Hands on with the Microsoft Surface 2 laptop: still a great laptop, now without Windows 10 S

With the Microsoft Surface Laptop, Microsoft has used Windows 10 S as a tool to maximize the battery life of the laptop. Now, the Microsoft Surface Laptop 2 has arrived, with a more powerful 8th generation Intel Core chip. But one thing is missing: Windows 10 S.

Performance is the name of the game this time, and Microsoft says that the Surface laptop is up to 85% faster, thanks in part to the new Core 8th generation processors that power it. The life of the battery is also impressive, at 14.5 hours. Naturally, this is a feature we are eager to test.

Functionally, the Surface Laptop 2 seems to be exactly the same as its predecessor, both in size and weight. As with Surface Pro 6, Microsoft has separated business and professional customers, but the difference is more pronounced with the Surface Laptop. Microsoft claims that the base price of the consumer model is $ 999, although the only obvious way to buy it is to use an "Essentials bundle" that includes an Office 365 subscription.

Mark Hachman / IDG

Here are the basic specifications of the Surface Laptop 2. Keep in mind that they are essentially unchanged from the first-generation Laptop Surface.

• Display: PixelSense multi-touch 13.5 inches (2256×1504, 201 ppi)
• Processor: Core i5 8250U / i7-8650U (consumer) Core i5 8350U / 8650U (commerce)
• Graphic: Intel UHD 620
• Memory: 8 GB or 16 GB
• Storage room: 256 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB or 1 TB SSD
• ports: USB 3.0 Type A, Surface Connection, MiniDisplayPort, Headphone Jack
• Cameras: 720p (before, Windows Hello compatible)
• Wireless: 802.11a / b / g / n / ac; Bluetooth 4.1
• Operating system: Windows 10 Home (consumer) / Windows 10 Pro (enterprise)
• Colors: Black, cobalt blue, burgundy, platinum
• Accessories: Surface pen ($ 99)
• Dimensions: 12.13 x 8.79 x 0.57 inches; 2.76-2.83 pounds
• Price: Starts at $ 999

The Surface Laptop 2 is wrapped in the Alcantara fabric that Microsoft has adopted for the Surface Laptop as well as in the Signature type covers of the Surface Pro 6. It's smooth under the palms and a little more confused elsewhere. It is sometimes surprising to note the abundance of Surface Laptop and Surface Laptop 2 surfaces, although they are robust and almost all in flexion.

Mark Hachman / IDG

Naturally, they are much more "lappable" than Surface Pro tablets, which have no hinges. The only improvement I wish Microsoft would be the possibility of tilting the laptop completely flat. It always stops at around 135 degrees.

The Microsoft touchpad has the same effect as the keyboard, which is comfortably elastic. The layout looks identical to that of the original laptop, as well as that of the Surface Pro tablet.

Clearly, however, the most substantial improvements are under the hood. We have not had the chance to test the performance of the Surface Laptop 2, even if numbers like "85% faster" resonate in our ears, we can not wait to review them. The life of the battery is also worth seeing.

Mark Hachman / IDG

But what we did not expect to see was that Microsoft dropped Windows 10 S so quickly, partly because it gave the battery of the first generation of laptops excellent battery life. But that's definitely gone: when we asked questions about it, Microsoft officials categorically stated that "Surface Laptop 2 comes with Windows 10 Home."

What does it mean? We would like to think that Microsoft did it for convenience, because switching took a few seconds and it's free anyway. Curiously, however, we miss it a bit. (The Surface Go is always shipped with Windows 10 enabled in S mode, but without a thick battery.) If Windows 10 S prevented you from buying a Surface laptop, you probably will not miss it on this computer.

Mark Hachman / IDG

A note on the purchase

Unfortunately, Microsoft seems determined to separate business customers from consumers, with different shopping sites. If you are a consumer and want to configure a Surface Laptop 2, you can use the pre-order link from Microsoft.Delete non-product link. But if you want a slightly more powerful processor and an extended commercial warranty, you can buy a Surface Laptop 2 for Business laptop.Delete non-product link instead.

For consumers interested in the basic option at $ 999 (Core i5, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD), the only way to pre-order through Essentials kitsDelete non-product link link, which offers the price of 999 USD but also requires you to buy an Office 365 subscription (minimum of 49 USD per year). Hopefully, Microsoft offers a more consumer-friendly solution or at least allows you to purchase the base model directly from the consumer link. Aside from such a rigmarole, the Surface Laptop 2 seems worth it.