Surface Book i7

The new Surface Book debuted today, I'm slightly interested in it, but it's expensive, and the refresh might be worth waiting for instead.

For 2,399+ you can pre-order a Surface Book with an undisclosed i7 - no mention of quad core, I'm guessing it's going to be a top of the line Dual Core (6th Gen btw, no mention of Kaby Lake refresh) with a major update to GPU in the form of GTX 965M Nvidia Graphics. I know the GTX 940MX GDDR5 Custom chip that powered the SB Dedicated ran warm... I wonder how this thing will cope with the added heat.

I was also hoping for a design where the hinge folded flat against the unit, but no deal. We may see some Q1/2 refreshes with Kaby Lake for the Surface Book, but I see myself still picking a top end Surface Pro 4 (5?) with the updated graphics.

Thoughts on this new unit? Seems odd they'd go for purposely 1 Gen old hardware while their refreshed versions are available... Looks like they're banking on Holiday sales from uneducated buyers on this round of hardware.

https://liliputing.com/2016/10/micr...ok-i7-longer-battery-life-better-gaphics.html

 

Actually it's likely a quad core. Probably not specified because its a 1st gen quad core U series processor. There were rumours it would happen and I think it has to be that for the 16 hour battery life.

Certain places like the verge (yes ik not a good source) was already reporting a quad, and if they are putting a 965m inside I doubt it'll be a dual core.

 

Gotta love it when new tech comes out.... I bought an i7 surface for my wife a little over a month ago. If I had known it was coming out with a 965m I definitely would have waited lol.

As for it being a quad core, in my opinion there's a chance it could actually still be a dual core processor. If I'm not mistaken, the current AW 13 can be configured up to a 965m GPU http://www.laptopmag.com/reviews/laptops/alienware-13 and that comes with an i7-6500U, albeit skylake.


Sent from my SM-N920T using Tapatalk

 

That doesn't have anything to do with the surface book though. The cpu is a new model, quad core U series have been rumored for a while, and a few different sources have been saying quad core.

The AW 13 is very outdated, no idea why a new surface book has a 965m.

 

Yes, it is a new model as you said with a kaby lake cpu. I also think it will be quad core U series based on the rumors going around. I was just pointing out that with a 965m, it doesn't necessarily have to be a "quad core", hence the reference to the "dual core" skylake AW13 with the 965m.


Sent from my SM-N920T using Tapatalk

 

Oh I guess. That's still a pretty gimped machine, quad cores are useful for a lot more than just gaming.

 

Oh my, hype. Was considering this for a companion machine and that just made me justify it a bit more. But like @Templesa said, I worry about how the thermals will be like.

I wonder if the GPU will be in the dock/keyboard... Microsoft pls.

 

It's a dual core, 15 watt CPU, same as the previous version.

 

Has there been any whisper of a hope of a prayer of a mention that they may make the new base available for current Surface Book owners [preferably with a trade in discount?]

Heck, I don't even really NEED it [though extra battery and GPU always helps] but it'd be a good gesture towards loyal MS customers.

Therefore, as much as I KNOW they'll never do it, I have to ask anyway ; )

 

Lisa, thank you for the new review of the upgraded Surface Book 2016 !!

Microsoft Surface Book i7 with Performance Base 2016 Review

MobileTechReview
Published on Nov 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 the price starts at $2,399 for the Core i7-6600U tablet with 8 gigs of RAM, a 256 gig PCIe NVMe SSD and NVIDIA GTX 965M graphics. The models introduced in 2015 are still available, this new offering simply sits above them in price, GPU performance and battery life.

The clipboard (tablet) section remains the same, but unfortunately, Microsoft won’t sell you a performance base separately if you wish to upgrade your existing Book. The 3.6 lb. laptop with detachable tablet has a dual core 15 watt Intel Skylake 6th generation CPU (same as earlier Surface Books), included N-Trig pen, Marvell Avastar dual band WiFi 802.11ac with Bluetooth, a 5MP Windows Hello front camera, 8MP rear camera, two USB 3.0 ports, an SD card slot, mini DisplayPort and an MS dock connector (again all the same as the original Book). Graphics performance doubles with the GTX 965M vs. the old 940M equivalent dGPU making video editing and light gaming more viable, and the laptop now has a total of 81 Whr battery capacity for long battery life."

 

You're welcome, and my pleasure

 

i really like her reviews!

 

Greetings all,

I ordered the i7 Surface Book with performance base and intend to use it with the Microsoft surface dock.

They imply the dock works with the Surface book series, but I have some concerns.

The Surface Book with performance base uses a 102 watt power supply the regular Surface Book that uses a 65 watt supply.

As we know computers can sense what power supply they are on and adjust charging current and performance.

I called Microsoft and talked to their Surface team, It took three people until I even found somebody that knew that the Surface Book, with performance base used a bigger power supply.

Their usual answer, after consulting their computers was, “it will work”. Well I agree that the dock itself will most likely work, but I doubt it will run the computer and charge the batteries on a 65 watt power supply.

I had them transfer me to a technician, who after explaining my concerns, did understand that there indeed was a discrepancy. between the dock power supply and needs of the Surface Book with performance base, but had no answer.

So I asked to talk to a supervisor. After a 55 minute wait I talk to a lady that had been briefed on my situation. “ Yes, we are aware of this situation”, I asked when will a dock designed to work with the Surface Book, with performance base will be released? She said, “ there are no plans for that at this point”. She promptly followed up with “ Thank you for bring this to our attention” …. In other words we are done here.

Congratulations Microsoft your support team achieved genius status.



So here are my thoughts…

I suspect the dock will works fine as far as its port distribution functions.

If the computer is fully charged up, it probably will work fine.

If the batteries are low, it will probably Slow charge.

Since the processor and GPU are scalable, I can’t even guess if it will go into a power saving mode that will impact performance.



Can anyone offer opinions or even better practical experience?



Thanks

Mark

 

Mark,

The Surface Dock comes with a 90 watt power supply, so your Surface Book will only have to make do with 12 watt less. I don't expect that would effect performance, and when the Book isn't using the dGPU it consumes considerably less power.

 

Lisa,
Thanks for the quick response,
90 watts should be close enough. I will be using it for parametric modeling and rendering, so expect the GPU to be sucking up the juice.
I guess I'll go ahead and try one at this point.

Thanks again,
Mark.

 

Can you plug in the new power supply to the dock? Unless it's not going to use the added power - limiting - it should just pass it through to the laptop. Hopefully they are the same connector.

 

It is not the same connector. It's s simple barrel connector.

 

Its lisa!

 

I'm a veteran lurker and sometimes poster hehe.

 

We've literally watched like 75% of your videos in the last 2 or 3 weeks as we laptop shop. Your reviews are great!

 

Microsoft customer service hints at Surface Book Trade-in Program to Fix ongoing Issues
http://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/microsoft-surface-book-trade-in-program-might-be-planned/

"A recent technical support discussion by the owner of the first-generation Surface Book indicates that Microsoft could be considering a trade-in program to the new generation Surface Book with Performance Base that was introduced in October. Certainly, it’s conceivable that the new Surface Books implement updated components that address issues with the earlier machines and enabling a trade-in program would be one way to best serve Microsoft customers."

"If you are a Surface Book owner, then you will likely want to keep your eyes open for news directly from Microsoft. Contacting a Microsoft Store might be another avenue for learning if such a trade-in program is in the works. If you’re suffering from any of the more common Surface Book issues, then chances are you are already well-acquainted with Microsoft’s technical support process."

 

I trust that just as much as the $200 battery replacement program.