Microsoft confirms surface book 2s power problem the verge. How to disable the discrete gpu on microsoft surface book. The extra space in the keyboard is then packed with batteries. On october 26, 2016, microsoft announced an updated surface book with a new nvidia geforce gtx 965m gpu and additional battery life over the original. This is paired up with an integrated intel hd 620 gpu, again a generational bump up from the integrated hd 520 of the surface book. The new microsoft surface book may only be a simple iteration of last years beloved tablet newcomer, but it packs some powerful upgrades. While the surface pro 4 is an incredible light and portable device, nothing comes close. With its base attached, the surface book 2 will run all day and then some.
Typing on the surface book is a weird experience at first. Announced on october 6, 2015 at microsofts event in new york city, the surface book is the first 2in1 laptop ever built by microsoft. Weve tested hundreds of laptops to find the ones that last the longest between charges. I then went out and spent a good 4 or 5 hours away from home. Microsofts surface book 2 drains the battery while gaming, even when plugged in. We have both the surface pro 4 and surface book in house right now.
The surface book is a 2in1 pc designed and produced by microsoft, part of the companys surface line of personal computing devices. Another feature that the book has over the surface is battery life. When it comes to battery life, the surface books two batteries surely give out plenty of juice for the machine to run. Comparing performance and battery in the surface laptop. Microsoft surface book features the 6th gen intel core i5 processor, nvidia geforce gpu with 8gb memory and a 128gb solid state drive. We appreciate the hard work and engineering that went into the creation of the surface book 2. Dont be left without juice just when you need it most. Microsoft surface book with performance base gtx 965m.
Testing consisted of full battery discharge during video playback. The surface book is one of the most compelling products microsoft has released in several years and for the first time in decades, the companys first. Surface book 2 battery drain while gaming how i fixed. On my surface book 2 i7,5 model i can work all day without problems. Microsoft surface laptop vs surface book vs surface pro. I use my surface for 6 hours of class every day starting at 8am note taking, and the screen is always on and by the end itll still have about. Rightclick the start icon, and go to device manager.
Take a closer look at how surface book 2 is the ultimate laptop for running office apps and demanding graphics software. So i have been working hard trying many different things in order to fix my horrible battery life. Ultimate tips to max out microsoft surface battery life. Microsofts surface book 2 drains the battery while gaming, even. The surface book 2 changes this equation, but only slightly. Surface book 2 battery drain while gaming how i fixed the issue. What i am experiencing, however, is severe battery draining while doing simple tasks. Mostly office work and running the occassional vm in the background. The surface books battery life reflects its focus on being a laptop first, tablet second. Cant speak for the nodgpu model, but i can tell you that microsoft isnt lying about 12 hours of life on my dgpu model. While the laptop 2 will go an impressive 14 hours between charges, the book can, in theory, get up to 17. Battery life on the surface book is both pretty good and surprisingly disappointing. The surface book packs an intel 6th gen skylake dualcore processor into a magnesium casing with a silver finish.
With a dedicated gpu, naturally the first tests we conducted were gaming. It took a few hours of typing to get used to it, and now when i. Battery life on surface book 2 hello everyone, i recently purchased a microsoft surface book 2 for college. Take a closer look at how surface book 2 is the ultimate laptop for running office 2 apps and demanding graphics software. Still unique and still blazing fast microsofts interpretation of a laptop offers incredible battery life and classleading graphics performance. Microsoft is selling a larger 15inch version with a gtx 1060 gpu. The keyboard contains a second battery, a number of ports and an optional discrete. The surface book s battery life reflects its focus on being a laptop first, tablet second. Testing was conducted by microsoft in october 2017 using a preproduction intel core i5, 256gb, 8 gb ram device. Microsofts new surfaces are awesome, but maybe you arent sure which one to go with. Microsoft launches less expensive flagship surface book.
First, when sleeping, my surface book would drain large amounts while asleep. In the device tree, locate and expand the display adapters. Battery life not as advertised windows central forums. The second generation of the microsoft surface book, the surface book 2, features vastly more graphics horsepower and battery life than its alreadyimpressive predecessor. Testing conducted by microsoft in october 2017 using preproduction intel core i7, 512gb, 16 gb ram dgpu device. The surface book really is the ultraportable that can do it all. With a dedicated gpu, naturally the first tests we conducted were gaming ones. When microsoft announced its refreshed surface book 2 last week.
Rightclick on nvidia geforce gpu, and select disable device. The upgraded ultimate laptop delivers up to 16hour battery life, and integrated geforce gtx 965m gpu provides more powerful graphic performance. I put my surface pro x to sleep after writing an article in the morning with battery life at 74%. Microsoft brags up to 17 hours of battery life from the 15inch surface book 2 over local video playback. Now i know some people have complained about battery drain problems while gaming, but i am not experiencing that. That means that unless you fire up the nvidia gtx 1050 gpu in the base, you.
Comparing performance, battery life and more microsofts surface laptop with intels core i7 processor is. Without a discrete gpu, the surface book is likely to get moderately better battery life and will run a bit cooler. Since we have received both the core i56300u model, as well as the core i7 6600u model with the discrete nvidia gpu, both devices have. Is this due to the dgpu using more power or the base having more actual physical battery capacity due to the extra room. It has the same modern, innovative design as the last version, but with an 8th gen intel cpu and optional nvidia geforce gtx 1050 gpu. The new surface book scores big points for improved gpu performance and even better battery life, but older components, high. The answer lies in who the surface book is for, and its certainly not for everybody.
Since we have received both the core i56300u model, as well as the core i76600u model with the discrete nvidia gpu, both devices have. Its got great performance, strong battery life and a gorgeous. While microsoft has promised 12 hours of continual usage and other outlets report getting even more juice out of the machine, our best time for the device was 7 hours and 39 minutes. While the surface pro 4 is an incredible light and portable device, nothing comes close to the versatility of the surface book. Battery life on surface book 2 microsoft community. Nvidias optimus technology should mitigate these issues in a geforceequipped. Keep in mind any other high performance option in the menu will affect battery life in some capacity if you can avoid it, do so. Up to 17 hours of battery life for local video playback. Otherwise, i highly recommend the surface book, especially to people who value performance, battery life and design above all else, even if it. It is ultrathin, meticulously crafted, with an incredible. Here is another approach to disable the discrete gpu on surface book and surface book 2 by using the device manager management console.
All of the competitors use intels integrated hd 620 graphics. Battery life varies significantly with settings, usage and other factors. Lisa gade revisits the microsoft surface book, microsofts first laptop thats also a tablet with pen. I have used several tools including powercfg options etc and noticed two main problems.
With up to 12 hours of video playback, the surface book has larger battery capacity compared to both sp 3 and sp 4, which can only push up to 9 hours of video playback. The surface book 2 manages to go really fast and yet last forever on a charge. Surface book is distinguished from other surface devices primarily by its fullsized, detachable keyboard, which uses a dynamic fulcrum hinge that expands when it is opened. The most notable change is an upgraded graphics processing unit, which makes the surface book with performance base more attractive for gamers, video editors, or cad whizzes who found last year. Surface book 2 performance, battery and conclusion. Battery life on the surface book is both pretty good and surprisingly. Having said that, the battery life of the surface book 2 remains very impressive. This is the ultimate tips to max out your microsoft surface battery life as long as possible when you are in the class, meeting or working on the site.
Surface book 2 battery drain while gaming how i fixed the issuebook2 close. I cant find a clear answer on this, but does the dgpu model have less battery life than the models without a gpu. Microsoft surface book with performance base wired. Theres not very much key travel, so the keyboard feels a little hard. Battery life and charge time the microsoft surface book. In this article, we will show you the three methods to disable your surface books discrete gpu so you can run any apps and games with the integrated graphics for better battery life. Microsofts surface book 2 drains the battery while gaming. In addition to surface studio, microsoft also announced new surface book i7 at yesterdays event. Hp spectre x360 15bl002xx asus ux310uqfc396t microsoft surface book with performance base apple macbook pro 2016 2. Using the detached tablet the battery life is the same as previously mentioned. Microsofts 15inch surface book 2 laptop suffers from battery drain during heavy gaming or gpu usage, a problem the verge first identified. Microsoft surface book i7 with geforce gtx 965m gpu and 16.