Surface Book 2 in 2022 | Why I Regret It | 4 Years Later 

You're the only person I've heard say the Surface Book design looks old. Everyone was surprised when I'd tell them my Surface Book 1 was 7 years old (in 2021/2022)

When the battery is no longer good, the computer cannot be started with the power cable connected. Pretty bad.

Just bought one for 350€ the 13 inch version for my gf and so far she's really enjoying it, great display, great speakers and build, decent keyboard, and for light use it's more than enough

I am using my SB2 for the last 4 years and am pretty much happy with it, I do have the tablet attach - detach issue but very occasionally (say abt 1-2 times a year). My only regret is that I went for the 8 GB Ram model at the time, and now it's running out of RAM while working on multiple apps simultaneously. Not possible to increase the RAM, It's pretty shame to part from it and go for a new laptop. Wouldn't have minded getting a new SB if MS had got one, but they have discontinued SB after SB3.

I got my surface book 2, 2 years ago and it’s working pretty good. I mainly got it as a cost effective way to animate. So I’d usually use it with the screen connected to the base but flipped. They only problem I find is that when the surface book heats up it becomes quite uncomfortable to draw. I also use it with pretty hefty programs including a lot of Adobe software, Maya, and Harmony. I’ve never really ran into the issue of having programs crash mainly cause I always close anything I’m not currently using. Also I have a second monitor hooked up to the surface quite often so I have a duel screen. This pushed the surface a lot definitely. This is not considering the face that I don’t really take it outside, I have an iPad for portable drawing and stuff. So my experiences may not apply to everyone.

Thank you for this video!! Most reviewers never mention stuff like that and just read the damn spec list and call it a review. These real experiences are what tells you whether it's a good buy or not

I still love my surface book 2 15" handles all my task with ease. Disappointed they're discontinuing the line

Thanks for the review. I was looking at getting a used set as the prices are very low, lower than even the XPS 9575. But now I know why.

Surface Lap Studio has replaced the Surface Book and MS won't be making them anymore...

Thanks for the video. However, I still enjoy using my Surface book 2 because it is still nice and I truly do realize it is an older laptop. In my opinion, the electronic devices/laptops you're looking at today may be impressive, but complaints with come years later about them as well.

Agreed, the keyboard/base constantly disconnecting from USB's are definitely the most frustrating thing about this "premium" laptop. It even does this with the Surface Dock which renders the whole dock useless and which isn't cheap either.

I feel like on one hand this is fair, but on the other hand you're talking about a 4 year old laptop. Literally any laptop at all would have problems 4 years later, too

I think one of the reasons why other companies don't do what microsoft did with surface book series is the longevity of modular components. I'm glad to know that you have had it last you 4 years but based on your video last year, you really seemed to like it until these problems...surfaced....and that's a shame. It's still a great laptop even when compared to other offerings in 2021. Thankfully my surface book 2 isn't having any issues and the power drain/not hibernatin issues are finally solved a few months ago, making it a great laptop again, but I 100% agree with you. I think the surface laptop series might be a laptop if considering longevity when compared to the surface books.

Thanks for the retrospective video, I just got a used 15" model with a 1060 and this was very helpful in making my purchase decision

I recently bought from a friend the SB2 without the nvidia base, I mean, the regular one. Some considerations: 1) the battery is still very good, almost 7 hours straight with power saver and airplane mode; 2) the screen is surprisingly light and totally useful as a tablet, but battery in this case can only stand for 2,5h; 3) the silver paint over the black magnesium tends to lose its quality and can't resist to scratches (like most of the USB ports are getting black); 4) the screen resolution is fantastic; 5) and the sound is very good for a Windows Laptop. Also, since the 7th Gen has tpm 2.0, you can upgrade to W11 but you have to follow some unofficial steps for it. And let me tell you... Worth it a lot!

I've used all 3 versions of the Surface Book 3 and while I loved the device, all 3 had quirks that never got resolved. I was hesitant on the Surface Laptop Studio but I got the i7, 1TB, 32GB model and I totally love this device.

Great video. I would say 4 years of use with being mostly happy is pretty darn good. Iam looking at picking up a sb3. It would fit my need for combo tablet and laptop. Will do some light gaming. Anyways, how was the fan noise?

I feel fortunate! Mine still running strong with no problems! Windows 11, i7, 16gb, 1TB version. I really didn't expect this to last this long, especially with none of the problems I was hearing about this model 3 years ago even!

Honestly, I HATE my Surface Book 2. The worst purchase I've ever had at the price point. I'm having so many issues with the detachment and graphics card not being detected.

there's a fix for the "auto detaching" issue. I had the same on my SB1 and removing the metal strip from in-between the tablet and base fixed the issue. The strip is glued to the base. Check to see if maybe it's a bit "inflated/bent to the outside" around the base connectors cause the glue they used is awful and it just gives up after a few years. There's a smaller strip around the connectors on the tablet also and removing/cleaning that one will also help for a while. Haven't had auto-detachment issues on the SB2 15" yet but the screen has really awful image retention problems...

I am happy I got it in 2018 because it was great for college but since then I’ve learned so much more about PC’s and I realize just how crazy the price I paid for it was. I opted for the 2 year warranty and thank god I did because I replaced it twice now. My first one had massive issues with thermal throttling and qualified for replacement. My second one blew a considerable amount of ashes and soot out of the fans from the inside of the base but still worked fine… obviously that was concerning so i replaced that as well. I am now out of warranty now so I’m on my own but this 3rd one hasn’t had any major issues aside from failing battery life. It’s also been replaced by a desktop so it only is used while traveling now.

I have been using my surface book 1 since 2017, over 5 years. As a field engineer's daily driver it has withstood drops, water spills, the Florida heat and humidity, and very light rain. Only one month ago it started to show its age with some ghost touch inputs just above the start menu. The rubber feet did start releasing from the the bottom in the beginning of 2021. I'm very disappointed that I won't be able to replace it with a surface book 4.

just a note only problem i had was battery life as for the unlock screen problem turn programs that don't need the nvidia card to only use internal graphics then undocking problem disappears, try to keep the dock and screen contacts clean

Love the video, very useful information thanks man

imagine the attaching and unattaching problem happening while you are preaching at church.... happened to me twice, however still a very good laptop. Great input on your thoughts towards the laptop, and lovely editing.

I can relate to the comments in this video for sure! The reason why I am even here is because I been looking for a way to elevate my performance as much as possible because I didn't have the issue before, but it not letting me able to properly work on my videos and stop motions animations like it used to. Even with the higher performance setting and the GeForce downloaded. It's been difficult to work on my portfolio and it sucks that I have to say, it just can't keep up with high performance apps anymore. If that's what to you do in your day-to-day (such as using Adobe Creative Suite), I would suggest to stay away as well.

I kinda loved it at first but I barely used it...it's almost mint...mostly because it has no space at all and I'm considering opening it up for a ssd upgrade...I don't know what I was thinking picking something with a tiny hard drive. 😔

I also rarely detached it. I have the pen and it's mostly it's a expensive momento because I never got around to using it. I had an issue with the SD slot so I added a hub for additional space. I got it for graphic design but it's too small for Photoshop and friends. Now I'm thinking of using it for gaming. Though it was the most expensive thing I've brought besides cars, even more that my newer homebuilt gaming PC.

i've been using mine sb2 15 inch for 3 years now. I replaced the first one with a refurbished for an image retention problem, and this one after one got the same problem. i also have small problem on my left speaker and by two month now che charger works only in one direction and makes the usb c unusable. i'm an illustrator and i must say the pen is ok ... but for more precise and pro work i still have to connect my wacom, the surface pen line is wobbly, it make some shost marks whie drawig and the screen can get very hot while drawing, expecially in summer and is almost unusable. I'm still wondering if i should update to windows 11, but i think i'll wait some more time, ANy way is still very good machine, but i think microsofto should really level up his hardware for the price is been sold. now i don't know if replace it with a refurbished one, trying to repair it, sell it , or keep using as long as i can. Thanks for your video :D

2073- iPhone 14 pro max: why I regret it 50 years later

I like mine but the biggest problem for me is that internet download upload speed maximum is only 100/100. Very slow compared to my MAC and other laptop. Love the design though and the screen resolution. Will keep it.

I can't find any sim card on my Surface Book 2. So it's either wifi, wifi via a hotspot, or no internet?

I bought mine second hand and had similar problems with the connection between the screen and the base. Try cleaning both connectors (screen and base) with IPA. I'm using it daily for over half a year, often in studio mode and the issue never appeared.

Thanks for the Video, Actually thought of buying a SB2 used laptop with i7/16/1TB for 420USD without Nvidia, just curious to know whether i7/16/1TB comes without Nvidia or issue with nvidia not detecting ? any advise?

I love this laptop for work. It’s portable and just feels nice to me. Easy to carry in my backpack with my clothes when I travel

I'm considering getting a book 2 for the stage, showing music and lyrics, because it's 15". Let me know if anyone knows of any alternatives...

SB was the best laptop I've even owned, especially with the Nvidia base, but it's too pricey. Looking into a surface laptop. I'll miss the detachable screen, and also the ability to put it on the base backwards so that the screen faces out when folded, that's great for drawing. The only reason I'm replacing it is because it's developed connection issues and the keyboard keeps detaching.

Thank you , i am going to buy one brand new like 1100 d from China, but after seeing ur vid i kind of changed my mind, may i know wjat else model u recommand?

my SB2 is quite good. I have a variety of tasks ranging from note taking, sketching, CAD, video editing, gaming, and typing. My devices does not seem to show any issues, but i have been careful with the hinge. I only regret that my storage is 250gb, ( and SD card storage is not convenient for me) You know, if microsoft made the device more repairable and replaceable, you could replace parts to fix the detaching docking issue ( it is probably the connector getting worn )

I've both the 2 & 3. There was a time when we had those issues, but a couple of updates later it went away. Detach / attach is a lot faster & secure with book 3. But the lack of powerful CPU is it's Achilles heel hence laptop studio ...

almost all these things happened to me.... it is a relief knowing i am not the only one

Found this site while researching the idiot problem I have with mine, which is the touch screen with a finger or pen no longer works with zoom

Mine is dead, battery gone, only able turn on then its plug in. I had issue with the screen-removing feature after 2years (note: I didnt use that feature often at all).

Have you tryed to clean connectors ? Thats solved the problem for me. In general when you are saing that you took well care of the device, im afraid to see the laptops that you didnt. Regardless, the book series were made more for engeers and they do a great job there. While for students, this device is an absurd overkill in my opinion.

True, everything you said also happened to me. Also just now battery in my base died, so I have to repair it and it is crazy expensive.

After 4 years, my current SB1 trackpad just came off lol

I wish I could somehow use my Surface Book 2 as an extended monitor for my main PC. I am no longer studying at uni and find less of a need for my laptop. Although an increasing need to have access of the touch screen/pen.

The issue with the surface book disconnecting isn't a hardware or software issue. You need to disconnect the screen, using an alcohol prep pad, clean all the connections between the tablet and the keyboard. Clean the ports on the tablet side too and then put it back together. Problem solved. After you do that, install Linux because Windows 11 sucks.

Mine's still work perfect. I use it for djing and software development. I've even dropped mine's at least 3x on tile floor, and it still works perfect. Best laptop I've ever owned.

Ive had my surface book 2 for 4-5 years now. The tech support at my college is in love with my refresh rate (my school kinda has a cult mentality with only using macs) I have played elden ring on it, im able to run adobe illustrator, photoshop, indesign and 50 web tabs without a sign of decreasing performance. It has been amazing. Things I've been anxious about lately, the docking issue as stated in the video. I just dont undock anymore. The screen gets very hot and has given me 1st degree burns while drawing on it and ive been experiencing white burn-in. To hopefully help it last longer I invested in a asus pro art monitor which so far so good. If this laptop kicks the bucket soon idk what id go to. Im thinking a zenbook or hp omen or something

Currently my 5th year with SB2. All the nagging issues of the past I can live with. Year 5 was the first time I've ever experienced the Black Screen of Death. Luckily, everything I do is stored in cloud, in the face of this reality. Also a sign to deprecate the device from daily use. Recommend SP11 if you can swing it. I'm regards to sleep mode, I go the windows start menu route (never fails), and the battery drain can be resolved by a known hack to Disable fast startup (applies to all Surface but SB even more so). Hope this helps the longevity of your experience.

Got the same model but I'm having driver issues with the Surface DTX and Surface Serial Hub Driver. I tried everything that could be done and zi just give up. Anyone got any ideas?

Relate very hard to this!! The disconnecting, the extremely hot backpack. It's a shame though cos I actually do enjoy detaching and using a large and light tablet to watch / read in bed. The Laptop Studio is heavier than the surface books and non-detachable so I can't imagine holding it like a tablet in the same way. If they brought out a Surface Book 4 with none of the connection problems I'd love that but maybe the engineering challenges are just too complex.

is it still heavy? I'm using a ThinkPad T14, T14 is heavy for me.

I own a Surface Book 2 (15" w/ GTX1060 and 1TB) and it is a fine lookin' machine; it's a shame that Microsoft was trying to do too much with it. I really liked the detachable display, but there were times that the screen got way too hot to be usable anyway. I still have mine in really great condition but I ended up moving to a dedicated laptop (and MacOS) because the whole detachable/attachable issue was driving me crazy.

Screen retention, small crack in screen, multiple cracks in the housing, loose fan, charger that makes the entire laptop static (3th charger)

Thanks for the video ❤️

Thanks for such a helpful review! I'm looking at refurb machines and reviews like these are so useful, so let me see if I can be helpful to you too: that thing about the laptop getting really hot and the battery draining to nothing has been discussed in a Linus Tech Tips video here: [see reply] it's not a surface book thing, but it's a windows problem, something called "Windows Modern Standby". More detail and some potential fixes in that video

I still have my surface book 1. No issues, though I don't ever ready use it as a table. But I use it for 40-50 hours per week and no issue.

What about the surface book 3. I heard they fixed alot of the problems mentioned in this video

Nice, still going strong, my 15" 1TB How many more years should we use it for or could we use it for ❓ PLEASE don't add music background when you Talk

I got this book 4 yrs back and still it’s kicking well, but I guess my usage is not too graphic intensive. I use it more for Orcad capture, p spice , embedded C, Matlab, Xilinx, cadence etc

I got a sb1 from work years ago and now im going to uni and i really wish i could take it, but by today's standards...its heavy and the battery has really worn down as well as the charging brick gets really hot. It would cost like £200 to replace the battery in a shop and thats almost 1/4th of the price of a surface pro or any other 2in1.

Surface book 1 dont have this disconnecting problem.. was about to change mine to 2.. saw a good deal at marketplace.. huhu. So u wont recommend this?

I have had a SB2 for four years. Great laptop when it works. I have worked with the laptop for 3 straight hours, rested it for an hour only to come back and find that the tablet no longer is recognized by the base. Usually this problem clears itself up in five minutes. I have cleaned the contacts with alcohol without positive results. I will try suggestions that I have read shared in these comments. I have never had any heat or battery issues.

I have a Book2 for 4 years now and using it daily as PC or tablet or laptop. I don't see any of the mechanical issues and the hardware things (docking and closing problems) are gone since Win10 fall update in 2019 or so. I've always used Win insider chanel developer preview versions, so maybe it's that? Tip for good measure: Keep your OS clean.

mine is so slow now and i dont know why because i dont do anything crazy on it

Warm for me in the bag, i realised the switch button is exposed it was supposed to be a bit hidden, so it easily switches ON while its in the bag when you do place it facing up 😄 🤣 one day i found it toasty lol

My laptop has had all these issues and now the keyboard has died all together, even though the screen works just fine. What computer would you go to next, anything but apple with similar if not better specks?? I loved this laptop. Nothing else feels as sophisticated when using it. Send help 😣 😣

Bruh my laptop lags with playing minecraft how do I fix that??

Hey, I just got my used surface book, since I'm on a budget, and I love it. Can you tell me more about your use of it for more demanding tasks? Today I tried gaming for a little bit (even though I got it for work/studying), and the performance was quite stuttery. How do you use it for games, do you play with the charger plugged in? Do you set it to max performance in the battery menu? These are dumb questions but I'm not really a game or computer guy :D

Appreciate your opinions and experiences. I just ordered a 😮Book 2 13.5" Core i7 16GB 1TB , hopefully it will function adequately for me. I plan to use it for Amateur Radio related Windows software. It weighs much less than my old HP Laptop definitely an advantage. Steve AA4SH

I have had my surface book for about 6 years now, it has been a great friend for me throughout my degree. My only regret is that I didn't buy my surface book 2 with better specs(I have 8gb, i7, 256gb) as it would have lasted me a bit longer, as I am unable to use it with my vr headset, or for some hardcore gaming, but it still runs games like miles morales spiderman.

Does this laptop worth it now?

My surface book 2 lasts all the battery when it is off (yes off, not in modern standby) in about a week. It was a problem not solved by microsoft, I think it is an hardware problem.

Do you think 400 for the i5 with the base keyboard (not graphics) second hand is worth it?

Surface Book 2 in 2023/2024?

Does detach have usb or usbc??

I regret getting a laptop with a detach feature. Whenever I move the laptop screen, it switches to tablet mode and then back to laptop mode. Pain in the ass. And yes, you're correct about the laptop and battery turning on. Really great when you're going through TSA and discover your laptop has heated up big time.

Does it get overheating?b

Got scammed by my University 4 years ago into getting this laptop because they said it was necessary to run our engineering software. The first thing I noticed about this piece of shit was it couldn't run even the older games my Xbox 360 could pull off easily. I've used it for plenty of projects and coding binges in the years since, where having it freeze up on me was pretty regular. I'm finally getting a better work computer soon and plan to sell this thing immediately.

I'm looking at getting one of these because the price is a 1/3 now for my small business and also for doing artwork. My main concern is the weight. I love the idea of the detachable screen because it would make it easier to draw on. Still, I was wondering what it would be like in laptop form sitting on the couch or using it on non-flat surfaces because all the weight would probably be on the hinges/magnets and also the point of it disconnecting from the keyboard issue. Can anyone make a comment on this sort of situation?? tia

Great video! I was gonna get a surface book 3 and decided to hold off!

Have the same issues with SB1

Just bought a used one for $130 and might attempt to upgrade the SSD for gaming...

Got mine with the 1050 hardly ever used for free. Gonna buy a pen for it and use it as a digital art platform. Gaming is done on a PC.

As on owner of Surface Book 1 with Performance Base 965m, Surface Book 2 with GTX 1050, and a Surface Book 3 with RTX 3000 (15") never had a single issue. Paired with the correct acccessories, the Surface Book series is to date my favorite portable windows based device. Just wish a Surface Book 4 was in the works. I do not belive this device was designed to be ruggedized, for that, grab a ThinkPad.

Performance on battery is unacceptable in 2022. Stylus lags too. The screen ratio is excellent but is very reflective. I own the 15’’ version and I would have probably switched to a macbook if macos had microsoft BI tools like power bi, powerpivot and sql’server. Unfortunately, it isn’t the case. Windows laptops suck on battery.

Surface Book 2 was the worst decision I've ever made, it gave me one great year of movies and gaming and it went down hill fast. Wasn't expecting a discounted $3k+ brand new laptop to lose it's graphics card within a year, but i guess that's what happens when you buy Microsoft Surface. I learned my lesson.

Never again shall i purchase an ms device, I've been so fed up by its quirks and sluggishness that I have damned the day I decided to buy it.

Like every high tech product it becomes obsolete in time. I still have my Book 1, great for web surfing obviously for other task like content creation is Not great, awfully slow. The screen is great. In general High tech product has a life cycle of 18mths - 2 years depending on individuals.

I know by me posting this will ruin my luck, but I've had a second-hand SB2 (i7/16GB/1060) since early 2021 and it works perfectly. Inb4 oh no my Surfacebook exploded lol

Surface Book 2, was one of the most disssapointing investments in my life. I wasted 3000 on this computer back when I was 18 and going into university for Architecture. It always had horrible battery life, the laptop would turn on and run all day in my backpack, and I know why it does this ?? (Read more for the answer) The screen cracked on its own accidently when it was in my backpack because of the laptop not fully closing, which is also something I did not like about this device. The power button got stuck on mine, so for over half a year the laptop was unusable. It would not turn on and there was nothing I could do about it. Oh wait, I can have a power button repaired for 780$, I think thats a great deal. No, I decided to rip out the top piece myself, I fixed the power button issue. Then a new issue occured, I realized the power button is sensitive to screen touch. Thats why it turns on in your bag, the pressure of your back against the computer in your bag turns on the laptop, and it runs. So now, the laptop for me has unfortunetly died out. It is unable to run, because everywhere I go, its always dead because its always on. Would never buy this piece of shit tech again.

I've had my i5 SB2 for a few years now. I bought it used at the time. Around the same time I bought a Dell Inspirion 16 with i7, RTX graphics, etc. Performance wise the Dell should beat the heck out of the SB2, but I have to say I love-love-love my SB2. So much so that I bought another used one for my child who also loves it. As for the Dell... I think I've been completely turned off Dell and it sits to the side most of the time. When all my hardware eventually needs to be replaced, it will likely be another Surface product.

Good job! Your review did help me making a RIGHT decision, to skip this product from Microsoft!! Thank you 😊

I know it was a bad deal 2 years ago... when you reviewed it.. but today I'd absolutely get one.. It's just they are so cheap.. That config.. would only cost like 250$ today and even lower for a non Nvidia one.. That's so cheap for what you get.. It's like cheap Chromebook money.. It also goes to show how unpopular the laptop is since the price just tanked..

I bought one second hand just waiting for it to come hopefully it hasnt got many ;of these issues, but after my previous lenovo decided to just die and there being no warning no lights or any response in a span of 30 minutes it went from watching youtube to being a brick so i dunno aslong as it does the job of being slightly better then the lenovo yoga 530 i dont think i could beat the price it was going at

Hi thanks for the video.I just wanted to add a correction to a statement you made in your opening. You stated that nothing has changed at all between the Surface Book 2 and Surface Book 3. That is incorrect.🙂🙏 The Book 3: 1. Has a faster SSD 2. Faster and more performant 10th gen CPU. (Versus slower 8th gen in book 2) 3. A more powerful GPU 4. A faster detachment mechanism for detaching the display 5. A more powerful 127 Watt (versus 102) AC adapter so that power does not drain while plugged in while using high power draw workloads I actually purchased the Book 3 and have had it for nearly a year. I have the 15” , i7, 32 GB RAM and 1 TB SSD. I think it’s quite an awesome device. Expensive😊but awesome. I don’t have the problems that you have mentioned. Granted I have the Book 3, a more refined iteration and have only had it just under a year. I think I may have had the heating issue once in a years time. I love this device and sad to see MS canceling the line. But I’m glad I got one, it’s great for productivity, art, leisure, reading, studying, light gaming, taking notes, media consumption, video editing etc. Here’s a quick bulleted list of the changes or differences between the Book 2 and Book 3 as noted in Windows Central’s review of the Surface Book 3. Reading that review for an in depth perspective on the changes is a great read🙂: Wi-Fi: Intel Wi-Fi 6 + Bluetooth 5.0 (instead of less reliable Marvel in Book 2) RAM: Up to 32GB LPDDR4x versus 16 in Book 2 Storage: Faster, up to 2TB (15-inch only) CPU: 10th Gen Intel Core versus 8 gen in Book 2 GPU: GTX 1660 Ti Max-Q (15-inch) versus older 1050 in Book 2 Also a Quadro RTX 3000 option (15-inch) Charger: 127W (15-inch) versus 102 that allowed power drain even when plugged in in Book 2 Audio: Dolby Atmos Power: 50 percent more powerful than Book 2 Battery: Half hour longer So, as you can see, things have indeed changed between the Book 2 and Book 3. 👍🙂. I just thought both you and your audience being aware that there are indeed many improvements to a device that you shared had no changes, particularly where you focused on detrimental experiences predominantly seen on the Book 2, gives a little fuller context. Thanks for the video, keep them coming!👍🙂

I use mine every day for trading and haven’t had any of these issues. Granted, I’m not taking it on the go daily and I don’t detach the screen very often. Have had for over 2 years.

The problem is right there in the title: 4 years. Manufacturers don't want you to hang on to a laptop for so long.