Bigger and better: The 15-inch Surface Book 2 is now available in the UK

A larger version of the most powerful Surface device Microsoft has ever made can now be pre-ordered in the UK, the company has announced.

The 15-inch Surface Book 2 can be ordered from Microsoft’s online store in 17 additional countries, including the UK.

The device, which can be used as a laptop or tablet by connecting or detaching the keyboard, delivers almost seven million pixels, has up to five times the graphics performance of the original Surface Book, is twice as powerful as the new MacBook Pro and features up to 17 hours of battery life. However, it weighs just 4.2 pounds.

“Surface Book 2 removes the barrier between the desktop and the laptop by giving mobile professionals the power of a desktop, the versatility of a tablet, and the freedom of a light and thin laptop in one beautifully designed device,” said Panos Panay, Corporate Vice-President of Microsoft Devices. “Whether you’re a developer, a digital artist, a designer, or an accountant, you can bring your ideas to life anywhere, because Surface Book 2 is a portable powerhouse. We made no compromises building the most powerful Surface laptop ever.”

A 13-inch model weighing just 3.38 pounds was released in the UK in November.

Boasting 8th Gen Intel Core processors and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 and 1060 graphics options, both devices can run professional software like Adobe, Autodesk, and Dessault as well as Windows Mixed Reality experiences and popular games at 1080p and 60 frames per second – including Forza Motorsport 7 and Gears of War 4. Gamers can also connect Xbox controllers and headsets to the device.

“When you detach [the keyboard] to sketch an idea or watch a video, the Surface Book 2 turns into the world’s thinnest and lightest 8th Gen Intel Core i7 PC, giving customers a powerful portable studio for those who want a single, device that can follow you from concept to sketch to creation,” Panay added.

The Surface Book 2 also features USB-A, USB-C and full-size SD card reader ports.

Pre-orders for the 15-inch Surface Book 2, which starts at £2,349, are now available in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK.

Microsoft also revealed that Both sizes will soon be rolled out to Bahrain, China, Hong Kong, India, Italy, Korea, Kuwait, Malaysia, Oman, Portugal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates.