Surface Book 2 13.5” vs. Surface Book i7: Which is better?

Here is a side by side comparison between Surface Book 2 13.5” and Surface Book i7 specs including CPU, RAM, storage, battery, display, and more.

Surface Book 2 13.5” Pros

Reasons that Surface Book 2 13.5” is better than Surface Book i7.

Newer manufacturing

2017 vs. 2016

Much faster CPU performance

Intel Core i7-8650U inside Surface Book 2 13.5” has a 144% better multi-core CPU performance score than the Intel Core i7-6600U inside Surface Book i7.

Geekbench 5 multi-core score
Surface Book 2 13.5” - Intel Core i7-8650U
3,879
Surface Book 2 13.5” - Intel Core i5-8350U
2,982
Surface Book 2 13.5” - Intel Core i5-7300U
1,777
Surface Book i7 - Intel Core i7-6600U
1,584
About 9% lighter

Surface Book 2 13.5” weighed 3.38 pounds, 9% lighter than the 3.68 pounds Surface Book i7.

WeightSurface Book 2 13.5”Surface Book i7
Pound
3.38 lbs.
3.68 lbs.
Kilogram
1.53 kg
1.67 kg

Surface Book i7 Pros

We couldn't find any advantages of Surface Book i7 over Surface Book 2 13.5”.

Key Similars

Similar characteristics share between Surface Book 2 13.5” and Surface Book i7.

Supports the same maximum memory size of up to 16GB

Both laptops supports up to 16GB of system memory.

Max system memory size
Surface Book 2 13.5”
16 GB
Surface Book i7
16 GB
Uses the same memory type and speed

Both laptops supports the same 1866MHz LPDDR3 RAM.

Memory type and speed
Surface Book 2 13.5” - LPDDR3
1,866 MHz
Surface Book i7 - LPDDR3
1,866 MHz

Prices

Here are the latest price updates and offers for both devices.

Surface Book 2 13.5” Price
Microsoft Surface Book 2 13.5"(Intel Core i5, 8GB RAM, 256 GB), silver
Microsoft Surface Book 2 13.5"(Intel Core i5, 8GB RAM, 256 GB), silver
By Microsoft
$339.00
$612.99 45% OFF
Microsoft Surface Book 2 15" (Intel Core i7, 16GB RAM, 512 GB) (Renewed)
Microsoft Surface Book 2 15" (Intel Core i7, 16GB RAM, 512 GB) (Renewed)
By Microsoft
$564.69
$719.99 22% OFF
Microsoft Surface Book 2 (Intel Core i5, 8GB RAM, 256GB) - 13.5in (Renewed)
Microsoft Surface Book 2 (Intel Core i5, 8GB RAM, 256GB) - 13.5in (Renewed)
By Microsoft
$339.94
$378.00 10% OFF
Surface Book i7 Price
Microsoft Surface Book 3 - 13.5" Touch-Screen - 10th Gen Intel Core i7 - 16GB Memory - 256GB SSD (Latest Model) - Platinum
Microsoft Surface Book 3 - 13.5" Touch-Screen - 10th Gen Intel Core i7 - 16GB Memory - 256GB SSD (Latest Model) - Platinum
By Microsoft
$838.99
Microsoft Surface Book 2 15" (Intel Core i7, 16GB RAM, 512 GB) (Renewed)
Microsoft Surface Book 2 15" (Intel Core i7, 16GB RAM, 512 GB) (Renewed)
By Microsoft
$564.69
$719.99 22% OFF
Microsoft Surface Book 2 (Intel Core i7, 16GB RAM, 512GB) - 13.5in (Renewed)
Microsoft Surface Book 2 (Intel Core i7, 16GB RAM, 512GB) - 13.5in (Renewed)
By Microsoft
$495.99
$574.95 14% OFF

Availability

Surface Book 2 13.5”Surface Book i7
Released20172016
Release Date
  • Introduced: October 17, 2017
  • Pre-ordered: November 9, 2017
  • Released: November 16, 2017
  • Introduced: October 26, 2016
  • Pre-ordered: October 26, 2016
  • Released: November 10, 2016
PricingStarting at 1,149$Starting at 2,399$
Generations

Exterior

Surface Book 2 13.5”Surface Book i7
Dimensions
  • Surface Book with Intel Core i5:
    12.3” x 9.1” x 0.51”-0.90” (312 mm x 232 mm x 13 mm-23 mm).
  • Surface Book with Intel Core i7
    12.3” x 9.14” x 0.59”-0.90” (312 mm x 232 mm x 15 mm-23 mm).
12.3” x 9.14” x 0.59”-0.90” (312 mm x 232 mm x 15 mm-23 mm)
Weight
  • Surface Book with Intel Core i5:
    • Total: 3.38 lbs (1,533 g)
    • Tablet: 1.59 lbs (719 g)
  • Surface Book with Intel Core i7
    • Total: 3.62 lbs (1,642 g)
    • Tablet: 1.59 lbs (719 g)
  • Tablet only: 1.6 lbs (726 g)
  • Total: 3.68 lbs (1,669 g)
Colors
Platinum
Platinum
Keyboard and Trackpad
  • Keyboard:
    • Full-size mechanical backlit keyset with 1.55mm travel.
    • Mechanical friction attaches the Clipboard to the keyboard.
  • Trackpad:
    • Larger size 105 mm x 70 mm, glass.
    • Supports up to Five-finger multitouch gesture.
  • Keyboard:
    • Full-size mechanical backlit keyset with 1.55mm travel.
    • Mechanical friction attaches the Clipboard to the keyboard.
  • Trackpad:
    • Larger size 105 mm x 70 mm, glass.
    • Supports up to Five-finger multitouch gesture.

Display

Surface Book 2 13.5”Surface Book i7
Size13.5 Inches13.5 Inches
Info
  • Display Resolution: 3000 x 2000 (6M Pixels)
  • Display Density: 267 PPI
  • PixelSense™ Display
  • Aspect ratio: 3:2
  • Contrast ratio: 1600:1
  • Inking: designed together with Surface Pen
  • Touch: 10 points multi-touch
  • Display Resolution: 3000 x 2000 (6M Pixels)
  • Display Density: 267 PPI
  • PixelSense™ Display
  • Aspect ratio: 3:2
  • Contrast ratio: 1700:1
  • Inking: designed together with Surface Pen
  • Touch: 10 points multi-touch

Ports

Surface Book 2 13.5”Surface Book i7
Surface Book 2 13.5” Ports
Image Source: Microsoft
  • 2 x Full-size USB 3.1 Gen 1
  • 1 x USB Type-C 3.1 Gen 1
    Supports Power Delivery and DisplayPort.
  • 2 x Surface Connect™
    1 in tablet, 1 in keyboard base, both supports charging and docking.
  • 1 x Headset jack
  • 1 x Full-size SDXC card reader
    UHS-II Performance
Surface Book i7 Ports
Image Source: Microsoft
  • 2 x Full-size USB 3.0
  • 2 x Surface Connect™
    1 in tablet, 1 in keyboard base, both supports charging and docking.
  • 1 x Mini DisplayPort
  • 1 x Headset jack
  • 1 x Full-size SDXC card reader (UHS-II performance)

Internal Specs

Surface Book 2 13.5”Surface Book i7
Processor
  1. 7th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-7300U
    2 cores, 4 threads, 2.60 → 3.50 GHz, 3MB SmartCache, 15W
  2. 8th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-8350U
    4 cores, 8 threads, 1.70 → 3.60 GHz, 6MB SmartCache, 15W
  3. 8th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-8650U
    4 cores, 8 threads, 1.90 → 4.20 GHz, 8MB SmartCache, 15W
  1. 6th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-6600U
    2 cores, 4 threads, 2.60 → 3.40 GHz, 4MB SmartCache, 15W
Integrated Graphics
  1. 7th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-7300U
    Intel® HD Graphics 620
    24 Execution Units, 300 → 1100 MHz
  2. 8th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-8350U
    Intel® UHD Graphics 620
    24 Execution Units, 300 → 1100 MHz
  3. 8th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-8650U
    Intel® UHD Graphics 620
    24 Execution Units, 300 → 1150 MHz
  1. 6th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-6600U
    Intel® HD Graphics 520
    24 Execution Units, 300 → 1050 MHz
Memory
8GB 16GB
1866 MHz LPDDR3 RAM
8GB 16GB
1866 MHz LPDDR3 RAM
Discrete Graphics
  • NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 1050
    Pascal Architecture, 2GB GDDR5 128-bit, 1354 → 1493 MHz, 640 CUDA Cores.
  • NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 965m
    Maxwell Architecture, 2GB GDDR5 128-bit, 924/935 - 950/1151 MHz, 1024 CUDA Cores.
Storage
128 GB 256 GB 512 GB 1 TB
1 x M.2 2280 PCIe SSD
256 GB 512 GB 1 TB
Soldered PCIe 3.0 SSD

Connectivity

Surface Book 2 13.5”Surface Book i7
Wi-Fi
  • Wi-Fi 5: IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac compatible.
  • Wi-Fi 5: IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac compatible.
Bluetooth
  • Bluetooth Wireless 4.1 technology
  • Bluetooth Wireless 4.0 technology

Battery

Surface Book 2 13.5”Surface Book i7
Size
  • Surface Book with Intel Core i5:
    Total: 69Wh
    Clipboard: 18Wh
    Base: 51Wh
  • Surface Book with Intel Core i7:
    Total: 75.3Wh
    Clipboard: 18Wh
    Base: 57.3Wh
  • Total: 81Wh
    Clipboard: 18Wh
    Base: 63Wh
Battery Life
  • Up to 17 hours of video playback
  • Up to 5 hours in tablet mode
  • Up to 16 hours of video playback
Power Supply
  • Surface Book with Intel Core i5:
    44W power supply with USB-A (5W) charging port.
  • Surface Book with Intel Core i7
    100W power supply with USB-A (5W) charging port.
102W power supply with USB-A (5W) charging port.

Software

Surface Book 2 13.5”Surface Book i7
OSWindows 10 Pro (Creators Update)
Free upgrade to Windows 11
Windows 10 Pro
Built-in AppsMicrosoft Office 365 30-days trialMicrosoft Office 365 30-days trial

Camera & Audio

Surface Book 2 13.5”Surface Book i7
Camera
  • Windows Hello face authentication camera (front-facing)
  • 5.0MP front-facing camera with 1080p HD video
  • 8.0MP rear-facing autofocus camera with 1080p HD video
  • Windows Hello face authentication camera (front-facing)
  • 5.0MP front-facing camera with 1080p HD video
  • 8.0MP rear-facing autofocus camera with 1080p HD video
Audio
  • Dual microphones
  • Front-facing stereo speakers with Dolby® Audio™ Premium
  • Support for Windows Sonic for Headphones
  • Support for Dolby® Atmos for Headphones
  • Dual microphones
  • Front-facing stereo speakers with Dolby® Audio™ Premium

Misc

Surface Book 2 13.5”Surface Book i7
InkingSupports Surface Pen
4096 levels of pressure
Tilt sensing
Best in class latency
Paper feel
0.1mm precision
Supports Surface Pen
1024 levels of pressure
Magnetic storage
Sensors
  • Ambient light sensor
  • Proximity sensor
  • Accelerometer
  • Gyroscope
  • Magnetometer
  • Ambient light sensor
  • Proximity sensor
  • Accelerometer
  • Gyroscope
  • Magnetometer
Security
  • HW TPM 2.0 chip for enterprise security
  • Enterprise-grade protection with Windows Hello face sign-in
  • HW TPM chip for enterprise security
  • Enterprise-grade protection with Windows Hello face sign-in
In the box
  • Surface Book 2 13.5”
  • Power supply
  • Quick Start Guide
  • Safety and warranty documents
  • Surface Book
  • Surface Pen
  • Power supply
  • Quick Start Guide
  • Safety and warranty documents
WarrantyOne-year limited hardware warrantyOne-year limited hardware warranty
MoreSupports Surface Dial
Supports both on-screen and off-screen interaction.
Supports Surface Dial
Supports off-screen interaction only.

Key Features

Surface Book 2 13.5”Surface Book i7
At Glance
Released in Late
2017
3:2 3K
13.5”
2000p 60Hz
Weight
3.38 lb
1.53 kg
Up to
Intel Core i7-8650U
4C/8T, 1.90 → 4.20 GHz
Geekbench 5
1,106
Single Core
Geekbench 5
3,879
Multi-Core
With integrated
Intel® UHD Graphics 620
24 Execution Units, 300 → 1150 MHz
Configurable up to
16GB
1866 MHz LPDDR3
Surface Book 2 13.5” Ports
Nvidia GeForce
GTX 1050
4GB GDDR5
Released in Late
2016
3:2 3K
13.5”
2000p 60Hz
Weight
3.68 lb
1.67 kg
Powered By
Intel Core i7-6600U
2C/4T, 2.60 → 3.40 GHz
Geekbench 5
745
Single Core
Geekbench 5
1,584
Multi-Core
With integrated
Intel® HD Graphics 520
24 Execution Units, 300 → 1050 MHz
Configurable up to
16GB
1866 MHz LPDDR3
Surface Book i7 Ports
Nvidia GeForce
GTX 965M
2GB GDDR5

Comparison Summary

Surface Book 2 13.5” vs. Surface Book i7

Microsoft has released the Surface Book 2 13.5”, a 13.5-inch machine, in late-2017. It is powered by up to a quad-core Intel Core i7-8650U with a boost clock speed up to 4.20 GHz. The laptop has a dedicated GPU option up to Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 with 4GB GDDR5.

On the other hand, we have the 13.5-inch Surface Book i7 was introduced by Microsoft about a year earlier in late-2016. It comes with a dual-core Intel Core i7-6600U with a boost clock speed up to 3.40 GHz. It has a dedicated GPU option up to Nvidia GeForce GTX 965M with 2GB GDDR5.

Geekbench 5 Single Core

Surface Book 2 13.5”1
7th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-7300U81573.69%
2
8th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-8350U86277.94%
3
8th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-8650U1,106100.00%
Surface Book i71
6th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-6600U74567.36%
01,106

Geekbench 5 Multi Core

Surface Book 2 13.5”1
7th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-7300U1,77745.81%
2
8th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-8350U2,98276.88%
3
8th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-8650U3,879100.00%
Surface Book i71
6th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-6600U1,58440.84%
03,879

Both Surface Book 2 13.5” and Surface Book i7 have the same 13.5-inch display size. In addition, The Surface Book 2 13.5” weighs 3.38 lbs. about 8% lighter than the 3.68 lbs. Surface Book i7. Moreover, measured at 12.3” x 9.14” x 0.9”, the Surface Book 2 13.5” share the same chassis as the Surface Book i7.

Surface Book 2 13.5”Surface Book i7

Moving over to upgradability, Microsoft claims that the Surface Book 2 13.5” supports up to 16GB 1866 MHz LPDDR3 memory. However, it has an onboard memory module that is not upgradable by the users. Fortunately, it comes with a single removable M.2 SSD slot that users can replace and upgrade in the future.

For Surface Book i7, it supports up to 16GB 1866 MHz LPDDR3 memory. Like Surface Book 2 13.5”, it has an onboard memory module that is not upgradable by the users. Luckily, it has a single removable M.2 SSD slot that users can replace or upgrade when needed.

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