Is the Surface Book 2 just TOO expensive?

So, we now know many of the official details on the new Surface Book 2, including the specs and pricing. And it looks amazing. But it's also REALLY expensive, with the 13-inch version starting at around $1,500 and the 15-inch version going all the way up to $3,000. Yeah, $3,000 for a laptop is kind of ridiculous, right?

This really isn't anything new, of course. Microsoft's Surface line has always been pricey, but it also delivers an unparelled Windows experience. Is the new Book too expensive? A Windows Central poll found almost the exactly same percentage of people who plan to buy the Surface Book 2 ASAP said "no way, it's too expensive." What do you think?

I will get the 15" 16 GB 512 GB SB2

It is still cheaper and more powerful than comparable MacBook pros. I think that's what they are aiming for.

If it was higher prices than the first Book sold for maybe, but it's the same. Actually cheaper for what you get.

You get what you pay for.

All valid feedback. But do you need to spend $3,000 to get the same experience? Or are other comparable and cheaper Windows laptops close?

Well except the pen is extra $99.00.

The SB2 is pretty damned expensive, but so was the SB. As they said you pay for something that is pretty. What I like about the SB2 is it has the ability to take hand written notes/doodles which I actually carry around a regular notebook for, it'll be great for coding because of the screen ratio, and the power should have the ability to game anywhere. I just hope they update the Surface Dock with USB C, HDMI, and optical audio port.

yeah that's crazy they don't include the pen anymore

Originally Posted by Al Sacco

All valid feedback. But do you need to spend $3,000 to get the same experience? Or are other comparable and cheaper Windows laptops close?

I don't think anything else offers the same experience to be honest, it's the largest and most powerful 2 in 1 where the screen detaches from the keyboard.

It is very expensive, priced in a way that I won't be buying it, but I've spent over 2k on a laptop before.

First let them be able to release their hardware universally.

I will never trust on Microsoft's hardware anymore.
A lot of BUGS with hundred patch without fix it.

There's an Acer Swift 3 laptop reviewed by Windows Central earlier this week. It has largely the same specs as the bottom end SB2 any yet it's only a third of the price. I know people will say that better battery life, screen, styling and build quality etc are all worth a little bit extra, but this isn't a little bit, is it? Buy one if you want to, but Microsoft are taking you for a ride. You can find much better value elsewhere.

Originally Posted by Al Sacco

Is the new Book too expensive?

I am a product advisor and trainer for Surface and Windows OEM devices and can say that apart from the rare specs regarding CPU, GPU, RAM, and SSD storage all Surfaces surpass other PCs in nearly all other aspects. Their calibrated displays, optimised cameras, keyboard mechanics, touch and pen digitizers, choice of materials, additions like hall effect sensors and the range of ports for connectivity, available accessories, Win 10 Pro ... If you need or want to rely on these features this all sums up to a price point that I find very compelling to spec-wise comparable devices.

Yes.

I have spent months looking for a new laptop to upgrade from SP4 i7 16gb. I've tried (and returned) an XPS 13, Spectre x360, Yoga 720, MBP 15. None have offered the flexibility or overall quality of the Surface.

I am still looking now, and have considered so many options it's ridiculous. The spec for the 13.5 SB 2 just seem perfect. Yes it's expensive, but it hits literally everything I need for coding, writing, browsing, media. The only thing I wish it had was a tablet kick-stand - seems crazy I know but I love being able to prop up and take up minimal space (like the SP).

I'm fairly sure I will pre-order in a couple of weeks. Only other option for me right now is the Acer Switch 7, but no clue on pricing

Originally Posted by gerzhwin

I am a product advisor and trainer for Surface and Windows OEM devices and can say that apart from the rare specs regarding CPU, GPU, RAM, and SSD storage all Surfaces surpass other PCs in nearly all other aspects. Their calibrated displays, optimised cameras, keyboard mechanics, touch and pen digitizers, choice of materials, additions like hall effect sensors and the range of ports for connectivity, available accessories, Win 10 Pro ... If you need or want to rely on these features this all sums up to a price point that I find very compelling to spec-wise comparable devices.

With all due respect, you'd be pretty crap at your job if you didnt say what you said.

Microsoft are a client of mine and I can safely say that Surface has had issues (most machines do) and like someone above said, it takes them a long time to patch things up. As for the question. Absolutely it is too expensive, but they have to as they want to be premium and compete (and better) the Apple machine. Have to say that Apple have really dropped the ball, the hay days of Job are gone and the wolves are out.

I love it. I've been a Surface user since it's first tablet came out in 2012. I'm currently a Pro 4 user and it's the best device Windows device I've ever had. As far as the new Surface Book, yeah, it's tempting. I absolutely love the bigger 15" one. And yeah, even thought I can buy one right now, I don't need it because my Surface Pro 4 get the job done for me, and I use it more in Tablet form. But if I decide between now and Christmas or right after the new year that I want one, I will most certainly buy one. It is by far one of the best Windows machines out there.

No, the device is priced right. I think most of the people looking at this laptap do not need it. This device is best suited for professionals in video, graphics, CAD, or gamers. If all you do is check social media, email, and stream Netflix, then you should be looking at the surface laptop or surface pros. Our IT has to configure our laptops and we end up with similar specs for about 2500 and we end with these tank looking laptops that I never want to take with me. Microsoft has created a device that fills our needs and actually is something I would carry with me. The reality is this too much computer for most and should be marketed more at enterprise or gamers

In an effort to create attractive devices, I think it's too much "Form over Function." The lack of upgrade-ability and non-replaceable batteries makes the new devices too disposable in my opinion. Which is probably why Microsoft has that "Surface as a Service" lease program.

The simplest answer for me is -- would the cost keep me from buying it? And the answer is, no. I'm a college teacher and musician -- I use my computer for hours a day and don't want any compromises. There is no benefit for me to cut corners, get an under-performing computer that doesn't do what I need to save some money.

The SB2 is missing a pretty big technological component when asking this much price wise. Yes it finally has USB Type-C, but its only USB 3, not Thunderbolt3. That puts it in a pretty huge disadvantage against other modern laptops (including the MacBooks) that can utilize an eGPU dock for a bump in graphic performance, increased IO connections + charging with a single cable. Yes it has a midrange laptop GPU, but that's still pretty anemic compared to what can be achieved with an eGPU enclosure with a Desktop grade GPU.
I was waiting for this announcement, but as it stands I just purchased a HP Spectre X360 15t (15", 8th Gen i7, 16GB, 512GB SSD, GTX 1050 GPU, Pen Support, Thunderbolt3) for $1600. Around $1000 cheaper AND works with my Desktop eGPU dock.
Maybe next year Microsoft...

I think the 15" laptop at $3000 is comparable to gaming laptops/desktops with 1060 GPU cards. It's cheaper than a similar spec'd MacBook Pro with a more powerful GPU and can function as a 2 in 1. It also can replace an Xbox S with the specs for gaming. Let's not forget the VR.

With cell phones Cracking the $1000 mark I would say that double the price for a laptop is reasonable. You get a longer lifecycle and can do so much more on a PC.

I suspect most people will get the mid size versions of the 13 & 15".

Originally Posted by Mr_Armageddon

I was waiting for this announcement, but as it stands I just purchased a HP Spectre X360 15t (15", 8th Gen i7, 16GB, 512GB SSD, GTX 1050 GPU, Pen Support, Thunderbolt3) for $1600. Around $1000 cheaper AND works with my Desktop eGPU dock.
Maybe next year Microsoft...

The Spectre x360 15t has a GeForce MX150, not a GTX 1050. Significant difference. That said, I'd say it's the best overall competition to the SB2 13-inch. The GTX 1060 in the SB2 15-inch puts it in another class entirely, though. Agreed that Thunderbolt 3 was a big ommission, but it's a bigger issue for the SB2 13 than it is for the 15 -- but note, I'm pretty sure the Thunderbolt 3 in the Spectre x360 15 (not the 13) is only two channels, not four, and so external GPU performance might be a little limited.

I have always seen Surface as a product that shows the world it is better than the Macs. And it competes at high prices like the Macs. So Surface is there to prove it's better than the Macs and then the oems need to prove they are better than the surface. I just don't see MS ever lowering the price and undercutting their oems. The Porsche book came after the surface and was a way better design with intense features and was cheaper. MS has to position itself at the highest price category.