Microsoft Surface Book 2 1TB/Intel Core i7 - 16B RAM (13.5")

Under no circumstance would I recommend any Microsoft hardware – We have purchased two 13.5" max. specs devices in the end of 2017. Primary focus was the almost 4K screen, touch & touch pen input, and seemingly best possible overall convertible hardware available. We knew Windows 10 and Microsoft support will be abysmal, but I wont rate them here; everybody knows how bad they are already. First issues happened… Read more

1 month after purchase in both laptops: - Overheating in sleep mode, warning message laptop is too hot; cannot boot - Battery dropping extremely fast - Both Nvidia graphics card inside keyboard randomly detaching, closing applications depending on it - Both devices feel electrically charged when plugged into any charger (charger not grounded) - WiFi dropping

After 12 months of purchase: - One charging adapter broke, only its USB port working but is useless for the laptop - Both Nvidias rendered useless; every possibility of updates, refresh etc. lead to nothing - Battery life approx. at 30% - "Metal" casing losing silver spray paint/laquer

After 18 months: - One keyboard (base) finally resulted in electrical shortcut and caused internal burning/melting at connector pins. No way to repair, no spare keyboard available anywhere, simply nothing.

Now, 36 months later: - Remaining tablet/screen does random phantom inputs on touch screen or none at all - Hinge beginning to slide sideways, last remaining keyboard begins to detach more often - On/OFF button with 30% reliability left - Overheating to severe levels

We have spent approx. $10.000 for both devices and expected proper machines for work in graphics design, 3D and general professional business operations. So far, the entire package starting from price, quality, to support over OS and anything else, has be an absolute disaster for us. I definitely even forgot to mention some other faults.

One must imagine this: If your keyboard breaks, you wont really be able to safe your data off the remaining screen anymore, since no ports attached. Good luck saving like 500GB via cloud or what not. If you have trouble, Microsoft will not help you and instead tries to charge you more, despite the fact that we have rules and laws in AUS. If something breaks, that will have been the end of the story in most cases.

If you read this, avoid this product, avoid any product from Microsoft, avoid any newer model whatsoever. Do not get caught by their marketing and hipstery.

If you want a proper device, buy a proper device.

DOA 10 days in with a bad hinge and corrupted software - offered a refurbished model instead – Short Story: Harvey Norman suggested I get a repair, I go 400km to the MS store in Sydney and they send me back to Harvey Norman after offering a Refurbished model instead of a new replacement model. I now have to go back home to the original Harvey Norman store to get a replacement because the Microsoft store refuses to replace my laptop that's… Read more

10 days old with a host of software issues, even after being told over the phone by MICROSOFT themselves, to make an appointment and take it in to get it replaced. (Yes, phone support said it would likely get replaced since its a DOA)

Long Story: My first Microsoft store experience. Spoke with [name removed], and a supervisor named [name removed].

I had to make an appointment at the only Microsoft store in the country just to be told that my $4000 laptop, that's only 10 days old, has a serious hardware problem. But the only thing they can do is replace my new, out of the box computer with a refurbished model (and God knows how old, used, worn or cared for, this model is.)

These laptops can't be repaired or torn down and I was told to go back to the place I bought the laptop from and get it sorted out there. But Harvey Norman said they had to send it away to be diagnosed and repaired. No replacement for something that's exhibiting issues one week in. And whilst on the phone, it was suggested I give MS a visit. Which I decided to do.

Also, the standard 2-year warranty was activated on the 28th of December 2018. I bought the device on the 13th of April 2019. But my receipt says a 1-year warranty. Several emails to Microsoft support have (for 1 week now) gone unanswered.

The software is also out of date, and I am unable to fix the "sRGB / Enhanced" problem with the display settings. I have recovered, reimaged, reinstalled and updated the heck out of this laptop and it's still several versions out of date (I have the 1709 version and not the 1808 version) Now windows update refuses to update further.

All of these issues, 10 days in, and MS can't do anything for me except send me back to Harvey Norman for a repair and refuse to replace my laptop that's only 10 days old. I'm better off getting a refund and buying a new computer to have saved myself from all these issues.

The only saving grace is that the store looks nice.

Very Buggy Given How Expensive It Was – Bought this laptop to run my business and it has been surprisingly buggy and error prone given its premium price and flagship status. Turning screen on and detaching screen are constant problems. Left clicking on trackpad is unreliable. Accuracy of the pen is terrible and not professional standard for my work. Scaling issues with a second screen… Read more

through the very expensive MS dock also not good enough for professional work. Text looks horrible on a second screen. Always have problems trying to print. Even have trouble logging in. Face recognition only works half the time. Laptop overheats doing simple tasks like taking notes with pen for work and don't even think about playing games, it will stutter and stall on even simple games like FIFA 18. I've tried dealing with Microsoft to fix or resolve some of these issues, but they are useless. Really really disappointed with the Surface Book 2 and think Microsoft have misled there customers about the performance of this laptop. I've had it for a year and have to use it every day for work and it's a constant reminder of how I wasted $4k on a dud laptop when a budget model would have performed better. Won't ever trust Microsoft product again. Avoid!

Test before you leave the store - and then swap it out for a Mac – I was keen for a fast reliable laptop with lots of memory. After the third try I have given up on the Surface Book 2. The first had a black line down the screen, the second didn’t charge the battery and the third, well, it didn’t even turn on. When I rang Microsoft support they asked me whether I tested the computer before I left the store. … Read more

Really? You have to do that for a $4k computer? Well I guess it makes sense, since they clearly do NOT test them before they leave the factory. JB HiFi were terrific - it’s not their fault Microsoft sells expensive rubbish, but gosh what a lot of wasted time and frustration.