Does Surface Laptop 2 have USB-C and Thunderbolt 3?

All-time answer: Sadly, Microsoft did not include Thunderbolt iii or USB-C support in the new Surface Laptop 2. Luckily, in that location are many alternatives.

Dell: Dell XPS 13 (From $810)
HP: HP Spectre x360 (From $950)

Why no USB-C or Thunderbolt iii for Surface Laptop two?

Microsoft is oft criticized for its dismissal of USB-C, touting its own Surface Connect Port for things similar docks and extra ports, such as Microsoft'southward own Surface Dock. Frustratingly, information technology prevents the Surface Laptop 2 and similarly USB-C-less Surface Pro six from accessing external GPUs, which would vastly increase the usefulness of those devices, particularly as a true desktop replacement.

Microsoft tends to refer to market place demand for USB-C when defending its lack of support for the input. Information technology's certainly true that other, older standard USB ports are more widespread, particularly when it comes to legacy devices. However, USB-C and particularly Thunderbolt 3 are far more useful and versatile that Microsoft could really be doing more to push button the tech, sporting vastly higher bandwidth. That said, Thunderbolt iii tends to be more than costly to implement than old-school USB ports, which would undoubtedly bulldoze the price of the Surface Laptop upwardly even more than. Intel dropped the licensing fee associated with Thunderbolt 3's implementation, though, in an attempt to improve adoption. So far information technology seems to accept helped with almost every OEM ... except for Microsoft.

Microsoft isn't ignoring USB-C completely though, including information technology in its Surface Book 2 and upcoming Surface Studio 2. In that location's even so no support for Thunderbolt three, though, and that'southward frustratingly.

Best alternatives

While nosotros wait for Microsoft to get with the programme, in that location are many great alternatives worth your consideration if yous demand Thunderbolt 3-powered USB-C ports. These are a couple of our favorites.

XPS 13 brings some thunder(bolt)

Dell XPS thirteen

Thin and light, sleek and sexy.

Dell has been bringing fire (and thunder) to its laptop lineup as of late, and its Dell XPS thirteen is widely regarded equally one of the best 13-inch laptops out there. With a huge array of configuration options, fifty-fifty the cheapest model comes with two Thunderbolt 3-enabled USB-C ports which support power delivery and external GPUs. This device is well worth your consideration.

The Dell XPS 13 more than closely matches the Surface Laptop 2'southward form cistron, only if you're interested in spending a fiddling more than for additional features like inking and multiple display configuration modes, check out the versatile HP Spectre x360.

Go 360 degrees (with inking)

HP Spectre x360

More flexibility.

If y'all're interested in something with a little more than flexibility, consider the HP Spectre x360. It rocks Thunderbolt 3 ports in addition to a 360 hinge, making it ideal for inking and art piece of work.

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