Microsoft may appear to be more focused on its software these days, but the Surface Laptop 2 suggests the firm still has plenty to say when it comes to hardware.
The new laptop has been given a significant power boost and new look to stand out from its predecessor, but, crucially, also when placed alongside Apple’s best Mac offerings.
So how does the Surface Laptop 2 stand up as a top-of-the-range device?
Design
Microsoft laptops and tablets have been well-made for some time, but the Surface Laptop 2 feels like a big step forward.
The new black finish is incredibly stylish for any angle, and the metallic look makes the device resemble a single block of aluminium or steel.
It’s a mix of curves and blunt edges that has hints of a stealth fighter.
Open the lid and things remain eye-catching – Microsoft has put its Alcantara material on the base around the keyboard, giving a unique, soft feel to the lower half of the device.
It’s not for everyone, and though it is wipe-clean you can’t help but be worried about stains and marks from the evitable eating and drinking over it that many of us can’t help but do when working.
The keys are comfortable to use too, not sitting too high in the keyboard or making too much noise when pressed.
The 13.5-inch display is plenty big enough for any work or play you want to undertake with it, and its touchscreen-enabled as well, giving the option to get right into the screen if necessary.
It’s also not too heavy – weighty enough to give the premium reassurance you want from a robust laptop, but still light enough to slip into your bag and take with you without a second thought about bulk.
Performance
Alongside the sharp looks of the Laptop 2, this device is big on offering premium performance.
Microsoft says the Laptop 2 is 85% faster than its predecessor. It is certainly responsive, with apps and windows opening and closing quickly. Jumping between windows and programs is sharp and smooth, and the laptop has no issues with handling several power-hungry tasks at once.
Windows Hello, the facial recognition feature that unlocks the device using face biometrics is very quick too – before you’ve truly noticed it, the laptop is ready to go.
It can also do the recognition from an impressive range of viewing angles, you don’t always have to be perfectly placed in front of it.
The versatility of touchscreen support alongside traditional keyboard interaction is good to have as well – the Laptop 2 also supports a tablet mode to offer a more intuitive touchscreen experience.
It gives the laptop a wider range of use cases, helping to better justify the £979 starting price.
On the downside, the glass touchpad can be a little temperamental, misunderstanding attempted left or right clicks on some occasions.
Though this may be partly down to a feature in Windows that automatically recognises clicks in the bottom right corner of the trackpad as right clicks. A warning: this is on by default – but can be turned off in the settings.
Unlike the keyboard however, the trackpad does come with quite a loud clicking sound when press – perhaps something to bear in mind if you’re planning to work in a quiet place.
A big part of Microsoft’s sales pitch for the Laptop 2 has been around battery life, which it says will last up to 14-and-a-half hours on a single charge. Throughout testing, the device has lived up to this billing, comfortably lasting a day of use, with a little to spare too.
Verdict
The Surface Laptop 2 is a fantastic-looking laptop that has been given a power and performance boost to enable it to rival the very best on the market.
It is the best laptop Microsoft has ever made – and even with the Alcantara material keyboard base which won’t be to everyone’s taste it is still a fine piece of tech.
Windows users looking for a new high-end laptop need look no further.
