When Microsoft released the first Surface Book, responses were mixed, as some users and critics pointed out that the device felt somewhat unfinished in some areas. Still, it was a good entry point into this area of the market, and many people are expecting the Surface Book 2 to get everything right this time. We don’t have any official information on the device’s specifications – though there is no shortage of rumors – but many people are actively discussing the possible improvements that Microsoft could introduce in this release.
Reports about the changes in the design of the Surface Book 2 imply that Microsoft have not only been working on the hardware that powers the device, but also on its exterior, and they’ve apparently come up with some sleek improvements that make the overall experience much more comfortable. For example, there were many negative comments about the design of the hinge in the first Surface Book, and it’s likely that this has been addressed in the new version.
There are also comments claiming that Microsoft have made the design of the Surface Book 2 slimmer and more compact, although it’s hard to imagine a serious improvement in this regard considering the first edition already did this pretty well.
Needless to say, the hardware of the notebook will be significantly improved too, with some rumors talking about a very high-resolution screen and advanced portability options. The last part possibly implies good power saving capabilities, but there are multiple possible interpretations, so we’ll have to see what it really means.
Some critics are also pointing out that Microsoft are in an even more difficult position with the release of the Surface Book 2, as the market has changed significantly since the release of the first device, and that particular niche is much more competitive now. Apple in particular are going to be a serious problem for Microsoft if they want to establish a solid position in that market, but on the other hand the Redmond giant has always had the upper hand with personal computers.
It’ll also be interesting to see how the recent changes in Windows 10 will play into the performance of the new device. Microsoft have introduced many improvements to the operating system, and some of them have been aimed at making the experience more comfortable and streamlined on portable devices. The “Anniversary Update” has been received very well by fans so far, and we expect that it will also play a major role in the new Surface Book, whenever it comes out.
Obviously, we’re also going to see all the previous improvements that were released for Windows along the way, and Microsoft have actually done quite a lot to make the operating system more usable since it came out. Combined with the right hardware configuration, this device could be a serious entry on the market, and it could bring a lot of attention on Microsoft again.
Other rumors about the device claim that Microsoft could also be developing it in a way that makes it a better integrated experience with their other devices, possibly preparing a major overhaul of the Surface line. There have been talks about a Surface Phone for quite a while now, and it looks like it could be the successor to the current Lumia line of smartphones which the company inherited from Nokia, and if that happens, this would be the perfect opportunity for Microsoft to make that device work together with the Surface Book 2.