Microsoft Surface Book with Performance Base (i7/16GB model)
NOT EVEN A DEDICATED GPU AND LONG BATTERY LIFE CAN JUSTIFY THAT PRICE.
LATE LAST YEAR, Microsoft refreshed the Surface Book, adding in a faster processor and better GPU. Its stated goal was to “create the best 2-in-1 laptop possible”, though whether it achieved that goal is questionable. There is a lot to like about the Surface Book: its unique detachable design, the very usable keyboard and trackpad, the great stylus support for creative work. The tablet section, when divorced from the base, is surprisingly light and it was the only 2-in-1 we looked at that included an actual dedicated graphics processor with independent memory. It also has a huge battery — the best of any 2-in-1.
With the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 965M graphics processor, it absolutely nuked the competition in the 3D tests, and is the only 2-in-1 we’ve seen that’s viable for 3D gaming. Its battery life was also the best of the bunch. However, because it doesn’t have the latestgeneration CPU, it still lagged behind the top devices when it came to general performance.
That slightly-behind-the-curve CPU wasn’t the only issue we had with the Surface Book. The too-loose hinge leaves a gap when the book is closed, letting in dust and making it thicker than it needs to be. There’s no Thunderbolt port, and it’s heavier than the previousgeneration Surface Book. And then there’s the price.
Not even the dedicated GPU, long battery life and beautiful 3,000 x 2,000 screen can justify that price tag. The Dell and Lenovo reviewed above have better screens and newer CPUs and are still substantially less expensive. Still expensive, but not $4,200 expensive. Shave $1,000 off the cost and the Surface Book is a contender, but right now, that’s just too much.