Just got my new Surface Book with Performance Base!

It makes a little bit of noise when the hinge 'unfurls', but it doesn't make a creak or a squeak sound.  

It did get faster to like 2000 read and 1100 write  

What about battery life ? Is it still not optimized as it is on my SB ? Microsoft should do something to poor battery life on its products  

I'm using edge. I've also changed settings to make Windows eat less battery as possible. No luck. Surface and Windows 10 subreddit seem blind About that, if I write something about battery like I've done right now, they behave like Apple's fanboys downvoting my "negative" post to hell. I don't know if people are happy about poor battery life and battery drain during sleep. They probably never owned a MacBook.. people like me that need long battery life, Windows is not the right option..  

I tried to play the only game I play, Cities Skylines, and it performed well, but definitely got warm and the fan is pretty loud. In other situations it is dead silent.  

Samsung SM951  

Mine generates a good amount of heat in the screen when using photoshop, but the keyboard has been extremely cool so far for me.  

From what I gather that's pretty "normal". When I bought my SurfaceBook, I had to swap it out 3 times for other issues and found the creakyness was pretty much there on all of them to various degrees.  

That's my point. You're *exclusively* referencing SB problems and then concluding that "all Windows machines" must have bad battery life and that everyone who doesn't complain has never owned a Macbook. You're generalizing and making huge assumptions. What you can realistically say is that you've noticed battery issues with your Surface Book and noticed it in reviews as well, so it's likely a recurring problem with at least one model or configuration of SB. You can't say that because some SBs have subjectively bad battery life that this means the thousands of Windows machines, including those made by the huge variety of different manufacturers, must also have the exact same problem.  

Thanks! Is the keyboard worse than the original SB. Any other things that did not meet your expectations?  

Well, actually on my "complaints" made in Surface and Windows 10 subreddits, I wasn't saying what I said here, I was just saying that battery drain during sleep is something normal for a Windows machine (because of the connected standby mode that keeps the device a little "awake" ) and I suggested a different and a new mode for that, but I got downvoted from those who think that battery drain is a normal thing (so I guess they never owned a MacBook because this wasn't a problem). I also noticed that battery life in Windows machines barely get over the 6-7 hours of normal use, while the Macbooks have around 10 hours (12 in MacBook airs), so I think that battery life in Windows still needs to be optimized. All my Windows laptops , with a normal usage of web browsing , Always last something close to 5 hours. my SB goes from 5 to 8 maximum (when I'm not doing anything, just 1 tab opened in Edge and pdf reader). If you search on the internet "Windows 10 battery issue" you see such a huge amount of posts that you don't know where to start, so maybe that's a real problem....but I'll never understand all these downvotes, seriously ..I like Surfaces and Windows but this battery problems are a pain in the ass (for people like me that need long battery life)  

So that is the gaming/desing powerfull Surface device that everyone was waiting for... It is so sexy  

Really?  Aside from the "dish" effect caused by the thicker performance base, wherein the keyboard is recessed in the base, I was not aware of any other changes.  The spacing between keys and they key mechanisms looked to same to me.  

I really like the chunkier keyboard on this model. The one thing that throws me off about my Surface Book is the fact that the keyboard just feels too thin at times, like when I pick it up and move the computer to another room or switch couches. The keyboard should at least be the same thickness as the Clipboard.      

I'm pretty sure the keys themselves are identical to the original.

So, really quick, I'm actually a really big MS fanboy (Even my phone is a Lumia 950xl) so it kinda feels bad to me not to be in love with this device. So, maybe my expectations were too high. Also keep in mind my previous/current device was/is an SP3 and I *loved* it, so that's the experience I'm comparing too. A lot of this isn't bad, just different.

* On my SP3 I kind-of got into a seamless rhythm of using Pen/touch/mouse. (Trackpad on the 3 is terrible) On the book the trackpad is far superior, so good I don't even feel I need a mouse, but it's worse for using pen and touch on. The screen feels farther away (more reaching) and it bounces a lot whereas the kickstand on the Pro series makes those really solid when applying pressure.

* The pen only attaches to the left side? I'm right handed and reaching across the screen for it is awkward.
* Spongey keys. Unpopular opinion: I prefer typing on my SP3's type cover to this.
* All the lag from W10 OS is still here. I was hoping the spec boost would minimize this, but it certainly feels just as bad. (Have you ever had the start menu refuse to pop-up? Or often times it takes a full second to do so.)

* I knew going in that the tablet section didn't have much battery, but boy does it not have a lot of battery. Tablet battery also does not charge from the base. Also, normal use with the top attached will still drain the tablet's battery. (for some reason.)

* Battery life in general does not seem as outrageously good as advertised. I can *probably* take this to work without a charger, but I don't think I'd want to risk it. (The estimate is insanely inaccurate btw. Right now it says 1hr 46min left with 50% battery remaining. I have 4 tabs of edge open and nothing else.)

I'm being incredibly nit-picky, but for 3 grand I kind-of feel entitled to be so. :/ It *is* a great device. It looks great, I love the concept, I'm a big fan of the surface team... but I think I *may* be returning this and waiting to see how the Pro 5 turns out.

P.S. The Surface Dial is enjoyable.  

I know what you mean, all of my machines had it to various degrees. I've definitely read about it in some threads since it came out. Unless it's extremely loud and sounds like something is seriously wrong, I would say don't worry about it.  

No problem. I'm not trying to dissuade you or anyone else. That's just my personal experience. I might just be more of a Surface Pro form factor kinda guy.  

My own experience with the non-Performance Base model has been in stark contrast to your experience. I'm curious as to whether your experience is indicative of the Performance Base model, or simply unique to yourself. Regarding your points:

1. I agree that it's too wobbly compared to the Surface Pro. I only use the pen while the top is detached or flipped around.

2. I also agree that it should be attachable to either side, but it's not a major inconvenience since I never use it while in laptop mode.

3. No spongey feel here. Lots of reports that it's unique to the Performance Base because there's less travel room under the keyboard.

4. I only experience lag when Battery Mode goes on the fritz and throttles the CPU too aggressively. Otherwise Windows 10 AU has been smooth as butter, and I'm running an i5 compared to your i7.

5. I was initially disappointed with the Clipboard's poor battery, but I would highly suggest turning on Battery Saver whenever you're not engaged in high performance activities. My Clipboard easily lasts about 5+ hours by itself, and 12+ hours when connected to the base. I bring my SB's charger to work, but so far I haven't had a need to use it since the battery easily lasts a whole work day while in Battery Saver mode. I'm currently at 60% and it's showing that I still have over 6 hours of battery left.  

I think 'Go' is the abbreviation for Gigabytes in Spanish  

I got mine and I'm blown away... This is literally the no compromise device I've been waiting for.

My Impressions:

* You need a light tablet.... sure pop it off and have this 1.6lb little unit to casually browse at home on the couch.

* You want to type... check got you covered. I do agree that the new base's keys feel a bit more spongey, but I like the feel, they also feel like they are rounded around the edges more so your fingertips fall right down into the key.

* You want to game? Well, I just turned on a few games and this thing literally runs about anything at full HD resolution at 60FPS+ Tombraider running at full high settings at 60FPS plus. I even turned on TressFX and everything!

* You need all day battery life? for people who do a lot of coding and text editing... or other things that really don't stress the cpu very much; I guarantee that if you are in a dim room working at low brightness this thing can get close to 20 hours. Obviously if you want to game or do more intensive things, battery life will be less time proportionally.

* You want to draw? - nothing new here, but you've got the pen and its a great experience as always.


All this in a small 3lb and change package.... I'm seriously giddy about this revision.


That said... Downsides:

* I still feel like microsoft needs to rework the rubber feet. I feel like the bottom of the base is scratching every time I set it down on a desk. It also slides very easily.

* The AC adapter is larger than the original Surfacebook with dGPU. Not a big deal, but it is quite a bit bigger.  

There is no difference in the key layout.  The reason you are making mistakes is because of the angle of the keyboard.  The V1 Surface Book is flat the Performance base is angled.  You have to reach up and out to get the keys you want whereas before you only had to reach out.  The up and out actually increases the distance and requires more effort from your hands.  

You're a fool.  First of all the claimed battery life of 16 hours is watching an optimized video and medium brightness only.  Second if you do anything more than watch a video you will get less life, around the 8-10 hours.  Third OF COURSE if you are doing web browsing and PHOTOSHOP which uses the dGPU you are going to get 5 hours or less.  This is true of ANY mobile device from ANY brand on the fricking planet.  I am so sick of idiotic people on the planet expecting physics to stop working because they think it should.  

I will agree with you on this. I have tried every battery saver me that I can find and it always ends up being about the same. I have a Surface Pro 4  

[deleted]