Microsoft hints at a Black Surface Book 2 in PR video

An Intel video promoting its 8th-gen Core processors appears to have teased a previously unseen Microsoft Surface Book model in black. Even more tantalizingly, the tag line for video is “Designed for what’s next,” which could further hint that a Black Surface Book 2 powered by an 8th-generation Core processor is just around the corner.  As the focus of the Intel video is on what a user can do with a device fitted with an 8th-gen Core processor, there are no shots of any silicon. As such, the notebook in the clip does become something of a focus and viewers have been quick to spot the intriguing hardware on display.

A close inspection of the device in the video confirms that it is not just a generic notebook, but indeed bears a distinctively Surface Book-like design. The only shot missing from the clip that would confirm this incontrovertibly is the absence of any frame showing the Windows logo on the rear of the device. Clearly evident in the Intel promotional video is the Surface Book’s signature Dynamic Fulcrum Hinge, which immediately sets the notebook in the clip apart from any other on the market. The display also appears to be detachable, just as it is on the current Surface Book. The clip does mention support for 4K monitors, so that would be a nice upgrade over the 3K display in the current Surface Book.

For users hoping that Microsoft will finally integrate USB Type-C ports on one of its Surface notebooks, the clip does not bode well. In fact, in one shot, the Black Surface Book shown in the clip clearly retains two USB Type-A ports on the left-hand side of the device (albeit likely with USB 3.0 support as a minimum). In the current Surface Book models, the right-hand side of the notebook integrates a Mini DisplayPort, so there may still be hope that Microsoft could opt to upgrade this port to a USB-C port. Unfortunately, that side of the device doesn’t make an appearance in the video. We wouldn’t hold our breath, however, as Microsoft made a deliberate point of omitting the port on its new Surface Laptop arguing that it is not yet in widespread use.

With Microsoft expected to reveal a Surface Book 2 in October, it seems highly likely that we will see a refreshed Surface Book officially revealed with an 8th-gen Intel Core processor. The only question is whether we will see one in black as teased in this video? Or it could be that Intel simply decided to mess with our heads in order to help make its video go viral?

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