Microsoft Surface Book Core i5

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Reviews for the Microsoft Surface Book Core i5

88% Microsoft Surface Pro 2017 review: Is the upgrade from the Surface Pro 4 worth it?
Source: Techaeris Archive.org version
Microsoft has stepped their game up with the Surface series giving it some great specs under the hood, but the design has generally been the same with the Surface Pro 3/4. If you already have the Surface Pro 4 with the higher end specs, then there’s no point in upgrading. If funds aren’t an issue, sure go ahead and upgrade, but only get what you think you’ll need because, in my opinion, no one needs to go out and spend $2700 on a 2-in-1 that could be obsolete in the next year or two.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 08/06/2017
Rating: Total score: 88% price: 75% performance: 100% display: 90% mobility: 100% workmanship: 80%

The new Surface Pro is Microsoft's best hybrid device yet [Review]
Source: Beta News Archive.org version
In the end, if you're looking for a lightweight, powerful and mobile working device, and want to steer clear of Apple's devices, there really is no better alternative to the new Surface Pro.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 07/30/2017

Microsoft Surface Book one year on
Source: Bill Bennett Archive.org version
You get a beautiful screen and great performance with the ability to switch to a tablet when that helps. Microsoft managed to fit a useful new device format into a gap no-one could see. For want of a better name, it’s a premium hybrid PC, but that doesn’t tell the whole story. If you want a powerful Windows laptop that doubles as an occasional laptop and have the budget, this is by far the best option.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 11/14/2016

Review: Microsoft Surface Book
Source: Unlocked Newegg Archive.org version
It feels like an extremely high end laptop, the fact that it can also be used as an excellent tablet is icing on an already delicious cake. Everything from the magnesium body and metal keys to the satisfying electronic disconnect screams quality. It might be prohibitively priced for some, but for those who can afford it, it can’t be beat. That’s the beautiful thing about the highly competitive 2-in1 market, there are so many options to choose from in terms of quality and price.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 09/25/2016

90% Microsoft Surface Book review
Source: Techradar Archive.org version
While the Surface Book brings many technological innovations to the laptop space, it's greatest strength is that it's just an all-around terrific device.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 09/23/2016
Rating: Total score: 90%

70% Microsoft Surface Book
Source: Digital Trends Archive.org version
The Surface Book has attracted a lot of attention in the Digital Trends office. People ask about the hinge, and the display, and then the price. They’re always shocked to learn that it starts at $1,500, and I can’t understand why. We had the opportunity to test the base model along with this more powerful Core i7, and we found it’s a miniature powerhouse.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 07/12/2016
Rating: Total score: 70%

100% Review: Microsoft Surface Book
Source: PC Authority Archive.org version
There’s no doubt that the Surface Book is by far the best 2-in-1 laptop/tablet out there. It has the best fit and finish of any laptop I’ve ever used and the tablet on its own would be class leading. If you can justify the cost of the Surface Book, you’d have to be the pickiest of consumers not to be satisfied with it. Just don’t think about the cost and you’ll love it.
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 02/25/2016
Rating: Total score: 100%

Hands-on with Microsoft's impressive first laptop (better yet, it's a tablet too)
Source: Tech Advisor Archive.org version
It's a pricy little laptop, but it really does feel worth it for the practicality and design, as well as its build quality and the addition of the Surface Pen. I'd consider buying one myself, and everyone I spoke to at the Microsoft stand was in agreement, suggesting that they'd be hinting to their bosses about it when they returned to work. It's an exciting new laptop and I expect it'll be the first of many from Microsoft. We're looking forward to spending more time with the Microsoft Surface Book in the near future, and will be updating this review accordingly with our final verdict.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 01/04/2016

The Microsoft Surface Book and Surface Pro 4 Review
Source: PC Perspective Archive.org version
The hardware design is superb, the hardware configuration is top of the line for this generation, Windows 10 is more than capable of handling the high DPI resolutions and there is no bloatware to deal with on the Surface platforms. Other than the eccentricities of the designs (Type Cover, hinge), price is the only thing that you can really complain about on either the Surface Pro 4 or the Surface Book. If you want flagship Windows notebooks that combine design, style, technology and performance, both the Surface Pro 4 and Surface Book are the best you can buy. If I were picking one to keep in my bag going forward, I think the larger screen and discrete GPU option on the Surface Book would make it my selection.
Comparison, online available, Very Long, Date: 12/21/2015

75% Microsoft Surface Book Review
Source: Techspot Archive.org version
So would I buy the Surface Book to replace my Dell XPS 13? Probably not. The concept is great, and Microsoft have created the most compelling productivity-ready hybrid device to date, but it feels very much like a very well-rounded prototype that will become so much better in its second iteration. There are just a few too many compromises and software issues for me to recommend the device over a standalone laptop, especially considering the price difference between the Surface Book and its competitors.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 12/21/2015
Rating: Total score: 75%

Microsoft's Surface Book
Source: ITNews Australia Archive.org version
You will, however, pay a premium for the tablet/laptop functionality: my $4199 review unit is a good chunk'o'change. You could buy a top of the range 13-inch MacBook Pro with similar specs as the Surface Book and have change left for an iPad mini 4 as a companion tablet.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 12/04/2015

90% Microsoft Surface Book
Source: Computer Shopper Archive.org version
As we said earlier, Microsoft has managed to do something genuinely new with the Surface Book: make a full-fledged notebook that's also a first-class tablet (with the exception of the lackluster battery life in tablet mode, although four hours is adequate for your average bedtime browsing or couch-potato video viewing session).
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 11/11/2015
Rating: Total score: 90%

70% Microsoft Surface Book
Source: Laptop Mag Archive.org version
While pricey, Microsoft has created a laptop that I could picture myself ditching my MacBook Air for. I love the sharp and colorful touch display, very long battery life and swift overall performance. The keyboard and touchpad are also comfortable, although I wished scrolling were a bit smoother.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 11/10/2015
Rating: Total score: 70%

80% Microsoft Surface Book
Source: Comp Reviews Archive.org version
Microsoft's first laptop system offers a very solid experience with a few twists thanks to its 2-in-1 ability to detach the screen. This makes it a great option for those that need to use a tablet from time to time but it still does not perform as well as a dedicated tablet as Microsoft's Surface Pro. The design could use a few more tweaks but overall this is a great laptop if you are willing to pay the price for it.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 11/02/2015
Rating: Total score: 80%

Microsoft Surface Book review: Expensive, but easily one of the best
Source: Gizmag Archive.org version
For the first three generations, "Microsoft Surface" meant a Windows-running tablet with a snap-on keyboard that turns it into a laptop. But today that Surface definition has expanded, now including a new device where the tablet part takes a backseat. Though it costs a pretty penny, the Surface Book is one badass laptop.
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 11/02/2015

It really is this good
Source: Computerworld.com Archive.org version
video review
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 10/21/2015

Tested: Microsoft Surface Book Review
Source: Tested Archive.org version
We're excited to test and review Microsoft's new Surface Book laptop! We've had one in the lab for about two weeks, and shared it with some artists and professional sculptors to get their thoughts on the laptop's graphics performance and pen responsiveness. Here's what we think about Microsoft's design for a two-in-one tablet/laptop, and how it compares to other Windows PCs.
video review
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 10/21/2015

70% Microsoft Surface Book
Source: Laptop Mag Archive.org version
While pricey, Microsoft has created a laptop that I could picture myself ditching my MacBook Air for. I love the sharp and colorful touch display, very long battery life and swift overall performance. The keyboard and touchpad are also comfortable, although I wished scrolling were a bit smoother.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 10/21/2015
Rating: Total score: 70%

90% Microsoft Surface Book
Source: PC Mag Archive.org version
The Microsoft Surface Book compares well with the best premium laptops we've seen, with the added feature of a detachable screen. Sure, the dynamic fulcrum hinge can be a bit fussy, but it solves more problems than it creates. This system's benchmark performance rivals that of our top ultraportable laptop, the Apple MacBook Pro, it's very light in both Laptop and Tablet modes, and is unencumbered by bloatware. Rivals like the Lenovo ThinkPad Helix 2nd Gen and the Toshiba Portege Z20t-B2112 cost one or two hundred dollars more, but lack the versatility of the Surface Book and don't match it on performance or battery life.
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 10/21/2015
Rating: Total score: 90%

90% Microsoft reimagines the laptop, and it's glorious
Source: PC World Archive.org version
Yes, the Surface Book with discrete graphics just can’t be touched by any other modern 13-inch Ultrabook in graphically intense chores. In CPU chores it gives as much as it gets from competing designs. It is truly the fastest laptop in its class. But is it really the “ultimate” laptop? There I’d disagree, because the Surface Book is actually more than one of the best laptops out today. You effortlessly detach that gorgeous display for a large tablet experience that no other laptop can give you. That truly is something.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 10/21/2015
Rating: Total score: 90%

Microsoft Surface Book Review
Source: Slashgear Archive.org version
For all the launch day excitement it caused, Surface Book will inevitably be a niche product. As the standard bearer for a new architecture of modular graphics, though, it may be in Microsoft's better interests in the long run if, Nexus-style, other OEMs see what's been done and experiment with the same approach themselves.
Comparison, online available, Medium, Date: 10/21/2015

70% Review: Microsoft Surface Book
Source: Wired Magazine Archive.org version
That’s why Microsoft played this one right. Rather than build a totally compromised device, a middling tablet mixed with a middling laptop, it built a kickass laptop and then sought to find ways it could add onto the experience. Even where they fall short, they don’t really matter. If you buy a Surface Book—and it’s very much worth considering—you might not ever find reasons to pull the screen off, or flip it over. You might not use the Surface Pen very much (though I bet you will), and you might not touch the screen often.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 10/21/2015
Rating: Total score: 70%

Microsoft Surface Book and Microsoft Surface Pro 4
Source: Tested Archive.org version
Norm's in New York this week for Microsoft's big Windows devices press event. We run through the announcements, including the new Lumia phones and HoloLens demo, and then go hands-on with the new Surface Pro 4 and Surface Book. These new laptops have pretty impressive design, and we can't wait to test them in the office.
Comparison, online available, Very Short, Date: 10/07/2015

Foreign Reviews

88% Microsoft Surface Book (Intel Core i5, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD, dGPU)
Source: Computerbild - Heft 21/2016
Single Review, , Length Unknown, Date: 10/01/2016
Rating: Total score: 88%

Microsoft Surface Book
Source: Notebooksbilliger Blog DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 07/20/2016

Review: Microsoft Surface Book im Test
Source: PocketPC DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 07/04/2016

Microsoft Surface Book
Source: PocketPC DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 06/04/2016

Microsoft Surface Book (Intel Core i5, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD, dGPU)
Source: c't - Heft 11/2016
Single Review, , Length Unknown, Date: 05/15/2016

66% Microsoft Surface Book Intel Core i5
Source: Konsument.at - Heft 06/2016
Single Review, , Length Unknown, Date: 05/01/2016
Rating: Total score: 66%

88% Microsoft Surface Book (Intel Core i5, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD)
Source: Stiftung Warentest - Heft 5/2016
Single Review, , Length Unknown, Date: 04/01/2016
Rating: Total score: 88%

90% Der ultimative Laptop?
Source: CNet Deutschland DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 03/31/2016
Rating: Total score: 90%

90% Das Surface Book Von Microsoft Im Praxistest
Source: Cyberbloc DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 03/15/2016
Rating: Total score: 90%

98% Microsoft Surface Book im Test: Windows-10-Gerät überzeugt in vielen Disziplinen
Source: Teltarif DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 03/02/2016
Rating: Total score: 98% features: 100% workmanship: 93% ergonomy: 95%

94% Microsoft Surface Book (Intel Core i5, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD, dGPU)
Source: Smartphone Magazin - Heft 4/2016
Single Review, , Length Unknown, Date: 03/01/2016
Rating: Total score: 94%

80% Microsoft Surface Book review: Is this the ultimate laptop?
Source: PC Praxis DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 02/19/2016
Rating: Total score: 80%

Luxus-Laptop mit drei Schwächen
Source: Der Standard DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 02/14/2016

85% Das perfekte Laptop?
Source: Tabtech DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 11/24/2015
Rating: Total score: 85% performance: 100% display: 100% mobility: 80% workmanship: 80% ergonomy: 80%

Surface Book recensione
Source: Confronto Tablet IT→EN Archive.org version
Positive: Good design; decent hardware; slim size and lightweight; excellent stylus pen. Negative: Relatively high price.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 07/12/2016

83% Microsoft Surface Pro 4
Source: Techzine NL→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 01/20/2016
Rating: Total score: 83% performance: 90% features: 80% display: 90% mobility: 75% workmanship: 85% ergonomy: 80%

80% Microsoft Surface Book
Source: CNet France FR→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 11/11/2015
Rating: Total score: 80%

Microsoft Surface Book – привилегия избранных
Source: Notebook-Center.ru RU→EN Archive.org version
Positive: Powerful hardware; long battery life; big screen; ergonomic keypad; excellent build quality Negative: Expensive.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 11/12/2015

Comment

Model: The Microsoft Surface Book is a serious game-changer. Encased in a magnesium frame, it is both stealth-looking and solidly built yet still thin and light enough for a daily laptop or even a tablet. It measures at 12.3 x 9.14 x 0.51 - 0.90 inch and weighs from 1.52 kg to around 1.6 kg with its keyboard (depending on configurations). One of the key features of the Surface Book includes its full-sized, backlit keyboard for fast and natural typing. The keyboard is detachable, ergo offering users the versatility of a tablet. The clever Muscle Wire hinge mechanism provides users with the flexibility of 4 modes of use. Under its hood, it is powered by the 6th Gen Intel Core i5-6300U dual core processor with an option of 8 GB or 16 GB RAM. This is paired with an Intel HD Graphics 520 or a Nvidia Geforce graphics card with 1 GB of DDR5 memory. This kind of setup offers the performance required of a creative powerhouse as the Core i5 allows users to organize and enhance photos with Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom. Storage options vary from PCIe3.0 solid state drives of 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB, or even 1 TB. Display-wise, the 13.5” PixelSense screen is 3000 x 2000 pixels (267 PPI) in resolution with 10 point multi-touch technology.

The Surface Pen, probably the most striking feature of this laptop, is digital inking brought to a whole new level as users will be capable of sketching and writing naturally on its screen. This feature has also got the approval of various artists who find the screen to be amazingly precise for drawing on. It is also equipped with a 1080p, 5MP front-facing camera and 8MP autofocus rear-facing camera. The front facing camera also provides biometric authentication security via Windows Hello 7 face sign-in. Not lacking is voice activation as it is supported with the personal digital assistant, Cortana. These dazzling technologies clearly propel the Surface Book’s ranking way above conventional laptops, even among the high-end ones as many are yet to adapt these new technologies supported by Windows 10 due to the additional hardware required for them to function.

Sound quality is crisp and clear as its stereo speakers are integrated with Dolby Audio Premium. Networking is supported by both WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity. Interface on the Surface Book consists of two full-size USB 3.0 ports, a full-size SD card reader, a SurfaceConnect port, a headset jack and a mini DisplayPort. The Surface Book comes preinstalled with the latest version of Windows 10 Pro. Battery life is equally impressive as Microsoft claims it is capable of up to 12 hours of video playback.

In all, the Surface Book is a powerful laptop yet is capable of being morphed into a fully-functional sleek tablet. All these make the Surface Book a solid contender against the 13” MacBook Pro. However, its biggest letdown is its very high selling price. With the i5 models priced higher than a basic Macbook Pro, it is really a matter of choice versus needs. For someone who needs the tablet functions with a touch screen, it could be a good choice but even so, there are many convertible choices out there such as the Hp Pavilion X2 and the Dell XPS 12 which are good enough for normal usage.

Hands-on article by Jagadisa Rajarathnam

Series:

Both the Microsoft Surface RT and the Surface Pro never really made it big and couldn't compete with its Android and iOs counterparts. A large reason for its low sales figures was due to the unpopularity of the tablet-notebook hybrid category itself. However it is important to note that the Surface Pro 2 is actually a full blown laptop acting as a hybrid. For a start, it comes with Windows 8.1 backed up with an Intel Core i5-4300U ultrabook class processor, 8GB of RAM and up to 512GB SSD. It looks and has the same dimensions as the first version making both their accessories compatible with each other. However, there's also the new optional Type Cover 2 which adds backlighting but is on the heavy side and is rather pricey.

The good thing about the surface is of course its ultra portability and undeniable performance. With its specs, it will quite likely outperform many other ultraportable laptops and hybrids. Also not to forget is the fact that it comes preinstalled with Windows 8.1 and has all the necessary built-in ports making it an actual laptop and not just a replacement. The primary I/O, the FHD screen is also accompanied with an included active stylus. The downside to all this is definitely the asking price for the tablet and detachable keyboard combination. There may be some serious competitors giving almost if not the same kind of specs for a lower price. Its kickstand, although improved, is still a letdown as it doesn't conveniently sit on a lap despite being a laptop. All in all, the Microsoft Surface Pro 2 is worthy laptop if budget is not an issue.

NVIDIA Maxwell GPU (940M, GDDR5): Mid-range dedicated graphics card based on the Maxwell GM108 chip. Basically a GeForce 940M with slightly altered clocks and faster GDDR5 graphics memory. The performance is slightly above the 940M but still below a 945M.

Modern games should be playable with these graphics cards at low settings and resolutions. Casual gamers may be happy with these cards.

» Further information can be found in our Comparison of Mobile Graphics Cards and the corresponding Benchmark List.

6300U: Skylake-based ULV dual-core processor for thin notebooks and ultrabooks. Offers an integrated HD Graphics 520 GPU and is manufactured in 14 nm.» Further information can be found in our Comparison of Mobile Processsors.

13.50":

There are hardly any tablets in this display size range anymore. For subnotebooks, on the other hand, it is the standard format.

The advantage of subnotebooks is that the entire laptop can be small and therefore easily portable. The smaller display also has the advantage of requiring less power, which further improves battery life and thus mobility. The disadvantage is that reading texts is more strenuous on the eyes. High resolutions are more likely to be found in standard laptops.

Microsoft:

Microsoft smartphones and tablets have been tested since 2012. There are many reviews with average ratings. The reader's interest is quite given, but the market share is not big enough for the Top 5 smartphone manufacturers (as of 2016).

83.82%: This rating is slightly above average, there are somewhat more devices with worse ratings. However, clear purchase recommendations look different.

» Further information can be found in our Notebook Purchase Guide.

Devices from a different Manufacturer and/or with a different CPU

Devices with Same Screen Size and/or Weight