Surface Laptop 2

[raqball]

Picked this up yesterday as I was looking for a 3:2 screen replacement for a Google Pixelbook I sold... Purchased from the local Microsoft Store in Portland and got it for $1169 out the door after my government discount. Even though I am retired, I can still use it at most places..

Went with the following specs and snagged it in the new black color..

-CPU: 1.7GHz Intel Core i5-8250U (quad-core, 6MB cache, up to 3.4GHz boost)
-Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 620
-RAM: 8GB LPDDR3
-Screen: 13.5-inch, 2,256 x 1,504 resolution PixelSense display (10-point multi-touch, 3:2 aspect ratio)
-Storage: 256GB SSD
-Ports: 1x USB 3.0, mini DisplayPort, Surface Connect port, headphone/mic jack

I had the Surface Laptop 1 and I'll compare this to it. My previous thoughts on it are here: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/surface-laptop-reviews.2051000/page-4#post-24757179

Most are not going to buy this as the port situation is minimal at best. No USB C and only one USB A port. I am a basic home user so it does not bother me but I can't understand why MS is not putting a USB C on these machines.

The screen is crisp and clear. No light bleed anywhere and brightness is better than the average PC. My guess is it's probably about 400 nits as my Yoga is 300 nits and this is much better...

The SSD is improved over last years Surface Laptop 1.. That SSD was laughable slow and this years version, while still not MacBook Pro SSD fast, is improved.

The keyboard and trackpad are fantastic! Good travel on the KB, no clicky, clicky sound and the trackpad is smooth and responsive.. Sound is on par with last years version and it sounds great.

The laptop got warm during updates but I never heard the fan. It's for the most part quiet and cool.

It came with Windows 10 Home this years as opposed the Windows 10S from last year. I updated it to Pro right out of the box...

The new black color is drop dead sexy!

Photos and screen shots:

 

[SteveJUAE]

Congrats I played with the 1st gen but the new black is much nicer and sure no harm if they chucked a USB-C in there

 

[SDColorado]

Congrats on the new machine. The flat black looks phenomenal on the Surface Laptop 2 and Surface Pro 6. If they had announced a Surface Book update in black I would have been all over a pre-order

 

[macjunk(ie)]

I absolutely loathe that alacantra cover. My classmate's purple cover has already seen some stain marks which he is not able to remove. But other than that, it is a nice little light machine

 

[raqball]

Congrats I played with the 1st gen but the new black is much nicer and sure no harm if they chucked a USB-C in there

The new black is sexy as heck!

Not sure why MS hates USB C... I played with a Surface Pro 6 at the MS Store and no USB C there either....
[doublepost=1540921429][/doublepost]

I absolutely loathe that alacantra cover. My classmate's purple cover has already seen some stain marks which he is not able to remove. But other than that, it is a nice little light machine

My 1st gen held up well... I had the Platinum color on it... I am not concerned about it and even less with the black....

I already had a few drops of coffee drip on it and wiped right off...

 

[SDColorado]

The new black is sexy as heck!

Not sure why MS hates USB C... I played with a Surface Pro 6 at the MS Store and no USB C there either....

I am not sure it is a matter if hating it. I know Panos Panay has said it will come in the future, but not for now because many people find it confusing still and the lack of standardization and misleading claims by some manufacturers isn’t helping. He isn’t wrong ....

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.di...g/usb-c-implementation-messy-and-unclear/amp/

But it could also be argued that neither Apple or Microsoft are entirely correct in their approach either....

https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.businessinsider.com/apple-microsoft-surface-usb-c-2018-10

Oh well, my headphones are really the only thing I have that needs to be charged by USB-C at this point and with 30 hours battery life, I can charge them at home just fine

 

[raqball]

I am not sure it is a matter if hating it. I know Panos Panay has said it will come in the future, but not for now because many people find it confusing still and the lack of standardization and misleading claims by some manufacturers isn’t helping. He isn’t wrong ....

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.di...g/usb-c-implementation-messy-and-unclear/amp/

But it could also be argued that neither Apple or Microsoft are entirely correct in their approach either....

https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.businessinsider.com/apple-microsoft-surface-usb-c-2018-10

Oh well, my headphones are really the only thing I have that needs to be charged by USB-C at this point and with 30 hours battery life, I can charge them at home just fine

I have nothing that's USB C to USB C at the moment other than my Pixel 3 and I can use an adapter for that if I ever wanted to connect it to the PC.

Not a deal breaker for me but I can see for some it will be.. What I really wish manufacturers would include more often is SD card readers... Those appear to be falling by the waste side as well with new machines. Again not a deal breakers as I have like 5 USB A storage sticks I can use and I have a USB A microSD adapter as well....

I will say the more I use this sucker, the more I dig it.. Screen, keyboard, trackpad and sound are fantastic! And I really like the 3:2 aspect ratio!

 

[SDColorado]

I have nothing that's USB C to USB C at the moment other than my Pixel 3 and I can use an adapter for that if I ever wanted to connect it to the PC.

Not a deal breaker for me but I can see for some it will be.. What I really wish manufacturers would include more often is SD card readers... Those appear to be falling by the waste side as well with new machines. Again not a deal breakers as I have like 5 USB A storage sticks I can use and I have a USB A microSD adapter as well....

I still like the SD card readers as well. I know some folks say, well you can just attach a cable to most cameras. But it isn’t always as easy as that, especially if you are gathering photos from multiple people. So much easier to just grab the cards from people. Also, sometimes just to make life miserable if you do try to use cables is you find some cameras use a proprietary one as Sony used to that’s just a little slimmer and a little wider than a true USB micro and if the owner didn’t bring that cable your out of luck.

My Surface Pro has that micro-SD slot behind the kickstand which is better than none, but I do prefer the SD slot

 

[kazmac]

Very nice, OP. Enjoy. I almost ordered a gen 1 for school last year (and am now wondering if I can trade in my Acer for credit at a Microsoft store). If I can, I may consider a Surface product again. The art apps being the only sticky element. If I could draw in the Affinity software, it would almost be a no brainer.

The Mac Mini was tempting until crap gpu options, so I am wondering if I should just consider a Surface Pro, or the SS2 if I can get an additional discount with a trade in. SS2 older tech inside, but so is the Mini.

At any rate, thanks for posting and enjoy your Surface laptop. Looks beautiful.

 

[tekdoc]

Nice laptop with one big shortcoming. I cross shopped it with the 2018 MBA but what ultimately stopped me from going with the Surface Laptop 2 was the non-replaceable battery. Laptop batteries seem to degrade noticeably after about 3 years and I want the option to swap out the battery when that happens. With a $1000+ price tag and an already questionable resale value given the single legacy USB port and fabric deck, you must have money to burn if you choose this one.

 

[chscag]

Nice laptop with one big shortcoming. I cross shopped it with the 2018 MBA but what ultimately stopped me from going with the Surface Laptop 2 was the non-replaceable battery. Laptop batteries seem to degrade noticeably after about 3 years and I want the option to swap out the battery when that happens. With a $1000+ price tag and an already questionable resale value given the single legacy USB port and fabric deck, you must have money to burn if you choose this one.

I too would choose the 2018 MBA over the Surface 2 but not for the same reason you gave. Battery replacement in newer Mac portable machines is not exactly something you can do yourself. Batteries are glued down and Apple will usually replace the entire top case when replacing a battery. So if your only reason for not getting the Surface 2 is a non replaceable battery, think again.

 

[tekdoc]

I too would choose the 2018 MBA over the Surface 2 but not for the same reason you gave. Battery replacement in newer Mac portable machines is not exactly something you can do yourself. Batteries are glued down and Apple will usually replace the entire top case when replacing a battery. So if your only reason for not getting the Surface 2 is a non replaceable battery, think again.

FWIW a top case replacement is apparently not needed for this model:

https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/MacBook+Air+13-Inch+Retina+2018+Teardown/115201

 

[raqball]

you must have money to burn if you choose this one.

Thats your opinion.. Mine is it's a fantastic laptop that demolishes the Air in other areas...

Where you ask?

Quad core CPU -v- Y (read: mobile processor)
GPU 620 -v- 617
256 SSD -v- 128 in Air (same price)
Screen on the SL2 is not dim and washed out like it is on the Air
Touch screen -v- non (may not be important to you)

I am not slamming the Air but you can't compare some things and take a pass on others. All these ultrabooks have trade offs. I view these machines as disposable.. If something fails (CPU, GPU, SSD, RAM, KB) you are almost better off buying new as opposed to paying to have it repaired...

If you are basing a purchase off of a what I view as a disposable item battery replacement, then cool. Not something I'd consider but we are different people..

 

[SteveJUAE]

Thats your opinion.. Mine is it's a fantastic laptop that demolishes the Air in other areas...

Where you ask?

Quad core CPU -v- Y (read: mobile processor)
GPU 620 -v- 617
256 SSD -v- 128 in Air (same price)
Screen on the SL2 is not dim and washed out like it is on the Air
Touch screen -v- non (may not be important to you)

I am not slamming the Air but you can't compare some things and take a pass on others. All these ultrabooks have trade offs. I view these machines as disposable.. If something fails (CPU, GPU, SSD, RAM, KB) you are almost better off buying new as opposed to paying to have it repaired...

If you are basing a purchase off of a what I view as a disposable item battery replacement, then cool. Not something I'd consider but we are different people..

Agreed

Besides I would be far more concerned that the MBA KB is going to last +3 years than worrying about the battery LOL

The SL battery I understand is replaceable but only by MS where the MBA is possible for DIY but not for the average user it's over 10 steps and requires tools etc but is easier than the MBP's but like the Sl they are higher spec

 

[raqball]

Besides I would be far more concerned that the MBA KB is going to last +3 years than worrying about the battery LOL

Egg-zach-wee.... Especially since the 3rd gen KB's are failing at the same rate as the 2nd gen's.... At least the 2nd gen's are covered by Apple's 4-year warranty.. 3rd gen? Get Apple Care or roll ye ole dice...

 

[SDColorado]

Egg-zach-wee.... Especially since the 3rd gen KB are failing at the same rate....

So you are going to get the top case replaced along with the keyboard anyway. So if they were glued in like the MBP, you would by extension get the battery replaced? With the Air being removable, maybe you get a new top case and keyboard and your depleted battery back?

 

[tekdoc]

Agreed

Besides I would be far more concerned that the MBA KB is going to last +3 years than worrying about the battery LOL

The SL battery I understand is replaceable but only by MS where the MBA is possible for DIY but not for the average user it's over 10 steps and requires tools etc but is easier than the MBP's but like the Sl they are higher spec

Microsoft does not replace batteries at all. They will replace the entire laptop if there is a problem with the battery under warranty. Out of warranty, you are out of luck.

 

[SteveJUAE]

Microsoft does not replace batteries at all. They will replace the entire laptop if there is a problem with the battery under warranty. Out of warranty, you are out of luck.

This is not true as a minimum there is an out of service flat fee of $450 for the surface laptop where basically you get a refurbished device in return. Some repairs can be cheaper.

 

[tekdoc]

This is not true as a minimum there is an out of service flat fee of $450 for the surface laptop where basically you get a refurbished device in return. Some repairs can be cheaper.

Sorry I was not clear. I am aware of the swap out for a refurb. I meant out of luck as in you are going to be paying much more than the cost of a new battery plus labor.

 

[SteveJUAE]

Sorry I was not clear. I am aware of the swap out for a refurb. I meant out of luck as in you are going to be paying much more than the cost of a new battery plus labor.

Yes, but

Firstly your getting something much more back than just a new battery after 3 years or more use

Secondly it's likely that with any other failure on a Mac those repairs will be the equivalent or much more for some.

Thirdly you have an official repair and no hassle

Sorry but I think your clutching at straws on battery replacement issues especially with recent trends on Keyboards

If you could walk in to an Apple store and get a refurb unit for $450 by trading in your old broken MBA after 1 or 2 years or more I'm sure there would be queues forming now

You want to give up this option on the chance you could save $200 on a DIY job on one component

Enjoy your MBA I have had 4 and bought 9 in total for my Mrs and kids and would be still using the old style if they had changed the screen sooner

 

[SDColorado]

Yes, but

Firstly your getting something much more back than just a new battery after 3 years or more use

True that. I have a 4 year warranty on mine. If I can go in to the MS store and swap my 4+ year old machine for a refurb for $450 count me in

 

[raqball]

True that. I have a 4 year warranty on mine. If I can go in to the MS store and swap my 4+ year old machine for a refurb for $450 count me in

I am considering adding MS Complete but I never keep machines longer than a year or so..

I agree. I'd gladly pay $450 it to swap it out if needed.... Is the refurb swap only if you have MS Complete?

Still digging the SL2... Its a great machine!

 

[SDColorado]

I am considering adding MS Complete but I never keep machines longer than a year or so..

I agree. I'd gladly pay $450 it to swap it out if needed.... Is the refurb swap only if you have MS Complete?

Still digging the SL2... Its a great machine!

The refurb swap is for out of warranty exchange if your device is no longer covered by the standard 1-year warranty or Microsoft Complete. The prices vary by device and can be found here.

Otherwise, if you have complete on your device and it is coved by that plan, then there is only a $49 co-pay. I got the 4-year complete for Business because the cost was $399 (not much more than Apple Care+) and it was discounted $50 as was the Surface Hub if I bought them as a bundle. So $100 savings for the two, but it put the 4-year Complete coverage at $349 with 2 incidences of ADP.

I believe for 1 additional year coverage, if you only keep your devices 2 years, the cost is $149 and will cover your device for the full 2 years, including accidental damage.