![]() Speaking of Windows 10, the Laptop 2 (thankfully) doesn't ship with the Windows 10 S mode that the original Laptop did. I feel confident the Laptop 2 will hold up until at least year three or four before it starts to choke up as Windows 10 is updated and perhaps your computing needs become more demanding. Most people typically replace their laptops every 4-5 years. Get a Razer Blade or Acer Predator with a more powerful discrete GPU for that. Even on lower graphics settings, Fortnite is unplayable. It's not equipped for such graphics-intensive tasks. ![]() The speedier GPU is great, but don't expect to do any gaming on the Laptop 2. ![]() Despite having Intel UHD 620 integrated graphics, which is the same integrated graphics as the Intel HD 620 in the Laptop (Intel just rebadged the graphics), my Geekbench 4 GPU test revealed my Laptop 2 was 63.3 percent faster on OpenCL operations (used for tasks like image processing) compared to the Laptop. Graphics performance on the Laptop 2 is also significantly faster compared to the Laptop. In certain light, the matte black Laptop 2 looks kinda silver. Apps that take advantage of multiple cores, like Photoshop and Adobe Premiere Pro CC, will benefit the most from the extra processing power. It's no surprise the Laptop 2 is faster since its processor has four cores compared to the Laptop's dual cores. That makes the Laptop 7.11 percent faster on single-core operations and 75.12 percent faster on multi-core operations. In comparison, last year's Laptop with the previous-gen Core i5 model and 8GB of RAM configuration scored 3,615 on single-core and 7,492 on multi-core. To test the Laptop 2's power, I ran Geekbench 4 (Opens in a new tab) to benchmark both the CPU and the GPU performance.įor the CPU test, the Laptop 2 scored 3,872 on the single-core and 13,120 on multi-core. Microsoft says the Laptop 2 is "up to 85 percent faster" than the previous Surface Laptop. Credit: RAYMOND WONG/MASHABLEīesides being a fantastic value, the Laptop 2's most important change is performance. The Surface Laptop has a big, bright 13.5-inch touchscreen. The sweet spot is the model I tested and the one with the best bang for buck. Microsoft sells other configurations with a faster Core i7 processor, 8GB of RAM, 256GB SSD for $1,599 a Core i7 chip, 16GB of RAM, 512GB SSD for $2,199 and a Core i7, 16GB of RAM, 1TB SSD for $2,699 (oddly enough this top-of-the-line model isn't available in matte black). It's also the least expensive way to get the matte black version. Doubling the internal storage costs an extra $200, but it's worth doing so since you can't add more later. I reviewed a $1,299 model with 256GB of SSD storage and matte black finish. Other $999 laptops usually come with slower processors, less RAM, or less storage - all of which will feel inadequate further down the road of ownership. Looking at the whole package, the Laptop 2 comes with an Intel 8th-gen Core i5 processor, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage. Especially not when it's rumored Apple might be close to announcing a new 13-inch MacBook with updated processors and a sharper Retina display.ĭo a quick search online and you can find laptops for the same price, but their specs kinda stink compared to the Surface Laptop 2. You can get by on the Air, but its specs are so outdated I can't in good faith recommend anyone buy it. If you want a $999 MacBook the only option today is the MacBook Air. How to become the 'spreadsheet master' of your office The biggest upgrade is internal: stepping up to 8th-generation Intel Core processors means up to 85 percent faster performance, according to Microsoft. Hardware-wise, it's the same great laptop (ports and all, for better or worse) as the original Surface Laptop. Instead, my two favorite laptops of the year are coming from relative newcomers.ĭollar for dollar, Huawei's MateBook X Pro remains one of my favorite laptops of the year and one of the best values for a clamshell computer if you're can splurge $1,500 for the version with a 512GB SSD and discrete NVIDIA graphics.īut if that's punching a bit above your budget, Microsoft's Surface Laptop 2 (Opens in a new tab), which starts at $999, is my pick for best laptop of the year. But it's not your usual Dell, HP, or Asus who are making the best laptops that balance design, performance, and usability. Notably, the flat keyboards (even with their quieter, third-generation "butterfly switch" keys) and Touch Bar remain the biggest letdowns.Īpple's fumbling with its MacBooks, however, is an opportunity for manufacturers on the Windows side to step up. Here's how to set up a VPN and protect your dataĪpple's latest MacBook Pros are still good, but they're considerably flawed.
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