Laptops

Microsoft introduces more powerful Surface Book 2 in two sizes

Published

October 18, 2017

Daniel Morial

Along with the release of the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update, Microsoft announced a refresh of their most powerful notebook. With two new sizes, the Surface Book 2 is now a competitor to Apple’s 15-inch MacBook Pro.

The Surface Book 2 comes in two sizes: 13.5- and 15-inch. While the overall design remains loyal to its predecessor, it sports a new processor and graphics card. There’s really no fuss about the new Surface Books — just simple and powerful.

The 13.5-inch version, which has a resolution of 3000 x 2000 pixels, has the latest eighth-generation Intel Core i7 processor with up to 16GB of memory and up to 1TB SSD. The Core i7 option has an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 graphics with 2GB memory.

As for the bigger 15-inch version with its 3240 x 2160 display, you get the option to have an eighth-generation Intel Core i7 processor and still with up to 16GB of memory and 1TB SSD. It has a more powerful NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 graphics chip with 6GB of memory. That’s a lot of processing and graphics power for a laptop.

Both share a claimed 17 hours of battery life when used for watching videos. Since this is still a convertible, the tablet has a separate battery that can last for five hours under the same circumstances. They have two USB 3.0 ports, one USB-C, a proprietary Surface connect, full-size SD card reader, and audio port.

There are two cameras on board: an 8-megapixel rear and a 5-megapixel front. Other features present on the new Surface Book 2 are Windows Hello login, Dolby Atmos, and a backlit keyboard.

The Surface Book 2 sits on top of the Surface devices when it comes to power. It can easily handle virtual reality and augmented reality, or “Mixed Reality” as Microsoft calls it. The PixelSense display with multi-touch supports the new Surface Pen and the Surface Dial.

The 13.5-inch model starts at US$ 1,499, while the 15-inch starts at US$ 2,499. Both will be available for pre-order on November 9 in the US and other markets.

[irp posts=”14466″ name=”Microsoft Surface Pro isn’t just an incremental update”]

Computex 2026

Here’s all the RTX Spark notebooks announced at COMPUTEX 2026

We got notebooks from ASUS, Dell, HP, Lenovo, Microsoft, and MSI.

Published

June 5, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

There’s been much ado about the NVIDIA RTX Spark. By now, you’ve probably heard a lot about the upcoming reinvention of PCs. But, as a regular consumer, it’s hard to visualize just how this revolution looks like. Thankfully, in NVIDIA’s demo suites, a few manufacturers got to showcase their take on an RTX Spark notebook. And all of them are coming out in the fall.

ASUS ProArt P14 and P16

ASUS ProArt P16

ASUS ProArt P14

Dell XPS 16 Creator Edition

HP OmniBook X 14 and Ultra 16

HP OmniBook X 14

HP OmniBook Ultra 16

Lenovo Yoga Pro 9n

Microsoft Surface Laptop Ultra

MSI Prestige N16 Flip AI+

Unfortunately, none of these brands could share comprehensive details about their laptops beyond a promise for raw power. All of these models aren’t the final version yet.

However, just from what we can tell, these notebooks do feel different from the standard fare of laptops today. For one, they are deceptively heavier. Though all of the OEMs promise a much thinner profile, they’re either packing a lot of tech inside or are using denser materials for their chassis. But again, these are engineering units, so who knows how heavy these things will actually be?

Secondly, based on NVIDIA’s demos, they can do a lot of heavy lifting. NVIDIA says that these superchips are meant for developers and creators, but gamers will also find joy in their performance. DLSS 4.5, in particular, feels like a true revolution in terms of graphics.

Thankfully, fall isn’t too far away. If you can wait, the next evolution of PCs is just around the corner.

Computex 2026

The Dell XPS 13 is the lineup’s thinnest notebook to date

It’s only 12.7mm thin and 2.2lbs light.

Published

June 2, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

Last year, Dell killed off the XPS lineup. However, the brand quickly learned the error of its ways and resurrected the lineup this year. When the XPS 14 and 16 launched last January, the XPS 13, touted as the lineup’s thinnest laptop to date, made some interesting teases. Now, at COMPUTEX 2026, the new 13.4-inch notebook finally made an appearance.

Though the number in the name says “13,” the XPS 13 is defined by more than just its screen size. It’s the thinnest notebook in the entire XPS lineup, measuring at only 12.7 millimeters and weighing only 2.2 pounds. And yet it’s still remarkably durable with a premium CNC aluminum construction.

Inside, the XPS 13 can carry up to a Series 3 Intel Core Ultra 7 chipset. This is paired with up to 32GB of memory and up to 1TB of storage.

Meanwhile, the 13.4-inch display touts 2.5K resolution and an InfinityEdge touchscreen display. It has a 500nit typical brightness, up to 120Hz VRR, and Dolby Vision. You’re also getting a quad speaker setup with two main speakers and two tweeters, all of which are compatible with Dolby Atmos.

Despite its size, the notebook is fitted with 2 USB-C ports with DisplayPort 2.1 and power delivery. Finally, the XPS 13 comes with a 52Whr battery, providing up to 17 hours of charge and is compatible with the included 65W charger.

It will start at only US$ 599 for eligible students.

Computex 2026

The new NVIDIA RTX Spark laptops are AI PCs on steroids

Published

June 2, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

“Useful AI has arrived,” NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang proclaimed in his monumental keynote speech to kick off COMPUTEX 2026, essentially admitting to the state of AI prior to today. But don’t let the past mess with how you view the present. AI today, according to the graphics-turned-AI company, will now serve everyday users, rather than procuring abstract and intangible benefits. For us normal people, it all starts with the new RTX Spark.

Rarely does a new product claim to reinvent the entire industry. Confident in its own abilities, that’s just what the RTX Spark wants to do. But what is it exactly?

Think of it like Microsoft’s Copilot+ PCs but on AI-powered steroids. NVIDIA wants to bring the power of a supercomputer into the hands of regular consumers, just like how the personal computer (PC) brought gigantic computers to the comfort of everyone’s homes.

Co-engineered with Microsoft, RTX Spark will run autonomous AI agents the entire day. The agent is tied to you and your intent but will orchestrate all your devices under one roof.

Let’s get down to the nitty-gritty. The new series will leverage a Blackwell RTX GPU and a 20-core Grace CPU from MediaTek. It can also support up to 128GB of unified memory, delivering several of the most powerful (and most expensive) PCs available to consumers today. With the capabilities comparable to an RTX 5070, the series can supposedly play modern games with ease.

Inside, it will come with CUDA, the trove of information that powers AI technology today. Finally, despite how slim NVIDIA promises the series will be, the RTX Spark should come with a battery that lasts the entire day.

The first NVIDIA RTX Spark laptops will launch later this fall with six premium laptops for various brands. This, along with the 30 models launching soon after, will include Acer, ASUS, Dell, HP, Lenovo, and MSI. No word yet on how much these will cost, though.