Microsoft 13.5" Book 2 13.5in Review

The renewed Microsoft Surface Book 2 is a budget-friendly way into a premium 2-in-1 Windows tablet. Its Intel Core i5 handles everyday tasks well, and the 13.5" screen is fantastic, but the graphics are very weak and it's a several-year-old design. At under $250, it's a great deal if you need Windows in this form factor and don't mind the compromises.

Looking at a renewed Microsoft Surface Book 2 for under $250? It's a unique proposition. This isn't your typical tablet; it's a full Windows 10 Pro laptop with a detachable 13.5-inch screen. You're getting a 7th-gen Intel Core i5, 8GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD, which is a solid foundation for basic tasks. The real draw here is the form factor and that high-resolution PixelSense touchscreen, which makes it a versatile 2-in-1 for someone who wants a laptop that can also be a tablet for reading or sketching. Just know you're buying into a design that's several years old now, and that comes with some trade-offs.

The performance story is a tale of two halves. The CPU, an Intel Core i5-7300U, actually scores in the 84th percentile in our database for this category. That means for everyday stuff like web browsing, office apps, and media playback, this thing still feels plenty snappy. Where it falls off a cliff is graphics. The integrated Intel HD Graphics 620 lands in the 7th percentile. So, if you're wondering 'is the Surface Book 2 good for gaming?' the answer is a firm no, beyond very light or old titles. It's a productivity and consumption machine, not a creative or gaming powerhouse. Battery life is middle-of-the-road at the 49th percentile, so the advertised 'up to 17 hours' is a best-case scenario you likely won't hit with real use.

At around $238 for a renewed model, the value is hard to ignore if you specifically want this form factor. You're getting a well-built machine with a great screen and a capable CPU for the price of a budget Chromebook. The catch is you're accepting older tech, weak graphics, and a used product. For the same money, a new base-model iPad or Android tablet will feel faster for apps and media but can't run full Windows software. It's a niche value play.

Let's name names. Compared to a modern iPad Pro, the Surface Book 2 loses badly in raw speed, battery life, and app optimization for tablet use. But it runs full Windows, which is a deal-maker for some. Against a newer Surface Pro, you lose out on portability and modern CPU efficiency, but you gain that built-in, superior keyboard. The most interesting comparison might be to a Lenovo Idea Tab Pro. You'd get a newer, sharper screen and likely better battery life, but again, you're in Android-land, not Windows. For under $250, if you need Windows in a 2-in-1, there aren't many direct competitors.

Skip this if you need to do anything graphics-intensive like photo editing, video work, or gaming. Creative professionals and gamers should look elsewhere. Also, if all-day, unplugged battery life is your top priority, modern tablets and laptops will serve you better. Anyone wary of buying renewed tech or who wants the latest and lightest hardware should consider a newer Surface Pro or an iPad instead.

Should you buy this? Only with very clear expectations. If you need a portable Windows machine for writing, web browsing, and light office work, and you love the idea of detaching the screen to use as a tablet for reading or watching shows, this is a compelling budget option. The build and screen quality punch above its price tag. But if you need any kind of graphics performance, want all-day battery life, or prefer a newer, lighter design, you should skip it. This is a specific tool for a specific user.