Microsoft Surface Book 2: Surface Dock, 2 x LG 34″ displays

I recently switched to the Microsoft Surface Book 2, and I really like it. I got the Surface Dock and have it working with 2 large external displays, wired Ethernet, and a keyboard and mouse. Is this too good to be true?? 

The 15″ model works for me because I sometimes need to do prolonged processing (the fan and slightly-faster GPU will make a difference); the 13″ should be totally fine for most people. The pen works well, and although the experience isn’t close to writing on paper, but I can draw a quick illustration or mark something up.

I used to use a Razer Blade for work, and it sounded like a jet. I literally had to place it under the table during conference calls because it was so disruptive. Also, the Windows Fall Creators Update, which I needed for Linux Subsystem support, seriously borked the Razer’s trackpad and keyboard, and it has been 6 months without a fix. Razer actually suggested rolling back to a prior version of Windows. I resorted to carrying a wireless mouse around in my backpack / jacket pocket, and that led to a lot of accumulated resentment over the months. (more info about this here and here).

I don’t miss the MacBook Pro at all. The keyboard was bad, the COURAGE of (lack of) port selection an absolute nightmare, and OS X has become sufficiently complicated and issue-ridden that it isn’t significantly a better experience than is using Windows.

Surface Book 2 tips

If you get a Surface Book 2, check out this analysis, which will help you to undervolt it and get it running cooler. I can barely hear the fans even when it’s going at full CPU / GPU.

The Surface Book 2 will power a single 4K UHD display at 60Hz and 2 x 4K UHD displays at 30Hz. However, I’ve discovered that it will power 2 x 34″ LG displays at 3840 x 1440 @60Hz, which is what my setup looks like.

Also, if your display only supports HDMI inputs (my secondary inputs are HDMI), The Plugable Active Mini DisplayPort to HDMI 2.0 Adapter is a good adapter, and is working well in my system. The market is flooded with cheap adapters, and it is notoriously difficult to find one that works.

Also, make sure you use high-quality HDMI 2.0a cables (this $10 cable works). I had problems with my Surface Dock when I used random cables.