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Introducing Surface Book 2

blogs.windows.com

31–40 of 520 posts

Re: Introducing Surface Book 2

#32

Finally, USB-C in a Surface product!

I'm actually really glad they have up until now left USB-C out. We're at a point in USB-C's life I'd consider it an anti-feature, and the Surface Book 2's no exception: This particular USB-C port is really only useful for adding a second display. It's more or less fine as an extra port, but anywhere it takes away a Type A port, or even the Mini-DP it replaced is a little sad.

Marco Arment posted this a couple days ago, and it sums up... some of... the issues with USB-C: https://marco.org/2017/10/14/impossible-dream-of-usb-c

Re: Introducing Surface Book 2

#33
post #30
post #21

Looks like a proper MacBook Pro replacement HW wise, but the OS is not one I would use for work.. =/ So attached to OSX for the past 6 years and cannot see me using a windows OS for work , but at home only for gaming. The new MacBook Pro has many flaws. Not sure how this compares in real use for it?

I imagine that it can run Linux, right — if not now, soon. I personally much prefer Linux to both macOS & Windows, although obviously tastes differ. I get a tiling WM with no cruft, I can completely control my UI, I can get work done quickly and easily.

The stylus and the touch might not work perfectly with Linux.

Re: Introducing Surface Book 2

#34
post #24

Why do no pics show the USB-A side of the system clearly? It's like they only want to talk about USB-C. Also I can't tell if it does USB-C Power Delivery or not? Or would I still need a separate charger for this? Would be really nice to only carry one charger for phone and laptop...

What phone charges with USB-C?

From here: https://www.windowscentral.com/surface-book-2-tech-specs "Microsoft is still using its proprietary Surface Connect for power and the optional Surface Dock."

aaah.. at the end: "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."

Re: Introducing Surface Book 2

#35
post #10

How's the track pad on these things? The track pad on the latest XPS is atrocious and at times unusable.

If it’s anything like the first surface book then it’s likely to be pretty bad. I had to carry a mouse with me at all times to be able to properly use the surface book. So far Apple laptops are the only one’s with a trackpad I can actually use all day and not miss having a separate mouse (for work not gaming obviously).

Re: Introducing Surface Book 2

#36
Any experiences with dual booting in to Linux on the Surface Book? I can imagine some things, like detaching not working optimally, but does it work at all?

Re: Introducing Surface Book 2

#37
post #21

Looks like a proper MacBook Pro replacement HW wise, but the OS is not one I would use for work.. =/ So attached to OSX for the past 6 years and cannot see me using a windows OS for work , but at home only for gaming. The new MacBook Pro has many flaws. Not sure how this compares in real use for it?

https://github.com/chx/chx.github.io/wiki/How-I-set-up-my-Wi... does this help?

Re: Introducing Surface Book 2

#38
post #3

Why does every single high end laptop need to look exactly like a macbook? I want anybody who doesn't believe me to google up a picture of one next to the other.

It's magnesium and not aluminum. Its keyboard is color-matched to the metal. Its screen detaches. Its trackpad doesn't take up the entire space between the keyboard and the edge. Its chamfered edge is the full width of the trackpad so you don't hurt your wrist. It has the Surface Book's signature "fulcrum hinge" and the associated gap. Its display has air vents. Both the base and the display are the same thickness.

But it's a metal laptop that comes in two sizes, so it looks like a MacBook to some people.

Re: Introducing Surface Book 2

#39

A bit of headline fail there: "Introducing Surface Book 2, the most powerful Surface Book ever" Out of the two of them so far?

Technically, 3 of them because they had a mini-refresh of the "Surface Book with Performance Base" around 1 year after the initial release.

Re: Introducing Surface Book 2

#40
post #34
post #24

Why do no pics show the USB-A side of the system clearly? It's like they only want to talk about USB-C. Also I can't tell if it does USB-C Power Delivery or not? Or would I still need a separate charger for this? Would be really nice to only carry one charger for phone and laptop...

What phone charges with USB-C? From here: https://www.windowscentral.com/surface-book-2-tech-specs "Microsoft is still using its proprietary Surface Connect for power and the optional Surface Dock." aaah.. at the end: "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."

I have a Nexus 5X, my wife has a Nexus 6P, and my computer is a Dell XPS 13. We charge all three with a USB-C charger, which means less cords and adapters around the house and in the car.
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