Is there a better alternative?

Do you care for a 2-in-1, or not?

　　If you do, then the Surface Book 2 has few competitors. Dell’s XPS 15 2-in-1 is a natural competitor. It’s also a decent system that performs well in many scenarios and will save you a few bucks. The screen does not detach, however, and its game performance and battery life are less impressive.

　　Lenovo’s Yoga 920 is another option, and comparable to both the 13-inch and 15-inch Surface Book 2, as its 13.9-inch screen splits the difference. It’s an extremely competent system, and much less expensive, but the Surface Book 2 is quicker and lasts longer on a charge.

　　Those who don’t care for a 2-in-1 may compare the Surface Book 2 to a variety of choices, from the Apple MacBook Pro 15 with Touch Bar to the excellent Dell XPS 15 notebook. Many of these will offer superior processor performance, but the coin is flipped when GPUs are compared, and these more conventional options can’t match the Surface Book 2’s flexibility.

　　

How long will it last?

The Surface Book 2 should last at least five years, thanks to its powerful hardware and contemporary features. We do wonder about the long-term reliability of the hinge mechanism, considering Consumer Report’s remarks about the Surface brand’s reliability, but we have no evidence it’ll pose a problem. The one year of warranty coverage might be industry standard, but as usual we wish it was longer.

　　

Should you buy it?

Yes. There’s a lot to love about the Surface Book 2, and very little to complain about. The system aced many of our tests and was a joy to carry day-to-day. That latter part is important. It’s a powerful 2-in-1 built for serious work, but it’s also fun off the clock. We can recommend not just to people who need a mobile workstation, or just people who want a tablet with pen support, but also to those who simply want the very best Windows device sold today – and don’t mind paying to get it.