Surface Book 2 vs Surface Laptop 2: The Book or the Laptop?

Are you wondering the difference between the Surface Book 2 and Laptop 2? This Surface Book 2 vs Surface Laptop 2 comparison review will answer all your questions about these two Microsoft devices.

Surface Book 2 vs Surface Laptop 2: At First Glance

When Microsoft ventured into the hardware part of the computing world, they were able to set the bar for what would be the ideal 2-in-1 laptop. They did this with their Surface Pro line.

A few years later, in 2015 to be precise, they began to expand more into the market with the more laptop-like Surface Book. Currently, Microsoft’s line of Surface devices now spans every major kind of laptop.

In 2017 to be precise, Microsoft was able to fill in the role of regular traditional laptops with the Surface Laptop. Since the release of the first Surface Book and Surface Laptop, Microsoft has updated both with a newer version 2.

While they maintain the signature components of their predecessors, they still come with a lot of upgrades. However, these upgrades made them more expensive than their previous versions.

When I published this article in December 2021, the Surface Book 2 goes for $1,299.99 while the Surface Laptop 2 goes for $539.00. At these price points, what can we expect?

Let’s find out.

Surface Book 2 vs Surface Laptop 2: Design, Dimension, and Weight

If there’s anything worth mentioning first, it is the fact that both laptops look almost entirely like their predecessors. Very little has noticeably changed in both laptops when it comes to design.

This means that you get a repeat of most of the beautiful things you loved about the previous versions of both laptops. Sadly, you also get a few of the unsatisfying elements too – I will point them out later on.

To start with, the Surface Book 2 still has the premium magnesium alloy build that the Surface Book had. Hence, the Surface Book 2 also gives off a premium feel that indirectly tells you that you are getting your money’s worth.

Though the design is subjective, no one with a keen eye for beauty will write off the Surface Book 2’s design. It is elegant enough to grace any setting in which you use it.

Be it on your desk during your regular job hours or in a business meeting, the Surface Book 2 will fit right in. Aside from fitting in, its beauty will win the attention of admirers.

Similarly, the Surface Laptop 2 is a subtle attention seeker. Like the Surface Book 2, the Surface Laptop 2 also looks stylish enough to draw the attention of your colleagues or admirers.

After all, the Surface Laptop 2 features the Apple MacBook kind of design that the first Surface Laptop had, except for the fact that it has gotten dark skin. Regardless of the color change, the Surface Laptop 2 still looks as good as its predecessor – if not better.

Besides, there’s no denying the fact that the new jet-black color on the Surface Laptop 2 adds some sort of distinction to its design and build. It perfectly complements the laptop’s smooth anodized aluminum unibody construction.

Asides from that, it also gives the Surface Laptop 2 a new stylish appearance. Though there are options for you to get the laptop in Cobalt Blue, Burgundy, or the regular Silver Magnesium color, I will always prefer the black color.

Beyond the black color, the Surface Laptop 2 is a fine piece of aluminum with clean lines, smooth surfaces, and tight corners. The same goes for the Surface Book 2, whose construction is squeaky clean.

Its edges are well-rounded, its lines are neat, and its surfaces are very smooth. One could as well come up with the conclusion that the guiding principle behind both laptops’ construction is simplicity.

The only kind of design pattern you will be able to spot on both laptops is the reflective windows logo right at the center of their lids. Other than that, both laptops are entirely like a solid chunk of block with their lids closed.

However, the Surface Book 2’s dynamic fulcrum hinge begs to differ a little. Did I mention that the highly controversial fulcrum hinge is back again?

Well, it is, and its look still divides opinion. No doubt, it is well-engineered, and it certainly does what it needs to do well.

However, it doesn’t allow the screen and keyboard to perfectly flush when the laptop is closed. As a result, one can almost see through the interior of the laptop even when it is closed.

Also, it is a bit easy for dust and debris to find their way into the interior of the laptop. Outside these negatives, there are plenty of positives to take from the Surface Book 2’s unique fulcrum hinge.

In fact, this fulcrum hinge is the major difference maker between the Surface Book 2 and Surface Laptop 2. The major difference it makes is that it gives the Surface Book 2’s design more functionality.

Unlike the Surface Laptop 2’s hinge, the Surface Book 2’s hinge does more than just enable swift opening and closing of the lid. It allows for versatility when detaching the Surface Book 2’s screen to be used as a tablet.

To use the Surface Book 2 in tablet mode, simply press the dedicated detach button at the top right corner of the keyboard. After you press it for a second, you will hear an audible click followed by a display on the screen that says “Ready to Detach.”

The process of getting it back to laptop mode is equally easy. All you need to do is slot the detached screen back onto the fulcrum hinge.

Thanks to this hinge, you can also use the Surface Book 2 in stand or tent mode.

Like I stated earlier, the Surface laptop’s hinge, on the other hand, is just a regular hinge. Hence, the Surface Laptop 2’s design is not as versatile as the Surface Book 2’s.

Regardless, the Surface Laptop 2’s hinge is equally excellent in its own rights. To open most laptops, you need to hold their base down with one finger while you lift the lid so they don’t slide off the table.

However, Surface Laptop 2 begs to differ!

You can easily open up this laptop with one finger without causing the rest of the laptop to move. In short, the Surface Laptop 2’s hinge is an excellent piece of impeccable industrial engineering.

It would make you wish all laptops were as satisfying to open as the Surface Laptop 2.

Speaking of opening laptops, opening the Surface Book 2’s lid reveals the same similar world of matte gray magnesium finish on its exterior. Meanwhile, the interior of the Surface Laptop 2 takes you to a different world of spill-and-stain-proof Alcantara fabric.

Aside from the distinctive touch of luxury, this fabric adds to the Surface Laptop 2, it also beautifully complements its aluminum chassis. It has a soft-touch feel that feels incredible on the wrist.

Owing to this pleasurable feel, I’d surmises that typing on the Surface Laptop 2 would be comfortable. As I expected, typing with the Surface Laptop 2’s cushy keys is comfortable.

Its 1.3 mm key travel makes typing more fun. The Surface Book 2’s keyboard, on the other hand, offers a 1.2 mm key travel.

If you’re curious, key travel is a term used to define the distance between a keyboard’s key resting position and how far it deeps when pressed.

Moving on, the Surface Book 2’s backlit keys feel comfortable to type on. The keys have a clickiness that feels satisfying, and the spaces between them are wide enough.

On the 10fastfingers.com typing test, the average typist should be able to type 80 words per minute with the Surface Book 2’s keyboard. With the Surface Laptop 2, you will probably be able to type at least 85 words per minute.

Below their keyboards, both laptops feature a 4.1 x 2.7 glass touchpad. Both laptops’ touchpads offer remarkably lag-free inputs and scrolling.

Regardless of the action you are trying to perform, both touchpads are very responsive. Whether you are scrolling through web pages or you are trying to use Windows 10’s three-finger app-switching gestures, you won’t encounter any difficulty.

In terms of entering inputs, the Surface Book still offers another means to enter commands. Microsoft offers the option for you to buy a Surface Pen along with the Surface Book 2.

Like the touchpad, this Surface Pen is lag-free. It offers 4,096 degrees of pressure sensitivity and registers tilts for shading.

Back to the keyboard base, both laptops still seem to feature an element, but these elements are hidden from plain sight. I was surprised to find out that the Surface Laptop 2 and Book 2’s speakers are hidden below the surface where their keyboards meet their display.

Due to the way both laptops’ speakers are positioned, they don’t sound loud enough. I’d mostly qualify both laptops’ speakers to be “ok” because they are adequate for multimedia operations.

If only they were louder with a bit more bass, they could have been very close to being perfect.

Above their keyboard base, both laptops feature a 13.5-inch PixelSense touchscreen display. The displays on Surface Book 2 and Surface Laptop 2 also have the same aspect ratio of 3:2.

Though there may seem to be a lot of similarities between both laptops’ displays at first, there are also many different things about their displays.

To start with, the Surface Book 2’s 13.5-inch display has a QHD screen resolution of 3240 x 2160. Meanwhile, the Surface Laptop 2’s 13.5-inch display has a QHD resolution of 2256 x 1504.

In addition, Microsoft also offers the option for you to buy the Surface Book 2 with a 15-inch display. Its 15-inch display option has a QHD screen resolution of 3000 x 2000.

The brightness offered by Surface Book 2 vs Surface Laptop 2 also differs. While the Surface Book 2 can get bright enough to offer 374 nits of brightness, the highest you can get from the Surface Laptop 2 is 321 nits.

In terms of ports, both the Surface Book 2 and Surface Laptop 2 are very poor. Unfortunately, this is the price Microsoft had to pay for both laptops’ incredibly compact forms.

To give more detail, the Surface Book 2 measures just 312 x 232 x 13-23 mm and weighs 1534 g. The Surface Laptop, on the other hand, measures 308.1 x 223.2 x 14.4 mm and weighs 1252 g.

Even though the Surface Laptop is lighter and more compact, anyone would be happy with both laptops’ measurements. Sadly, their port selection leaves much to be desired.

On the Surface Book 2, you get just 2 USB 3.1 Gen 1 port and 1 USB-C port. Meanwhile, the Surface Laptop 2 offers just 1 USB 3.0 port.

Very disappointing.

Nonetheless, both laptops are awesome when you consider their overall design and build. They are both attractive, sturdy, and very compact.

I would have given them the same scores in this section, but the functionality in the Surface Book 2’s design gives it a slight edge. As a result, it scores a nine in this Surface Book 2 vs Surface Laptop 2 design comparison review.

Meanwhile, the Surface Laptop scores an eight.

Surface Book 2 vs Surface Laptop 2: Processor (CPU) Performance

Microsoft has a lot in stock for you when it comes to the processors of both the Surface Book 2 and Surface Laptop 2. You have the option to equip either of the two laptops with one out of three processor configuration options.

When you buy the Surface Book 2, you can equip it with either a dual-core Intel Core i5-7300U or a quad-core Intel Core i5-8350U. There’s also a quad-core Intel Core i7-8650U available.

Depending on the configurations you equip your Surface Book 2 with, you will get varying performance capabilities. To give you a clearer picture of what I mean, I will quickly give you the details of how fast these processors can make your laptop operate.

With the Core i5-7300U processor, your Surface Book 2 will run at a base frequency of 2.60 GHz and a maximum frequency of 3.50 GHz. Meanwhile, the Intel Core i5-8350U processor will offer a base frequency of 1.70 GHz and a maximum frequency of 3.60 GHz.

The Intel Core i7-8650U, on the other hand, will offer a base frequency of 1.90 GHz and a maximum frequency of 4.20 GHz.

If you choose to buy the Surface Laptop 2, you’ll have the opportunity to choose from three processor configuration options too.

You can either buy the laptop with a quad-core Intel Core i5-8250U, a quad-core Intel Core i5-8350U, or a quad-core Intel Core i7-8650U processor.

Like I stated for the Surface Book 2, the processor you choose can determine the speed at which your laptop will run.

If you equip your Surface Laptop 2 with the Core i5-8250U processor, you will get a base frequency of 1.60 GHz and a maximum frequency of 3.40 GHz.

With the Core i5-8350U processor, your laptop will run at a base frequency of 1.70 GHz and a maximum frequency of 3.60 GHz. Meanwhile, the Core i7-8650U processor will enable your laptop to run at a base frequency of 1.90 GHz and a maximum frequency of 4.20 GHz.

Since configurations usually have a big effect on a laptop’s performance, I would like to quickly point out a fact before I proceed. For the record, our Surface Book 2 review unit features the Intel Core i7-8650U processor.

Meanwhile, our Surface Laptop 2 review unit came equipped with the Intel Core i5-8250U processor.

Considering real-world performances first, both the Surface Book 2 and Surface Laptop 2 displayed unbelievable power. They both aced the real-world tests we usually consider for laptops.

To give more detail, neither of the two laptops had problems with basic computing operations. You will absolutely enjoy typing and editing documents on Microsoft word, sending emails, and surfing the web on both of these laptops.

Solely on real-world performance tests, it is hard to pick which is superior between the two laptops. Hence, we will consider how well they both handled a processor-specific benchmark test.

This test is known as the Cinebench R15 benchmark test. The Cinebench R15 is a benchmark software that tests how well a laptop’s processor performs under a series computing workload.

Furthermore, this benchmark has an aspect that tests for when only one of the processor cores is put to use – the single-core test. It also tests for when more than one of the laptop’s processor cores is put to use – this one is known as the multi-core test.

When we retrieved both laptops’ results in these aspects, we discovered that the Surface Book 2 performed better. In the single-core aspect, the Surface Book 2 achieved 178 points, while the Surface Laptop 2 scored 141 points.

The outcome remains the same in the multi-core aspect. While the Surface Laptop 2 had a score of 590 points, the Surface Book 2 got a better score of 675 points.

To round off, these results leave no room for further doubts or arguments as to which of them is superior in terms of processing power. As a result, the Surface Book 2 scores a nine in this Surface Book 2 vs Surface Laptop 2 processor performance comparison.

Meanwhile, the Surface Laptop 2 scores an eight for its impressive processing power.

Surface Book 2 vs Surface Laptop 2: Memory (RAM) Performance

Things are quite different with the Surface Book 2 and Surface Laptop 2 when it comes to memory. Unlike in the processor aspect, Microsoft doesn’t offer buyers the privilege of choosing between different memory configuration options.

You only get one RAM configuration option on both laptops. Moreover, the type of RAM both laptops come with is the same.

The Surface Book 2 and Surface Laptop 2 both come with 8 GB LPDDR3 RAM.

Despite having only one RAM slot each, you can upgrade both laptops’ RAM configurations to 16 GB. Still, the 16 GB RAM maximum configuration may disappoint those that carry out lots of memory-intensive tasks.

For instance, it may be a turn-off for some creatives like video editors, who usually crave higher memory capacities. Truly, 16 GB will be enough for most memory-intensive tasks, but some memory-intensive tasks will make you wish you could get more.

If you are mostly going to be performing regular computing operations, you will be fine. At least, that’s what both laptops’ RAM performance reassures us.

If there’s anything I’m sure about, it’s that both laptops are ready for most multitasking operations you could throw at them. In fact, they are both proficient at a variety of jobs.

They can multitask between different programs like browser tabs, spreadsheet documents, and Spotify. In use, both the Surface Book 2 and Surface Laptop 2 were able to run smoothly with 25 Chrome tabs while streaming a video on YouTube.

Throughout the real-world performance tests, the Surface Book 2 and Laptop 2 traded enough blows to make us think they were on the same level. However, the benchmark test results told us something entirely different.

Going by the RAM performance benchmark test results, the Surface Laptop is the superior laptop in this aspect. To give more details, the benchmark we considered for the RAM test is the PCMark 8 benchmark.

This benchmark usually tests how well a laptop can perform in terms of memory-intensive tasks. It does this by replicating various real-world productivity and content-creation operations.

To simply put, the PCMark 8 operates by simulating office-related tasks like word processing, web surfing, spreadsheet preparation, and videoconferencing.

Like I hinted earlier, the Surface Laptop 2 offered better performance in this test. While it scored 4923 points, the Surface Book 2 scored 3073 points.

With this fact, we can certainly say that the Surface Laptop 2 is superior when it comes to memory performance. As a result, it scores a nine in this Surface Book 2 vs Surface Laptop 2 memory review comparison.

The Surface Book 2, on the other hand, scores an eight.

Surface Book 2 vs Surface Laptop 2: Storage Options and Performance

Just like in the previous aspect – RAM, both the Surface Book 2 and Surface Laptop 2 offer the same storage configuration. Both laptops come with maximum storage sizes of 1 TB SSD.

However, when it comes to storage expansion via a microSD card, the story is slightly different.

While the Surface Book 2 offers a full-size SDXC card reader for an extra storage option, the Surface Laptop doesn’t. If we were to judge both laptops based on their configuration options alone, the Surface Book 2 would have the edge, but let’s look at their performance also.

Performance-wise, both laptops would be able to perform speedily because of their SSD storage disks. To confirm this claim, let’s take a look at how fast it takes both laptops to copy a 4.97 GB file.

On this test, it took both the Surface Book 2 and Surface Laptop 2.25 seconds to copy a 4.97 GB file. Surprisingly, both laptops copied the same file at a rate of 203 MBps.

For the benchmark test, I consulted the CrystalDiskMark benchmark. This benchmark usually tests for the operation speed of a laptop’s storage disk.

On this test, the Surface Laptop 2 performed better. It offered a sequential read speed of 1009.4 MBps and a sequential write speed of 715.96 MBps.

Meanwhile, the Surface Book 2 recorded a sequential read speed of 899.8 MBps and a sequential write speed of 656.7 MBps.

Based on these results, we can conclude that the Surface Laptop 2 offers a better storage performance. Hence, it scores a nine in this Surface Book 2 vs Surface Laptop 2 storage review comparison.

Meanwhile, the Surface Book 2 scores an eight for its equally good performance and extra storage option.

Surface Book 2 vs Surface Laptop 2: Graphics Card Performance

All along, the Surface Book 2 has always been the most likely laptop to favor multiple configurations, and it still does it in this aspect. Unlike the Surface Laptop 2, which offers only one graphics configuration option, the Surface Book 2 offers three GPU configuration options.

You can buy the Surface Book 2 with either an integrated Intel UHD Graphics 620 GPU or a dedicated NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 GPU. There’s also a dedicated NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 option.

Note that when you equip your Surface Book 2 with the Intel UHD Graphics 620 GPU, you won’t get a dedicated VRAM with it.

However, if you equip your laptop with either the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 or NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 GPU, you will get a dedicated VRAM.

If you’re wondering, a GPU with a dedicated VRAM performs graphics processing better than a GPU integrated into the CPU.

Moving on, the GTX 1050 comes with a 6 GB GDDR5 dedicated VRAM. Meanwhile, the GTX 1060 comes with a 3 GB GDDR5 dedicated VRAM.

To give you a quick glimpse of these graphic cards’ capabilities, I will highlight their performance speeds. Firstly, the integrated Intel UHD Graphics 620 GPU has a base frequency of 300 MHz and a boost frequency of 1150 MHz.

Secondly, the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 GPU has a base frequency of 1392 MHz and a boost frequency of 1518 MHz. Lastly, the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 offers a base frequency of 1506 MHz and a boost frequency of 1708 MHz.

Just so you don’t get confused, our Surface Book 2 review unit features the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 GPU.

Our Surface Laptop 2, on the other hand, features an integrated Intel UHD Graphics 620 GPU. This graphics card has a base frequency of 300 MHz and a boost frequency of 1150 MHz.

Sadly, this means that the Surface Laptop 2 doesn’t come equipped with a dedicated VRAM.

Going by their configurations, the Surface Book 2 looks like it is ready to claim this round. Its graphics card will definitely give you a better shot at crunching graphically-intensive tasks.

The benchmark test results even suggest the same. On the 3DMark test, the Surface Book 2 was able to notch a score of 135,2777.

Meanwhile, the Surface Laptop scored a meager 71,647 points. For those that are wondering, the 3DMark test is a benchmark test that accesses how well a laptop’s GPU can handle graphically intensive operations like gaming or video rendering.

Moving on, the Surface Book 2 also outperformed the Surface Laptop 2 in real-world gaming tests. With high settings, the Surface Book 2 could run Rise of the Tomb Raider at 33 frames per second.

The Surface Laptop 2, on the other hand, could barely play the game at its 10.2 frames per second. Fortunately, it was able to offer a playable rate of 82 frames per second when it ran Dirt 3.

However, the Surface Book 2 was able to offer a much better rate playing Dirt 3. The Surface Book 2 played the game at 119 frames per second.

Based on the points proven by both laptops’ performance results, the Surface Book 2 emerges victorious in this aspect. It outperformed the Surface Laptop 2 in every test we considered.

Hence, the Surface Book 2 scores a nine in this graphics card performance review comparison. The Surface Laptop 2, on the other hand, scores an eight.

Surface Book 2 vs Surface Laptop 2: Battery Life and Performance

Both the Surface Book 2 and Surface Laptop 2 come with Lithium-ion types of batteries, but their battery capacities differ. While the Surface Book 2 has a 69.0 Wh capacity, the Surface Laptop 2 has a 45.2 Wh capacity.

With the Surface Book 2, Microsoft promises a video-playback runtime of up to 17 hours. As for the Surface Laptop 2, they promised a video-playback runtime of up to 14.5 hours.

As we always do, I went ahead to put these claims to the test by comparing them with proven test results. However, before I uncover our findings, let’s first consider how long both laptops can last on the regular, continuous web-surfing test.

This continuous web-surfing test consists of a continuous web-surfing session at medium screen brightness. On this test, the Surface Book 2 lasted for 11 hours while the Surface Laptop 2 lasted for 9 hours and 3 minutes.

In the video playback battery life test, the Surface Book 2 lasted for 15 hours and 15 minutes, missing the promised runtime by just 2 hours. Meanwhile, you can play videos on the Surface Laptop 2 for over 13 hours and 38 minutes.

This is very close to Microsoft’s claim of 14.5 hours.

Overall, the Surface Book 2 offers a better battery runtime compared to the Surface Laptop 2. As a result, the Surface Book 2 scores a nine in this battery life review comparison.

Meanwhile, the Surface Laptop 2 scores an eight.

Our Rating Summary

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Even if they both appear to be laptops on the surface, the Surface Book 2 and Surface Laptop 2 are two different devices. It is clear that these two excellent Microsoft devices fill separate roles.

The Surface Book 2 is a versatile powerhouse with a removable display. It perfectly suits those who are in need of a tablet and a laptop but don’t want to move around with the two as separate devices.

On the other hand, the Surface Laptop 2 is a more traditional laptop that only offers a touch display. Overall, both devices are excellent performers, and you will absolutely get your money’s worth if you buy either of them, but the Surface Book 2 is the slightly better laptop.

If you don’t mind spending the extra cash for a tablet and laptop on one device, then you should definitely buy the Surface Book 2.

Hence, based on our comprehensive comparison of the Surface Book 2 vs Surface Laptop 2, we recommend the Surface Book 2.

However, if you don’t want to spend too much cash, the Surface Laptop 2 is not a bad option at all.

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