Will Microsoft’s Surface Book 2 Outshine Apple’s New MacBook Pro?

Microsoft made a decent splash with the Surface Book, which was released in October of 2015. At the time of its release, CNET gave the Surface Book four stars.

“The Microsoft Surface Book packs high-end components, including new Intel processors and optional Nvidia graphics, into a smart, slim body. Some components and most of the battery are hidden in the base, so the tablet half is lighter. The high-res screen looks great, and the included stylus pen is excellent.”

However, CNET, as well as others, noted that there were some first generation bugs, and some buyers said their Surface Book was almost unusable until this spring, when Microsoft released updated drivers and a firmware upgrade. Now, consumers are looking forward to the Surface Book 2. According to Vine Report, the next generation Surface Book looks to be a great upgrade.

“Microsoft is set to release a new Surface Book, called the Surface Book 2, and it is expected that the device would be delivering improvements on both its hardware and design. In terms of power and specs, it is expected that the upcoming Surface Book 2 laptop/tablet hybrid would be running under the new Intel Kaby Lake series of chipsets.”

The article adds that Microsoft will also be ditching the hinge that caused a lot of problems with the first generation device, even though Microsoft had claimed the hinge was necessary to separate the screen from the rest of the notebook. It will be replaced with a more refined Dynamic-Fulcrum hinge. Others say that at least one version of the Surface Book will have a 4K screen and a higher-end version that will be VR- capable. It’s quite possible that the Surface Book 2 will be released by the end of the year, but most sources have it being released during the spring of 2017.

The Surface Book 2 is causing a lot of excitement on Twitter.

I'm seriously so excited for a Surface Book 2 release. LSoo excited. I'd probably pray an extra K to get one now.

— Alan ???? (@alanaktion) April 5, 2016

I want whatever the surface book 2 will be.

— ChuckR (@chuckguy55) March 18, 2016

Microsoft will face a lot of competition from Apple, who is said to be releasing the updated 2016 MacBook Pro soon. Apple hasn’t significantly upgraded the MacBook Pro since 2012, and according to Bloomberg, that is all about to change.

“Apple Inc. is preparing the first significant overhaul of its MacBook Pro laptop line in over four years, according to people familiar with the matter, using one of its older products to help reverse two quarters of sliding sales.”

The updated notebooks will be thinner, will include a touch screen strip, and contain more powerful and efficient graphics processors. The new notebooks have been in advanced testing since early this year and are expected to be released during the fourth quarter. However, the 2016 MacBook Pro likely won’t be announced on September 7 like the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus will be.

After an article on Mac Rumors that quotes Bloomberg’s article, the commenters are very excited.

“Gonna be an expensive end to the year. iPhone 7, Apple Watch 2 and a new MacBook Pro,” says SMIDG3T

“We’re getting closer. I can almost taste it,” claims Dydegu.

The new MacBook Pro couldn’t come at a more important time for Apple, which has been seeing a sales decline of all its products. As the Telegraph recently pointed out, Apple’s profits have fallen for the second consecutive quarter.

Microsoft Surface Book 2 Will Come With Better Specs And Redesigned Hinge, But Can It… https://t.co/uxWpajU5C2 pic.twitter.com/hkdPDcwgMK

— MOBIPICKER.COM (@MOBIpicker) August 22, 2016

“On Tuesday night, the company reported a 27pc decline in quarterly profits and a slide in revenue, as it struggled to boost sales of the iPhone almost 10 years after it was released.”

The article notes that Apple also predicts sales would fall in the next quarter and that this has presented the biggest challenge to CEO Tim Cook since Steve Jobs died five years ago. Several have opined that Tim Cook needs to go, but others say Apple is just in a short-lived slump. Still, it will be interesting to see if the company can make a comeback this fall with the release of not only the MacBook Pro 2016, but the iPhone 7 and Apple Watch 2 as well.

[Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images]