Microsoft has confirmed a power issue with the Surface Book 2 hybrid laptop, which may cause the battery to drain, even when it’s plugged in to the mains.
Reviewers have noted the £1,500 device is susceptible to heavy drain if the laptop is set to max performance during gaming and other GPU-taxing experiences.
The laptop/tablet hybrid has an innovative Power Mode Slider that lets users ramp up the performance in times of need, but it turns out the feature isn’t without drawbacks.
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Speaking to The Verge, which noted the anomaly in its review, Microsoft admitted the issue, but pointed out the battery will never fully drain when plugged in.
“Surface Book 2 was designed to deliver unmatched power and performance for anyone who needs a powerful machine to work and create, making it a great option for STEM professionals (designers, developers, engineers),” a Microsoft spokesperson said.
“The Surface Book 2 Power Mode Slider is provided as a means to give the user control over the range of performance and battery life. In some intense, prolonged gaming scenarios with Power Mode Slider set to ‘best performance’ the battery may discharge while connected to the power supply provided in-box with Surface Book 2. However, through power management design, the battery will never drain entirely, ensuring that users are able to keep working, creating or gaming.”
Blow for gamers
Today’s report points out the Surface Book 2 charger simply doesn’t supply enough power to boost the battery life when all settings are pushed to maximum output.
While the laptop can draw 95w of power from the charger, the machine itself draws 105w while in best performance mode.
The issue is likely to affect gamers most of all, who may experience GPU throttling while attempting to max out performance.
Right now it doesn’t appear Microsoft is offering a solution for the issue, so it’s something to consider if you’re considering a purchase.
Are you reconsidering a Surface Book 2 purchase in light of these reports? Drop us a line @TrustedReviews on Twitter.
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Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.