Jan 21, 2017 10:43 PM EST By Ivy Greene, UniversityHerald Reporter

Microsoft calls their Surface Book the ultimate laptop. Now, fans can seem to wait for the release of Microsoft Surface Book 2 to get some firsthand experience of its new updates and features and compare it to its forerunner.  

What could fans expect from the release of Microsoft Surface Book 2?

Most powerful Surface Book

Microsoft's first laptop came out in 2015, dubbed as the most powerful by the company by Microsoft. Does this make the sequel an even better one? The Surface Book surprised consumers with a detachable screen, Surface Pen support, Intel Skylake dual-core processors, and Windows 10 Professional. One can't help but ask, has the new model addressed the "Dynamic Fulcrum Hinge" issue? Not to mention the gap formed when the laptop is closed. Another concern is the "Clipboard" tablet portion of the device having low battery life, and the pricing leaning towards the higher end.

What makes it unique from its predecessor

The Surface Book 2 starts to retail at $1,499, the same as its former model's per Microsoft's official website. What makes it different this time? According to Tech Radar, consumers can expect a better screen. The current model has a 13.5-inch panel with a 3,000 x 2,000 (267 ppi) resolution, backed by an integrated Intel HD Graphics 520 GPU. The new model may use the same-sized screen but offer a more conventional 4K resolution: 3,840 x 2,160.

Other expectations and release date

Having mentioned the better screen, Microsoft Surface Book 2 will definitely need better battery support. The original's battery lasts for 4 hours, with activity in the Clipboard and 8 hours in the base (based on Tech Radar's tests).

Also notable to look into is battery support for a built-in recharge dock for the Surface Pen. If a recently leaked patent filing is to be believed, Microsoft may have an improved Surface Pen loop coming our way soon. It would not only hold the Surface Pen, but simultaneously charge it through the USB port on supported Surface devices.

Microsoft has not announced an official release date for the Microsoft Surface Book 2, as the company has instead announced details about the Surface Book i7 at their October 26 Windows 10 event.

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