Please report more about the battery in real world use. How long does it last for a day? How hard does the performance drop when it’s not charging. The SLS2 is already so heavy so I just dont want to bring a charger with it all the time 😢
This video has been extremely informative. I have a Surface Book 3 15" with Nvidia Quadro RTX 3000 Max-Q. The specs for the initial Surface Laptop Studio didn't seem worthy of updating (which you've confirmed), particularly when you factor the device has no large size option, and less ports. This new SLS2 seems much more worthy of upgrading to, although I wish a 16" varient with full sized keyboard existed.
You can get the first SLS for less than 900$ now, it’s definitely an excellent value if you value the form factor but you don’t need all the power that SLS2 offers.
Can you run some tests using the TB4 dock? I believe it only pulls 100W of power and not the 120W that the Dock 2 or included power adapter pull. Wondering if this will cause throttling on the 4050 version
@@cbutters haha yes, I buy laptops all the time I just cannot get over this things performance , assassins creed mirage ultra setting at 2k resolution no problem, but needs a better pen and doesn’t make for the best “on lap” experience
I have the surface studio laptop 2, but with the 4050 GPU. Do you have any idea if it has power hungry differences? I was ordering a charger for it that is 100watt for travel.. So now I am second guessing if that's a bad idea, and not enough power.
Okay so enough specs and tests. Please help answer a few questions for a non-tech consumer like me: 1. Will the 4060 version be sufficient for 3D animation+ rendering? 2. How annoying are the fans when blowing at their loudest? Thanks!
1. Yes, if your workload fits inside 8GB. 2. If you're coming from a gaming laptop; you'll think its pretty quiet. If you're coming from an ARM Surface Pro X, you'll think its loud. I personally find the fans to have a really good noise profile even when they are ramped up.
Could you live with a USB-C dock / charger with the SLS2 (NVIDIA 40x0) as the max charging input is 100W? Do you expect throttling compared to using the Surface Dock 2 / 127W Surface charger?
Thanks for doing all this! Very informative. Given that the RTX 4050 version of the SLS2 is also set to 80W, how do you think it would perform compared to the 4060 model?
I didn't point it out vocally in the video, but you can see the 4050 line on the benchmark graphs, I'd expect it to follow those trend lines on the charts (Purple dots) So if the 4060 SLS2 is getting 10K timespy, the 4050 should get around 8K or so. A big consideration with the 4050 is the 6GB of ram vs. 8GB ram on the 4060.
Just wondering, were you able to find any information on undervolting or lowering temps on the surface laptop studio 1 besides repasting. Any cooling recommendations?
Should I buy the 4060 or 2000 ? Thought the 64 Ram is more valuable to have for day to day computing with many tabs open? Also, as consumer but that needs reliable and stable performance rather than high peak performance (thinking her of throttling if the machine heats up), any difference between the consumer vs business version of the Ms Surface Laptop Studio 2? Which one to prefer (ignore the price)? Many thanks.
heya. I wonder if you would mind testing a couple of minor things for me on the sls2 :) Wondering if there is any difference working on large photoshop or other graphic apps files from an Micro-sd card compared to working on them on main ssd? :)
Both monitors connect to integrated graphics. Based on my own testing, the 4050 performs slower when you have another display connected even though the display isn't using it.
Hey, does anyone know how to force Nvidia graphic drivers update? The version running on the SLS2 are now several months out of date and yet I can't simply download and install the latest version as they've not been 'signed' by Microsoft.
Looks like you won the silicon lottery with your unit. I'm only getting 8.5K on timespy with the best performance setting. Honestly, I didn't think 10K was possible since the Higher wattage G14/4060 was barley cracking 10K.
@@cbutters Still way better than my unit. Another thing I can't figure out is why does it perform better in "tent Mode"? There's nothing on the display that would make the cooling better. Unless I missed something, all cooling is in the bottom with the built-in cooling pad-ish build. Very weird. Either way, thanks for pointing that out.
Microsoft is super worried about people burning their hands or something... so if they know you aren't using the keyboard, (because the studio mode hides the keys) they will let the device use more power. I'm not exactly sure why the do it this way; they just do. Was the same on SLS 1@@RichCompMan
I’m having problems getting a high fps on games like Valorant, CS, and a few others. How can I improve it? I’m averaging 20 on CSGO low settings and 80-100 on Valorant
One thing that could position the SLS2 over competitors (ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED for instance) is if this manages thermals better. Any chance you could speak a bit about that when device is under load (stress test or game). What's the fan noise?
If you don't need the true tablet transform or enhanced pen capabilities. I think the Zenbook Pro 14 OLED is the best device in the class, It performs better than the SLS2 and has a few perks like mux switch, 4070 option and that OLED screen, not to mention higher wattage GPU and CPU, and almost a full pound lighter (and $1k cheaper!). The screen is gorgeous and the form factor as a notebook is perfect as I see it. I still highly recommend the Zenbook Pro 14 OLED
Thanks @cbutters, I would check for more comparison point between the two, maybe there are things that SLS2 could do better (while being slightly less performant)? Like being silent, or working with a TB4 dock that only provide 100W of power. I've read comments here and there but that would be awesome to push such comparison.
I’m having the issue that I can’t update my graphic drivers… it tells me that it isn’t compatible with my version of windows even though I didn’t do anything, just started it, updated windows and then tried the same with the drivers, any ideas?
I had the same issue. I uninstalled GeForce and the drivers, downloaded the drivers manually from Nvidia's website and did a clean install. Good after that.
Please report more about the battery in real world use. How long does it last for a day? How hard does the performance drop when it’s not charging. The SLS2 is already so heavy so I just dont want to bring a charger with it all the time 😢
I own the 4050 32gb model. At MOST, battery life is under 4 hours. If using moderately, more like 2.5 hours. Abysmal battery life. 😑
This video has been extremely informative. I have a Surface Book 3 15" with Nvidia Quadro RTX 3000 Max-Q. The specs for the initial Surface Laptop Studio didn't seem worthy of updating (which you've confirmed), particularly when you factor the device has no large size option, and less ports. This new SLS2 seems much more worthy of upgrading to, although I wish a 16" varient with full sized keyboard existed.
You can get the first SLS for less than 900$ now, it’s definitely an excellent value if you value the form factor but you don’t need all the power that SLS2 offers.
Can you run some tests using the TB4 dock? I believe it only pulls 100W of power and not the 120W that the Dock 2 or included power adapter pull. Wondering if this will cause throttling on the 4050 version
I have the exact same question!
What if you have two power adapters, the Surface power connector and the Surface Thunder port dock connected simultaneously. @@nokrome
my timespy on the z13 4060 is 9700 on average, so does that mean its smaller, cooled better, much cheaper and still runs faster than the studio 2
Sounds like a leading question XD but I think you're right.
@@cbutters haha yes, I buy laptops all the time I just cannot get over this things performance , assassins creed mirage ultra setting at 2k resolution no problem, but needs a better pen and doesn’t make for the best “on lap” experience
Thanks for the nice review. Which power bank do you suggest for the SLS2? UGREEN 145 has max 100w output! Does it work efficiently?
I have the surface studio laptop 2, but with the 4050 GPU. Do you have any idea if it has power hungry differences? I was ordering a charger for it that is 100watt for travel.. So now I am second guessing if that's a bad idea, and not enough power.
Okay so enough specs and tests. Please help answer a few questions for a non-tech consumer like me:
1. Will the 4060 version be sufficient for 3D animation+ rendering?
2. How annoying are the fans when blowing at their loudest?
Thanks!
1. Yes, if your workload fits inside 8GB.
2. If you're coming from a gaming laptop; you'll think its pretty quiet. If you're coming from an ARM Surface Pro X, you'll think its loud. I personally find the fans to have a really good noise profile even when they are ramped up.
Thanks for the detailed review.
Btw it looks like a grany's purse with these glossy lunar green wraps x)
Could you live with a USB-C dock / charger with the SLS2 (NVIDIA 40x0) as the max charging input is 100W? Do you expect throttling compared to using the Surface Dock 2 / 127W Surface charger?
Thanks for doing all this! Very informative. Given that the RTX 4050 version of the SLS2 is also set to 80W, how do you think it would perform compared to the 4060 model?
I didn't point it out vocally in the video, but you can see the 4050 line on the benchmark graphs, I'd expect it to follow those trend lines on the charts (Purple dots)
So if the 4060 SLS2 is getting 10K timespy, the 4050 should get around 8K or so.
A big consideration with the 4050 is the 6GB of ram vs. 8GB ram on the 4060.
Just wondering, were you able to find any information on undervolting or lowering temps on the surface laptop studio 1 besides repasting. Any cooling recommendations?
Should I buy the 4060 or 2000 ? Thought the 64 Ram is more valuable to have for day to day computing with many tabs open? Also, as consumer but that needs reliable and stable performance rather than high peak performance (thinking her of throttling if the machine heats up), any difference between the consumer vs business version of the Ms Surface Laptop Studio 2? Which one to prefer (ignore the price)? Many thanks.
heya. I wonder if you would mind testing a couple of minor things for me on the sls2 :) Wondering if there is any difference working on large photoshop or other graphic apps files from an Micro-sd card compared to working on them on main ssd? :)
how is the performance effected when you plug in a monitor or monitors?
Both monitors connect to integrated graphics. Based on my own testing, the 4050 performs slower when you have another display connected even though the display isn't using it.
The close $6k AUD is tough. Want one bad though.
I will probably have to stick with my 32gb ram, 2tb SLS 1 till the SLS 3 comes out with 128gb of ram for 8k AUD lololol
Where can i get this green wraps ? I could not find
Hey, does anyone know how to force Nvidia graphic drivers update? The version running on the SLS2 are now several months out of date and yet I can't simply download and install the latest version as they've not been 'signed' by Microsoft.
Looks like you won the silicon lottery with your unit. I'm only getting 8.5K on timespy with the best performance setting. Honestly, I didn't think 10K was possible since the Higher wattage G14/4060 was barley cracking 10K.
the 9997 timespy was with +200MHZ core and +300memory, stock was a 9387 Timespy.
@@cbutters Still way better than my unit. Another thing I can't figure out is why does it perform better in "tent Mode"? There's nothing on the display that would make the cooling better. Unless I missed something, all cooling is in the bottom with the built-in cooling pad-ish build. Very weird. Either way, thanks for pointing that out.
Microsoft is super worried about people burning their hands or something... so if they know you aren't using the keyboard, (because the studio mode hides the keys) they will let the device use more power. I'm not exactly sure why the do it this way; they just do. Was the same on SLS 1@@RichCompMan
What about the performance when the laptop is closed and connected to an external display through USB-C? Thanks a lot @cbutters !
What about a mux switch for full performance on the internal* monitor? First Gen was missing this feature so we didn't buy it.
Mux switch more helps the built in display, but no, none of the USB-C are connected directly to the NVIDIA GPU.
@@cbutters wack
I’m having problems getting a high fps on games like Valorant, CS, and a few others. How can I improve it? I’m averaging 20 on CSGO low settings and 80-100 on Valorant
i think you need to put on studio mode or tablet mode, because the high temperature the SLS2 drop the frame, unfortunately
One thing that could position the SLS2 over competitors (ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED for instance) is if this manages thermals better. Any chance you could speak a bit about that when device is under load (stress test or game). What's the fan noise?
If you don't need the true tablet transform or enhanced pen capabilities. I think the Zenbook Pro 14 OLED is the best device in the class, It performs better than the SLS2 and has a few perks like mux switch, 4070 option and that OLED screen, not to mention higher wattage GPU and CPU, and almost a full pound lighter (and $1k cheaper!). The screen is gorgeous and the form factor as a notebook is perfect as I see it. I still highly recommend the Zenbook Pro 14 OLED
Thanks @cbutters, I would check for more comparison point between the two, maybe there are things that SLS2 could do better (while being slightly less performant)? Like being silent, or working with a TB4 dock that only provide 100W of power. I've read comments here and there but that would be awesome to push such comparison.
Still no way to undervolt for better temps?
Just the GPU via undervolt curves in MSI afterburner.
I’m having the issue that I can’t update my graphic drivers… it tells me that it isn’t compatible with my version of windows even though I didn’t do anything, just started it, updated windows and then tried the same with the drivers, any ideas?
I had the same issue. I uninstalled GeForce and the drivers, downloaded the drivers manually from Nvidia's website and did a clean install. Good after that.
yeah - did that too - had to find out that i just had a faulty graphics card - returned it and got a new one - no problems since :D
@@bradm2734
the real messy is that gpu drop to 40w, worse than z13, you cant play for 15 minutes