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Microsoft Surface Book i7 - 2016

Metascore

Pros & Cons

Reviews

Similar Products

84

TechSpot Metascore

Based on 7 expert reviews
  • Excellent:
    2
  • Good:
    5
  • Average:
    0
  • Bad:
    0
8.0

User Score

Based on 86 reviews
as scored by Amazon users

The Surface Book "Performance Base" refresh brings a faster Core i7 processor, a GTX 965M GPU for twice the graphics performance, and a larger battery. All worthy upgrades on a svelte package that is still very expensive. Reviewers are praising it for what it delivers, except that maybe Microsoft could've waited just a little while longer and ship with Kaby Lake and a Pascal GPU instead.

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Last revision on July 11, 2018

Editors Liked

  • Faster performance
  • Almost 20 hours of battery life
  • GeForce GTX 965M graphics
  • Great keyboard and trackpad
  • Has USB ports and SD card slot
  • Last year's Performance Base is compatible with this year's Surface Book

Editors Didn't Like

  • Very expensive
  • Last year's processor and graphics card
  • Angular shape when closed
  • Doesn't meet minimum specs for VR gaming

Direct Competitors and Related Products

  • 82

    Apple MacBook Pro 13" - Late 2016

  • 80

    Samsung Notebook 9 - 2016

  • 87

    Dell XPS 13 - Late 2016

  • 81

    Apple MacBook 12" - Early 2016

  • 83

    Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga

  • 87

    HP Spectre X360 - 2016

Expert reviews and ratings

By Computer Shopper on December 09, 2016 80

Today's top detachable 2-in-1, Microsoft's updated Surface Book is a stunner, packing improved graphics, a Core i7 CPU, and longer battery life. It's great for getting work done, but you'll need to work a bunch to pay for it: It starts at $2,399. Read...

By PCMag on November 10, 2016 80

The new Microsoft Surface Book may only be a simple iteration of last year's beloved tablet newcomer, but it packs some powerful upgrades and fantastic battery life, making the very good even better. It's just a lot more expensive.

By TechRadar on November 10, 2016 90

Incorporating all the extras – from the ability to run off with the clipboard, the incredible accuracy of the Surface Pen and the engineering feats of the hinge – they all serve to enhance the experience, rather than detract. In time, Microsoft will smooth out all the rough edges of its first go. Both the Dell XPS 13 and 15-inch MacBook Pro are well worth purchasing in their own right. But if you want an excellent laptop that does just a bit more, then the Surface Book is your ticket.

By Engadget on November 10, 2016 89

The refreshed Surface Book has very flaws, with a well-crafted chassis, comfortable keyboard, vibrant screen, fast performance and even longer battery life than on last year's model. As ever, you'll pay dearly for the privilege of owning it, and the relatively heavy weight and imbalanced weight distribution make it less portable than lighter systems. What you accept in heft, though, you'll make up for in both battery life and port selection.

By The Verge on November 10, 2016 83

A year ago, Microsoft set out to prove to the world that a Windows laptop could hang with the best MacBooks from Apple. The Surface Book, with its head-turning design, wild hinge technology, and detachable screen was just that laptop. Microsoft largely...

By cnet on November 10, 2016 83

The design remains mostly unchanged, but PC power users will like the extra power and battery life on the updated 2016 version of the Surface...

By SlashGear on November 10, 2016 80

NOW READ: Microsoft's Surface Studio is a stunning AIOSadly, while existing Surface Book owners could dock their screen into the new Performance Base and get all the benefits of the new GPU, Microsoft won't be selling the keyboard section separately....

By thunderbaylive.com on November 12, 2016

Lisa Gade reviews the latest Microsoft Surface Book model, the 2016 Performance Base with a much more powerful NVIDIA GTX 965M 2GB DDR5 graphics processor and a higher capacity battery. This is the new top of the line option for the Surface Book, and...

By PCWorld on November 10, 2016

In use, however, it appears there’s plenty of life left in these parts. That the Surface Book i7 can actually give you better graphics performance than a larger 15-inch laptop with discrete graphics is amazing. Combined with its tablet mode, swanky hinge, pen support, beautiful screen, and stellar battery life, it’s easy to remember what made us fall in love with the Surface Book in the first place.

By thunderbaylive.com on November 10, 2016

Microsoft's Surface Book with Performance Base is the company's top-of-the-line laptop, but should it be your next computer? Find out in our review.Surface Pro 4 Still Worth It?: Meet the Surface Studio: Read more about the Microsoft Surface Book with...

By MobileSyrup on November 10, 2016

Going into Microsoft's fall Windows 10 event in New York City on October 26th, the company was not expected to announce a new Surface Book or Surface Pro. However, in something of a surprise announcement, Panos Panay, corporate vice president of devices...

By mashable.com on November 10, 2016

Microsoft Surface Book with Performance BaseThe GoodDidn't mess with a good design • Strong performance across a wide range of tasks • Good battery life • Can handle real PC gamesThe BadPriceyThe Bottom LineThis is an excellent pro-level Windows 10...

By V3.co.uk on August 16, 2016

The second generation of Microsoft's laptop is likely to ditch the hinge gap, run Intel's latest Kaby Lake CPUs and support resolutions of up to 4K. We've gathered everything we know so far about the device, including the expected release date, price...

International Review By computerwoche.de on November 15, 2016

Microsoft verspricht mit dem neuen Surface Book "die Zukunft des Laptops". Wir haben uns das Topmodell der Surface-Book-Reihe angesehen und sagen Ihnen, ob die 3.200 Euro gut angelegt...

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