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Microsoft Surface Book (2015)

alaTest has collected and analyzed 481 reviews of Microsoft Surface Book (2015). The average rating for this product is 3.6/5, compared to an average rating of 4.3/5 for other Tablets for all reviews. Reviewers are impressed by the durability and size. The performance and reliability also get good opinions, whereas reviews are divided on the battery. Many are less positive about the price and portability.

screen, reliability, performance, size, durability

portability, price

We analyzed user and expert ratings, product age and more factors. Compared to other Tablets the Microsoft Surface Book (2015) is awarded an overall alaScore™ of 94/100 = Excellent quality.

Review analysis

(Based on 481 reviews)

Expert Reviews  

User Reviews  

Review Ratings

  (40% of reviews)
Show all 5 star reviews   (22% of reviews)
Show all 4 star reviews   (9% of reviews)
Show all 3 star reviews   (7% of reviews)
Show all 2 star reviews   (23% of reviews)
Show all 1 star reviews

Features

screen
  Show positive (91%)Show negative (9%)(Show all)
portability
  Show positive (29%)Show negative (71%)(Show all)
reliability
  Show positive (71%)Show negative (29%)(Show all)
performance
  Show positive (100%)None yet(Show all)
battery
  Show positive (50%)Show negative (50%)(Show all)
size
  Show positive (75%)Show negative (25%)(Show all)
price
  None yetShow negative (100%)(Show all)
durability
  Show positive (100%)None yet(Show all)
usability
  Show positive (100%)None yet(Show all)
design
  Show positive (100%)None yet(Show all)
More features

Showing 418 review(s)

Expert Reviews User Reviews

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Showing 1 - 342 of 418 Show Reviews: in English | in other languages (63)

Consumer review (amazon.co.uk)

Amazon.co.uk review summary for Microsoft Surface Book (2015)

 

alaTest has collected and analyzed 31 user reviews of Microsoft Surface Book (2015) from Amazon.co.uk. The average user rating for this product is 3.5/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.3/5 for other Tablets on Amazon.co.uk.

68% of the reviews on Amazon.co.uk give this product a positive rating.

This summary is based on the products: Microsoft Surface Book (512 GB, 16 GB RAM, Intel Core i7, NVIDIA GeForce graphics) • Microsoft Surface Book (512 GB, 16 GB RAM, Intel Core i7, NVIDIA GeForce graphics)

Jun, 2018

Consumer review (amazon.com)

Amazon.com review summary for Microsoft Surface Book (2015)

 

alaTest has collected and analyzed 295 user reviews of Microsoft Surface Book (2015) from Amazon.com. The average user rating for this product is 3.4/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.1/5 for other Tablets on Amazon.com.

65% of the reviews on Amazon.com give this product a positive rating.

This summary is based on the products: Microsoft Surface Book (512 GB, 16 GB RAM, Intel Core i7, NVIDIA GeForce graphics) • Microsoft Surface Book (512 GB, 16 GB RAM, Intel Core i7, NVIDIA GeForce graphics)

Jun, 2018

Consumer review (amazon.ca)

Amazon.ca review summary for Microsoft Surface Book (2015)

 

alaTest has collected and analyzed 6 user reviews of Microsoft Surface Book (2015) from Amazon.ca. The average user rating for this product is 2.3/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.2/5 for other Tablets on Amazon.ca.

33% of the reviews on Amazon.ca give this product a positive rating.

This summary is based on the products: uShopMall Microsoft Surface Book (512 GB, 16 GB RAM, Intel Core i7, NVIDIA GeForce graphics)(US Version, Imported) • uShopMall Microsoft Surface Book (512 GB, 16 GB RAM, Intel Core i7, NVIDIA GeForce graphics)(US Version, Imported)

Jun, 2018

Expert review by : Brad Bourque (digitaltrends.com)

Microsoft Surface Book review

 

If the Surface Pro is the tablet that can replace your laptop, the Surface Book is the laptop that can replace your tablet.

Jun, 2017
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Expert review by (engadget.com)

Surface Book review: The ultimate laptop, even if it isn't perfect

 

Microsoft's first laptop raises the bar for other notebooks, with fast performance, best-in-class battery life and a design that manages to be both premium and unforgettable. The detachable screen is also comfortable to use as a tablet, thanks to both...

Distinctive, well-constructed design ; Impressively light as a tablet ; Gorgeous screen ; Pen input works well ; Comfortable keyboard ; Fast performance ; Best-in-class battery life in laptop mode ; Lots of configurations to choose from

Short battery life for just the tablet ; High cost of entry ; "Fulcrum" hinge makes the laptop appear fatter when shut ; Feels heavy compared to some other flagship laptops ; Screen wobbles a bit it in laptop mode

The Surface Book isn't perfect — no product is. But if "the ultimate laptop" merely means it raises the bar for other laptops, then it mostly lives up to that promise. I would recommend it b ased on its long battery life alone — 11 hours at a minimum....

Oct, 2015
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Expert review by : Dana Wollman (engadget.com)

Surface Book review: the ultimate laptop, even if it isn't perfect

 

That battery life, though.

Distinctive, well-constructed design ; Impressively light as a tablet ; Gorgeous screen ; Pen input works well ; Comfortable keyboard ; Fast performance ; Best-in-class battery life in laptop mode ; Lots of configurations to choose from

Short battery life for just the tablet ; High cost of entry ; Fulcrum" hinge makes the laptop appear fatter when shut ; Feels heavy compared to some other flagship laptops ; Screen wobbles a bit it in laptop mode

Microsoft's first laptop raises the bar for other notebooks, with fast performance, best-in-class battery life and a design that manages to be both premium and unforgettable. The detachable screen is also comfortable to use as a tablet, thanks to both...

Oct, 2015
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Expert review by : Gordon Mah Ung (pcworld.com)

Surface Book Review: Microsoft reimagines the laptop, and it's glorious

 

It's not hype. The Surface Book is powerful, fast, beautiful, and unlike any other laptop you've ever seen

Tremendous battery life ; Beautiful screen ; Doesn't compromise on laptop use and adds wonderful Clipboard mode

Rather large and heavy ; Very expensive as you add options on

(1 items)

Oct, 2015
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PCMAG.COM - Editor's Choice

Expert review by : Joel Santo Domingo (pcmag.com)

Microsoft Surface Book

 

The innovative Microsoft Surface Book offers comfortable ergonomics, a big, beautiful screen, more than 15 hours of battery life, and the power to make short work of everyday and multimedia tasks. It's the first premium detachable-hybrid tablet to earn...

Versatile detachable-hybrid design. Light and comfortable to use in Tablet mode. Constructed of premium materials. Brilliant 3,000-by-2,000-pixel display. Electrically actuated mechanical latch. More than 15 hours of battery life in testing. No bloatware

Pricey. No ports on tablet body. Does not lie flat when closed

Just when you thought Microsoft would never make its own PC, it releases the Surface Book ($1,699 as tested), a powerful, capable hybrid that marries the best qualities of a laptop with the versatility of a Windows tablet. Its innovative design and...

Oct, 2015
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Expert review by : Tom Warren (theverge.com)

Microsoft Surface Book review

 

I've always wanted Microsoft to build a laptop. Some days I'll be seated on my couch, other days I'll be seated on the floor of a convention center or press event, so I need a laptop that just...

Great keyboard and trackpad ; Amazing battery life ; 3:2 display is ideal for webpages

That weird gap ; Display wobbles and feels top heavy ; A little bulky as a laptop

Oct, 2015
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Expert review by : Dan Ackerman (cnet.com)

Microsoft Surface Book review

 

In October 2016, Microsoft revamped the Surface Book's hardware -- increasing the power and battery life (and price) of the top-tier model -- while leaving the exterior more or less unchanged. The $2,399 Surface Book i7 offers 16 hours of battery life;...

The Microsoft Surface Book packs high-end components, including new Intel processors and optional Nvidia graphics, into a smart, slim body. Some components and most of the battery are hidden in the base, so the tablet half is lighter. The high-res...

Configurations with the optional Nvidia GPU and more storage get very expensive. There are some first-generation quirks, including an awkward gap between the screen and base when closed.

While it's not nearly as refined as the new fourth-gen Surface Pro, Microsoft's Surface Book is a powerful, feature-filled premium hybrid that doesn't forget it's a laptop first.

Oct, 2015
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Expert review by (cnet.com)

Microsoft Surface Book (512GB, Core i7, 16GB, dGPU)

 

Microsoft's other new system, the less expensive Surface Pro 4 , is clearly intended as a full-time tablet that can double as a part-time laptop, thanks to its clever (but sold separately) keyboard cover. And in practice, the Surface Pro is better as a...

The Microsoft Surface Book packs high-end components, including new Intel processors and optional Nvidia graphics, into a smart, slim body. Some components and most of the battery are hidden in the base, so the tablet half is lighter. The high-res...

Configurations with the optional Nvidia GPU and more storage get very expensive. There are some first-generation quirks, including an awkward gap between the screen and base when closed.

While it's not nearly as refined as the new fourth-gen Surface Pro, Microsoft's Surface Book is a powerful, feature-filled premium hybrid that doesn't forget it's a laptop first.

Oct, 2015
Read the full review

Expert review by : David Pierce (wired.com)

Review: Microsoft Surface Book

 

For the last few years, PC manufacturers have devoted incredible engineering resources to giving their laptops gymnastic capabilities. Dell made a laptop whose screen could spin quickly inside its frame. Toshiba's Satellite could fold flat and slide...

It's a laptop. A great laptop. Finally, a Windows computer without stickers and logos everywhere. The keyboard and trackpad are excellent---and if you don't like them pen and touch work just great. Screen is gorgeous, and there's plenty of power behind it

Detaching and re-attaching comes with some pain. This is a very expensive laptop

So what? You’ll still have as good a Windows laptop as there’s ever been. And for now, that’s more than enough.

Oct, 2015
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Expert review by (laptopmag.com)

Microsoft Surface Book Review

 

Talk about chutzpah. The Surface Book is the first notebook Microsoft has ever made, and yet the company boasts that it's the "ultimate laptop." It has reason to be confident. The Surface and Surface Pro are the most successful 2-in-1s yet, and the...

Dec, 2015
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Product Specifications

Audio

Audio system:Dolby Audio
Built-in Microphone: Yes
Number of built-in speakers:2

Camera

Auto focus: Yes
Front Camera:Y
Front camera resolution (numeric):5
Rear camera:Y
Rear camera resolution (numeric):8

Design

Color of product:Silver
Form Factor:Convertible (Detachable)
Housing material:Magnesium
Product type:Hybrid (2-in-1)

Display

Aspect Ratio:3:2
Display Diagonal:13.5
Display Resolution:3000 x 2000
Full HD: Yes
HD type:Wide Quad HD
LED backlight: Yes
Touch screen: Yes
Touch screen type:Capacitive
Touch technology:Multi-Touch
Touchscreen:Y
Touchscreen type:Capacitive

Graphics

Discrete graphics adapter:N
Discrete graphics adapter memory:1
Discrete graphics adapter model: No
Discrete graphics memory type:GDDR5
Graphics adapter Open GL support: Yes
Maximum on-board graphics adapter memory:1.74
Number of displays supported (on-board graphics):3
On-board graphics adapter: Yes
On-board graphics adapter base frequency:300
On-board graphics adapter DirectX version:12
On-board graphics adapter dynamic frequency (max):1000
On-board graphics adapter family:Intel® HD Graphics
On-board graphics adapter ID:1916
On-board graphics adapter model:Intel HD Graphics 520 / Intel® HD Graphics 520
On-board graphics adapter OpenGL version:4.4

Keyboard

Numeric keypad: No
Windows keys: Yes

Memory

Internal memory:16 / 8
Maximum internal memory:16

Networking

3G: No
4G:N
Bluetooth: Yes
Bluetooth version:4.0
Ethernet LAN:N
Ethernet LAN connection: No
Wi-Fi: Yes
Wi-Fi standards:802.11a, 802.11ac, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n

Optical Drive

LightScribe: No
Optical Drive Type: No

Other Features

Audio system:Dolby Audio
Dolby technologies: Yes

Packaging Content

AC adapter included:Y
Quick start guide:Y
Stylus pen:Y
Warranty card:Y

Packaging Data

AC adapter bundled: Yes
AC adapter included:Y
Quick start guide: Yes
Stylus pen: Yes
Warranty card: Yes

Performance

Accelerometer: Yes
Ambient light sensor: Yes
Gyroscope: Yes

Ports & interfaces

CardBus PCMCIA slot type: No
Combo headphone/mic port: Yes
Docking connector: Yes
DVI port: No
ExpressCard slot: No
Headphone outputs:1
Mini DisplayPort quantity:1
Mini DisplayPorts quantity:1
S/PDIF out port: No
SmartCard slot: No
USB 3.0 (3.1 Gen 1) Type-A ports quantity:2
USB 3.0 ports quantity:2

Processor

Bus type:QPI
Configurable TDP-down:7.5
Configurable TDP-down frequency:800
Conflict Free processor:Y
ECC supported by processor:N
FSB Parity: No
Maximum number of PCI Express lanes:12
PCI Express configurations:1x2+2x1, 1x4, 2x2, 4x1 / 1x4, 4x1
PCI Express slots version:3.0
Processor:i5-6300U
Processor boost frequency:3
Processor cache:3
Processor cache type:Smart Cache
Processor codename:Skylake
Processor cores:2
Processor family:6th gen Intel® Core™ i5 / 6th gen Intel® Core™ i7 / Intel Core i5-6xxx / Intel Core i7-6xxx
Processor frequency:2.4
Processor lithography:14
Processor model:i5-6300U
Processor operating modes:64-bit
Processor Series:Intel® Core™ i5-6300 Mobile Series
Processor socket:BGA1356 / Socket B2 (LGA 1356)
Processor threads:4
Stepping:D1
System bus data transfer rate:4
System bus rate:4
Thermal Design Power (TDP):15
Tjunction:100

Processor special features

CPU configuration (max):1
Embedded options available: Yes
Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology: Yes
Execute Disable Bit: Yes
Graphics & IMC lithography:14
Idle States: Yes
Intel 64:Y
Intel AES New Instructions: Yes
Intel Anti-Theft Technology: No
Intel Clear Video HD Technology: Yes
Intel Clear Video Technology:Y
Intel Clear Video Technology for MID: Yes
Intel Demand Based Switching: No
Intel Dual Display Capable Technology: No
Intel Enhanced Halt State: Yes
Intel Fast Memory Access: No
Intel FDI Technology: No
Intel Flex Memory Access: Yes
Intel HD Graphics:Y
Intel Hyper-Threading Technology: Yes
Intel Identity Protection Technology: Yes
Intel Insider: Yes
Intel InTru 3D Technology: Yes
Intel My WiFi Technology: Yes
Intel Quick Sync Video Technology: Yes
Intel Rapid Storage Technology: No
Intel Secure Key Technology version:1.00
Intel Small Business Advantage (SBA) version:1.00
Intel Smart Cache: Yes
Intel Smart Response Technology: Yes
Intel Smart Response Technology version:1.00
Intel Software Guard Extensions (Intel SGX):1
Intel Stable Image Platform Program (SIPP):Y
Intel Stable Image Platform Program (SIPP) version:1.00
Intel Trusted Execution Technology: Yes
Intel TSX-NI:Y
Intel TSX-NI version:1.00
Intel Turbo Boost Technology:2.0
Intel Virtualization Technology (VT-x):Y
Intel Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O (VT-d):Y
Intel vPro Technology: Yes
Intel VT-x with Extended Page Tables (EPT): Yes
Intel Wireless Display (WiDi) Technology: Yes
Intel® AES New Instructions (Intel® AES-NI):Y
Intel® Anti-Theft Technology (Intel® AT):N
Intel® Built-in Visuals Technology: Yes
Intel® Clear Video HD Technology (Intel® CVT HD):Y
Intel® Clear Video Technology for Mobile Internet Devices (Intel CVT for MID):Y
Intel® Hyper Threading Technology (Intel® HT Technology):Y
Intel® Identity Protection Technology (Intel® IPT):Y
Intel® Insider™: Yes
Intel® InTru™ 3D Technology: Yes
Intel® Iris™ Pro Graphics: No
Intel® My WiFi Technology (Intel® MWT):Y
Intel® OS Guard:Y
Intel® Quick Sync Video Technology: Yes
Intel® Secure Key:Y
Intel® Small Business Advantage (Intel® SBA):Y
Intel® Smart Cache:Y
Intel® Smart Response Technology: Yes
Intel® Turbo Boost Technology:2.0
Intel® vPro™ Technology:Y
Intel® Wireless Display (Intel® WiDi):Y
InTru™ 3D Technology: Yes
Processor ARK ID:88190
Processor code:SR2F0
Processor package size:42
Supported instruction sets:AVX 2.0, SSE4.1, SSE4.2 / SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX 2.0
Thermal Monitoring Technologies: Yes

Security

Cable lock slot:N
Trusted Platform Module (TPM): Yes

Software

Operating system architecture:64-bit
Operating system installed:Windows 10 Pro
Trial software:Microsoft Office

Storage

Card reader integrated: Yes
Compatible memory cards:SD
Number of SSDs installed:1
Solid-state drive capacity:128 / 256 / 512
Storage media:SSD
Total Storage Capacity:1000 / 128 / 256 / 512

Weight & Dimensions

Depth:9.13
Depth (tablet mode):0.303 / 8.66
Height (front):0.512
Height (rear):0.898
Height (tablet mode):0.303 / 8.66
Weight:3.35 / 3.48
Width:12.3
Width (tablet mode):12.3