyonerounder.
Of course, if you separate the screen, then you leave the graphics power supply, leaving the Intel UHD 620. The extra volume in the base means that Microsoft has enough battery capacity in every corner.
The rated specification for the 17-hour battery life of local video playback is not the marketing boasting that you can reach this level.
Only a week to review the unit, I was not able to do extensive battery testing, but the Surface Book 2 never let me down when I spent a working day on battery power.
The endurance was also confirmed by others.
Most of the batteries are still at the bottom of the Surface Book 2.
If you separate the screen and move it to tablet mode, note that you are looking at the available work for an hour or two.
There is no doubt that Microsoft has incorporated the latest technology into the Surface Book 2-
It's part of brand appeal.
But it pushed the 15 th ship out. inch version.
When I reported from the edge of Edinburgh, I was looking forward to comparing my experience of the larger flagship with the smaller Surface Book 2 next month.
Now, the Surface Book 2 has a special fit with me.
As a desktop station, it is fantastic and extra screen size is welcome.
But I did a lot of travel and work;
The size is a little too bulky-
In particular, the pivot hinge does increase the volume compared to the other 15-
Inch laptop, but that does mean that the user has a sweet spot, and then a broad base for other compromises that can accept the benefits of size to others (
Especially the battery life and the absolute quality of the screen).
You did pay for the privilege.
A fully equipped 15-
Inch Surface Book 2 for 1 tb of storage space will cost you $3,299.
Storage can only be configured on the largest machine, so the 256 GB model is $2,499.
Unfortunately, as I was expecting, you will need to purchase an extra $99 Surface Pen.
As the first of 15-
Inch Surface Book machine, this Surface Book 2 can still be regarded as Microsoft's "first experience" in this field, so with 13-
There are 2 inch book machines.
It is a little far away from the "comprehensive" and pays more attention to portable creation and media works (
And can be used as a game machine for a fierce battle).
A little better focus creates a better experience.
It retains the air of the "premiere" The surface band strives for and can easily go to the toes
Work with companies like HP, Dell and Apple.
The cost is high. when competing with competitors, throwing the whole set on the Surface Pen and Surface Dial will put the whole set on the wrong side of cost performance, but Microsoft is not here to provide value, but to provide the experience.
Experience winning in this round.