Introducing Surface Book 2 • Hacker News Board

Re: Introducing Surface Book 2

#41

Post by Slaul » Tue, Oct 17, 2017, 2:31 PM UTC

Jaqua wrote: post #34

pbnjay wrote: 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."

My Nexus 6P charges with USB-C.

Re: Introducing Surface Book 2

#42

Post by masklinn » Tue, Oct 17, 2017, 2:32 PM UTC

kanishkdudeja wrote: post #33

zeveb wrote: post #30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

On the SB1, IIRC the touch screen worked but the dGPU, bluetooth and camera did not, you needed a patched kernel for hardware buttons and wifi, and hibernation didn't work (and the hardware didn't properly support suspend to ram). Not sure about the "tablet" mode.

Re: Introducing Surface Book 2

#43

Post by Jaqua » Tue, Oct 17, 2017, 2:32 PM UTC

chx wrote: post #37

Jaqua wrote: 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?

Hmm.. Not really..

Re: Introducing Surface Book 2

#44

Post by jackielii » Tue, Oct 17, 2017, 2:33 PM UTC

zeveb wrote: post #30

Jaqua wrote: 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.

Same here. I can live without touch or stylus, just want a performance laptop with good screen (3:2 ratio) and keyboard.

Re: Introducing Surface Book 2

#45

Post by freeone3000 » Tue, Oct 17, 2017, 2:33 PM UTC

needz wrote: post #15

fredley wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This... looks nothing like a macbook. It's got a matte metallic frame and a black bezel, but that's about where the similarities end as far as it looks to me.

Are we looking at the same thing? It looks incredibly similar to Macbooks.

No, macbooks close flat. This closes into a wedge, with the rear hinge approximately one-half-inch higher than the front when closed, with a gap between screen and keyboard.

In addition, macbooks are bezel-filled and sleek, where this emphasizes straight edges. Horizontal corners are rounded, but vertical edges are square.

Keyboard is also very square, instead of the rounded rects favored by macbooks.

About the only thing that's the same is that they're both aluminum white laptops.

Re: Introducing Surface Book 2

#46

Post by avcdsuia » Tue, Oct 17, 2017, 2:33 PM UTC

Now I want a 3:2 MacBook Pro 15'', the display ratio that Mac notebook used to have(PowerBook G4). 3:2 is much more comfortable working with, enough vertical space for reading code and no sacrifice for horizontal space.

Re: Introducing Surface Book 2

#47

Post by sitkack » Tue, Oct 17, 2017, 2:33 PM UTC

Still stuck with only 16GB of ram, https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/surface/devices/surface-book...

Re: Introducing Surface Book 2

#48

Post by freeone3000 » Tue, Oct 17, 2017, 2:34 PM UTC

waegawegawe wrote: post #22

fhood wrote: 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.

I think what you mean is, "why do so many high end laptops have thin, metal, unibody chassis?" But, when you ask the question that way, it kind of answers itself. People like metal, because it feels more high end than plastic. Unibody chassis don't need to be fastened together, which is good for manufacturing and looks. People like thin laptops because they are more portable than thick ones.

It's technically not unibody, the keyboard (and its GPU) detach.

Re: Introducing Surface Book 2

#49

Post by bhauer » Tue, Oct 17, 2017, 2:34 PM UTC

dandare wrote: post #31

How tall is the hinge when closed?

It looks the same as the original Surface Book, which puts it at approximately 1 inch.

Re: Introducing Surface Book 2

#50

Post by wallabie » Tue, Oct 17, 2017, 2:34 PM UTC

Interesting. Does anyone here actually use the dial, or know someone that does? Otherwise, it doesn't look like a compelling upgrade to my Surface Book (1) though. Even though I paid an arm a leg for it, I've grown to love it over time. Glad they are providing both 13" and 15" options though.