Should you buy a Microsoft Surface Laptop in 2018?

Should you buy a Microsoft Surface Laptop in 2018?

The latest model of the Microsoft Surface Laptop was a necessary upgrade to keep the product in line with its peers at the price point. The second generation of this product is now available in a sleek black color in addition to the original Burgandy, Blue, and Grey. I fully expected the Surface laptop to include an upgraded screen, processor and USB-C, but this model skips out on two of the expected upgrades.

I was personally waiting on updating my PC to a Surface Laptop 2, but my next computer needs to have USB-C. I'm somewhat disappointed that Microsoft didn't take a step into the future with a USB-C or Thunderbolt 3 port because these are the new USB standards. Being able to charge my computer, use multiple screens, or connect my devices without additional dongles is important to me as a young professional. I do not want to carry adapters when I travel. I would be somewhat more receptive with the latest model if it included an HDMI port - I'm not opposed to hooking my laptop to TV's or monitors that way. I'm not a fan of Mini Displayport because I don't want to buy adapters.

One of the exciting changes Microsoft has made with the Gen-2 is doubling the amount of RAM included in the based model. 8GB is the baseline for any reliable laptop, paying to have more RAM is antiquated. The original Surface Laptop should have had 8 GB of RAM instead of 4 GB, to begin with. A minor update like this has finally made this laptop the idea PC for most consumers.

If you're a hypebeast like me, the $1,169.10 price of the Black 8 GB Surface Laptop 2 makes you question the value of the laptop. The price point of this PC makes it easy to consider other models of the Microsoft Surface line such as the Surface Book 2 or the Surface Pro 6. The $1,079.10 price of the base model Surface Book 2 is more attractive to power users and people wanting more bang for their buck. I'm not a fan of the Surface Pro form factor, but you should consider that product if you're looking for a simple device for streaming video, sending e-mails, or using social media. The Book 2 is built for the prosumer that's using applications such for programming, music and video production or light AUTOCAD work.

Microsft's choice of ports on the second generation is somewhat disappointing. Microsoft has improved the Surface Laptop 2 by increasing the basic RAM and updating the processor, but these are incremental upgrades. I expected the Surface Laptop 2 to re-imagine this product, but that probably won't happen until 2019. The Surface Laptop 2 might be a good fit for you and I encourage you to check the laptop out at your local Microsoft Store!