Microsoft Surface Book 13.5-inch (1st gen, 2015/2016)

70% of the reviews on Amazon.co.uk give this product a positive rating.

65% of the reviews on Amazon.com give this product a positive rating.

33% of the reviews on Amazon.ca give this product a positive rating.

Futuristic design Unrivaled display Seamless tablet separation

Battery life falls well below promises Major updates are still in tow

While the Surface Book brings many technological innovations to the laptop space, its greatest strength is that it's just an all-around terrific device.

Vastly improved graphics ; Huge battery life gains ; Still pulls off slick design

Big starting price for tiny storage/RAM

The starting price is an awful lot for what’s on offer, but the upgraded Surface Book with Performance Base turns out to be one of the ultimate laptops (and tablets) for creative professionals – perhaps better even than the new MacBook Pro.

Awesome power ; Completely flexible ; Genuinely innovative hinge

Do you really need the tablet? ; Rather expensive ; The grey attracts marks

Clever combination of tablet-style screen and powerful laptop/keyboard sections, muscle wire release system, great keyboard experience, funky hinge mechanism ensures firm/weighted laptop positioning

Hinge fairly upright at maximum and reverse position not solid enough, weighty, expensive, would like a smaller version (more Surface like), combined battery not as claimed (around 8-hours average)

So is the Microsoft Surface Book odds-on favourite for best in its class? In one sense, yes, because it's well conceived and potentially ultra-powerful hybrid device with a great screen and release mechanism.

In my eyes, either the Dell XPS 13 or XPS 15 are better buys at this kind of price range, but if you have the budget and the wanton need for such a lavishly luxurious device, the Surface Book certainly won’t disappoint.

Improved speed, graphics and battery life in a similar, crisp design. Detachable tablet comes included, as does the Surface Pen. Has USB ports and SD card slot.

It's also slightly thicker and heavier than last year's version, and retains the odd gap on the folding hinge. Expensive compared to other options. Doesn't meet minimum specs for VR gaming.

The design remains mostly unchanged, but PC power users will like the extra power and battery life on the updated 2016 version of the Surface Book.

Versatile design w/ great keyboard ; Exceptional performance ; Stunning display

Awkward hinge design ; Expensive ; Heavy

The Surface Book is a valiant first foray into the realm of laptop computing hardware from Microsoft. It’s a decidedly unusual setup that works surprisingly well, with an emphasis on being a laptop first and a tablet second – essentially the reverse of...