Microsoft Surface Book 2 full tech specs and FAQ

Microsoft Surface Book 2

The Microsoft Surface Book 2 is expected to launch on November 16, 2017.

There are two Surface Book 2 models, a 13-inch and a more powerful 15-inch version, both with discrete NVIDIA GeForce GPUs for extra graphics power.

Here are the full specifications for both models and how they compare.

Surface Book 2 full specifications

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ModelSurface Book 2 13-inchSurface Book 2 15-inch
ProcessorCore i5-7300U (3.2GHz)Core i7-8650U (4.2GHz)Core i7-8650U (4.2GHz)
Display size13.5" PixelSense Display1600:1 contrast ratio15" PixelSense Display1600:1 contrast ratio
Display resolution3000 x 20003:2 aspect267 PPI3240 x 21603:2 aspect260 PPI
RAM8GB or 16GB16GB
Native graphicsIntel HD Graphics 620Intel UHD Graphics 620Intel UHD Graphics 620
Discrete graphicsCore i5: NoneCore i7: NVIDIA GTX 1050 (2GB)NVIDIA GTX 1060 (6GB)
Storage256GB, 512GB, or 1TB256GB, 512GB, or 1TB
Battery70WHrUp to 17 hoursUp to 5 hours in Tablet Mode80WHrUp to 17 hoursUp to 5 hours in Tablet Mode
Power supply39W (i5)95W (i7) w/ Type-A charging port (5W)95W w/ Type-A charging port (7.5W)
WirelessMarvelWi-Fi: IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/acBluetooth 4.1MarvelWi-Fi: IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/acBluetooth 4.1
Xbox WirelessNoYes, built-in
PortsTwo USB Type-A 3.1 (Gen1)One USB Type-C w/ video, power in/out and USB 3.1 (Gen1) dataFull-size SDXC card reader (UHS-II)Headphone jack (3.5mm)Two Surface Connect ports (1 in tablet, 1 in keyboard base)Two USB Type-A 3.1 (Gen1)One USB Type-C w/ video, power in/out and USB 3.1 (Gen1) dataFull-size SDXC card reader (UHS-II)Headphone jack (3.5mm)Two Surface Connect ports (1 in tablet, 1 in keyboard base)
AudioStereo Speakers w/ Dolby Audio PremiumWindows Sonic for HeadphonesDolby Atmos for Headphones compatibleStereo Speakers w/ Dolby Audio PremiumWindows Sonic for HeadphonesDolby Atmos for Headphones compatible
SecurityTPM 2.0 hardware chipCommon Criteria (CC) EAL4+, FIPS 140-2 level 2Windows Hello face sign-inTPM 2.0 hardware chipCommon Criteria (CC) EAL4+, FIPS 140-2 level 2Windows Hello face sign-in
Dimensions312 mm x 232 mm x 15-23 mm (L x W x D)12.3 in x 9.14 in x 0.59 to 0.90 in343 mm x 251 mm x 15-23 mm (L x W x D)13.5 in x 9.87 in x 0.57 to 0.90 in
Weighti5 total: 1,533 g (3.38 lbs)i7 total: 1,642 g (3.62 lbs)Tablet: 719 g (1.59 lbs)Total: 1,905 g (4.20 lbs)Tablet: 817 g (1.80 lbs)
SensorsAmbient light sensorAccelerometerGyroscopeMagnetometerAmbient light sensorAccelerometerGyroscopeMagnetometer
Cameras5.0MP 1080p video at 30 FPS (front)8.0MP 1080p video at 30 FPS with auto-focus (rear)5.0MP 1080p video at 30 FPS (front)8.0MP 1080p video at 30 FPS with auto-focus (rear)
Windows HelloIR CameraIR Camera
PriceStarts at $1,499Starts at $2,499
AvailabilityNovember 16, 2017Preorders: November 9, 2017November 16, 2017 (U.S.)Preorders: November 9, 2017

Surface Book 2 processors

Both the 13-inch and 15-inch models feature the new eighth-generation Intel Quad-Core Core i7-8650U processors with a maximum turbo boost of 4.2GHz and 16GB of RAM.

On the 13-inch model with the Core i7 runs at 15W, while the 15-inch model runs at 20W.

The entry-level Surface Book 2 at 13 inches costs $1,499 and uses an older, seventh-generation Intel dual-core Core i5-7300U processor that maxes out at 3.2GHz. It has 8GB of RAM and 256GB of solid-state drive (SSD) storage. This model has no discrete GPU.

Surface Book 2 storage

All versions of the Surface Book 2 use PCIe NVMe SSDs for internal storage. It is not user upgradable. Storage sizes are available in 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB options.

Surface Book 2 graphics

For the Core i7 models, the 13-inch has a NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 graphics card with 2GB of GDDR5 video memory.

The more substantial 15-inch model, however, has a much more powerful NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 graphics card and 6GB of GDDR5 video memory.

Surface Book 2 fans

How Microsoft cools the Surface Book 2 depends on the model.

  • 13-inch Core i5: No fans.
  • 13-inch Core i7: No fan in display or tablet. Fan in keyboard base for NVIDIA GPU.
  • 15-inch Core i7: Fan in display and tablet. Fan in keyboard base for NVIDIA GPU.

The 15-inch Surface Book 2 has multiple fans because the Intel Core i7 processor runs at a full 20W all the time, whereas the 13-inch Core i7 runs at 15W and therefore is passively cooled.

Since the 13-inch Surface Book 2 with a Core i5 does not have a NVIDIA GPU, it needs neither a fan in the display or tablet area for the CPU nor one in the keyboard base for graphics.

Surface Book 2 ports

All Surface Book 2s have the same port configuration regardless of size or model.

Microsoft is still using its proprietary Surface Connect for power and the optional Surface Dock. There are also two USB Type-A 3.1 (Gen 1) ports for data and charging out. There is also a full SDXC card reader and USB Type-C instead of a mini DisplayPort.

Surface Book 2 USB Type-C

All Surface Book 2's have a USB Type-C 3.1 port instead of the mini DisplayPort found in the original Surface Book. It is not Thunderbolt 3 compliant, however, so there is no external GPU (eGPU) support.

What the Type-C Display Port can do for output depends on how it is used. When splitting it between power, data, and display, such as through the Surface Dock, users will get only two lanes of PCIe for the screen. That results in a maximum secondary display resolution of 2880 x 1800 at 60Hz allowing the most popular resolution today — QHD (2560 x 1440) — to be used.

Alternatively, if you are only using a secondary display through USB Type-C (using all four PCIe lanes), the Surface Book 2 supports up to a 4K output resolution at 60Hz.

External USB Type-C docks, including third-party options, are all supported through the USB Type-C port on the Surface Book 2.

Surface Book 2 and Xbox Wireless

Only the 15-inch Surface Book 2 features built-in Xbox Wireless support letting users connect an Xbox game controller using the native protocol.

The 13-inch Surface Book 2 can utilize the newer Xbox One S controller via Bluetooth instead, though it loses haptic feedback.

Surface Book 2 charging

All Surface Book 2s use the proprietary magnetic Surface Connect port and charger for power

The Core i5 13-inch uses a small 39W charger, while the Core i7 models (13-inch and 15-inch) both have larger 95W Surface chargers.

While both Core i7 Surface 95W chargers also have a secondary USB Type-A port for charging peripherals, the 15-inch charger supports 7.5W versus just 5W for the 13-inch model.

Users can also recharge the Surface Book 2 with a USB Type-C charger as long as it is powerful enough. Devices can be charged from the Surface Book 2, such as a phone using USB Type-C.

See at Microsoft

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Daniel Rubino
Editor-in-chief

Daniel Rubino is the Editor-in-chief of Windows Central. He is also the head reviewer, podcast co-host, and analyst. He has been covering Microsoft since 2007, when this site was called WMExperts (and later Windows Phone Central). His interests include Windows, laptops, next-gen computing, and watches. He has been reviewing laptops since 2015 and is particularly fond of 2-in-1 convertibles, ARM processors, new form factors, and thin-and-light PCs. Before all this tech stuff, he worked on a Ph.D. in linguistics, watched people sleep (for medical purposes!), and ran the projectors at movie theaters because it was fun.