While there have been reports before the Microsoft event on October 26 that the next iteration of the company’s ultimate laptop line, the Surface Book, might be unveiled during the event along with the Surface Pro 5, it did not happen.
The only thing that happened during the event was the release of the latest update to Windows 10 and the unveiling of the hybrid Surface Book i7.
The hybrid Surface Book i7 is not as powerful as the rumored specifications, features, and capabilities of the Microsoft Surface Book 2 but it is certainly more than adequate to match up against the 2016 Apple MacBook Pro, which the American tech giant officially rolled out on October 27.
If any, one positive thing that the hybrid Surface Book i7 did for the highly-anticipating fans of the Microsoft Surface Book 2 was to quench their thirst for the second iteration of the ultimate laptop line from the Redmondian company.
Possible push back imminent
However, some critics believe that the recent release of the hybrid Surface Book i7 might have pushed the release date of the Microsoft Surface Book 2 on the retail market.
Accordingly, the Redmondian company would not field two similar products in the market at the same time since the Surface Book 2 would come off as a high-end variant of the hybrid Surface Book i7.
But the two laptop lines would surely compete for the same market that also has the presence of the 2016 Apple MacBook Pro.
As such, there are now talks that the release date of the Microsoft Surface Book 2 might be pushed back as far as 2018 since the demand for the original and the recently released hybrid Surface Book i7 remains high, notes Tech Radar.
There are also rumors saying that Microsoft Surface Book 2 would come out early next year along with the Microsoft Surface Pro 5 since both devices shall be using the latest processor from Intel called Kaby Lake.
To come with the most powerful processor from Intel
As the next iteration of the 2-in-1 hybrid laptop/tablet, the Microsoft Surface Book 2 showcases some of the latest technologies.
The Microsoft Surface Book 2 is expected to feature 4K resolution with 4K video and 3D graphics playback capability. Its battery may provide a running time of up to 16 hours, details Game & Guide.
It can be recalled that the original device and the hybrid Surface Book i7 featured an Intel Core i7 processor so the Microsoft Surface Book 2 is expected to be faster and more powerful with its new chipset. It can improve graphic performance by 100% due to the 14-nanometer technology, which enhances the chipset by 12% compared to the Intel Skylake or the Intel Core i7 processors.
The Microsoft Surface Book 2 is expected to have a 13.5-inch PixelSense display with a pixel resolution of 3000 x 2000 at 267 ppi. The device may include two full-size USB 3.0 ports, a full-size SD card reader, a mini display port and a headphone jack.
The device may also feature a GeForce GTX 965M or GTX 1080 GPU, supported by an extra fan.
Microsoft Surface Book 2 is said to arrive with a Surface Pen. There may also be a built-in dock to recharge the accessory.
The exterior appearance of the ultimate laptop will most likely remain the same, which means that Microsoft will be focusing on the internal components of the new version. Microsoft may also push the Xbox Play Anywhere program via the Microsoft Surface Book 2.
The Microsoft Surface Book 2 has been previously rumored to come out last month along with the Surface Pro 5. But that did not happen.