Should you buy a Surface Pen for the Surface Laptop 2?

All-time reply: No. There is nowhere to store the pen on a Surface Laptop 2, and since it lacks a 360-degree swivel, inking at an upwardly angle is a total pain. Y'all're far better off getting a 2-in-i like the Surface Pro 6 or Surface Go for inking.

Microsoft: Surface Pro 6 (From $810)
Amazon: Surface Go (From $460)
Microsoft: Surface Pen ($99)

The Surface Laptop ii just isn't good for inking

The Surface Laptop ii is a powerful, sleek, and sexy device, and while information technology does support inking, its course factor simply doesn't lend itself well to doing so.

The Laptop 2 has a fixed hinge that doesn't allow you lot to convert the laptop into a apartment configuration, not without angling the keyboard up in the air at least. The display does support inking with 4,096 levels of pressure consummate with tilt support, simply, the fact that yous tin can't lay the device out flat simply prevents information technology from being a pleasant experience. At best, y'all'll exist signing documents or perhaps annotating a picture show, just for that, you tin can purchase a inexpensive non-digital stylus or but utilize your finger.

Dissimilar the Surface Pro, Surface Book, and Surface Become, the Surface Laptop 2 doesn't even accept magnetized edges for storing the Pen, since it just kind of knows its not designed for frequent inking.

Thankfully, literally every other blazon of Surface not only has some form of flat screen configuration, but likewise includes magnetic storage for the pen. If you're going to get your ink on, expect elsewhere.

If you lot want a laptop-similar form factor with the option of inking, the Surface Book 2 should be your first consideration. Some configurations come with dedicated graphics too, allowing you to bask VR, higher-end gaming, and intensive programs such every bit Adobe Premiere. If you want something portable just powerful, the Surface Pro 6 features quad-cadre processing, wrapped in a tight form factor ideal for taking to academy or piece of work, while still packing plenty power to run high-stop programs and even 3D games. If you simply want inking without breaking the bank, the cheap and cheerful Surface Go might non be the most powerful device in this slice, merely information technology's pocket-size, sleek, and cheap, and is more than capable of running quality inking tools such equally Sketchable, Photoshop, and OneNote.

Our picks

If yous're interested in inking on a Surface device, there are a range of nifty alternatives built from the ground up with inking in mind.

Ink on the become

Surface Pen

Become your ink on.

If you want to do some Surface inking, so you lot're going to need the correct tool for the chore. The Surface Pen comes with a magnetized strip down one edge, designed to exist attached to the display on the Surface Book, Pro half dozen, and Surface Go. Each device sports 4,096 levels of force per unit area sensitivity consummate with tilt support, and a range of color options likewise.

Large Surface power

Surface Volume 2

Microsoft's well-nigh powerful laptop.

Microsoft'due south Surface Book 2 is an artist's powerhouse, with configurations powerful enough to support circuitous inking projects and even 3D graphics design owing to dedicated GPU options. The display tin can be discrete, reversed then airtight flat, making it a perfect portable canvas.

Surface for professional portability

Surface Pro 6

Powerful and mobile.

If the Surface Book 2 is too large and heavy for y'all, consider the tablet-like 2-in-1 Surface Pro 6. With powerful quad-cadre internals, the Pro six is a beastly PC in a slim package, and perfect for inking on the move.

Pure fun, pure value

Surface Get

Your digital sketchbook.

Although the Become is the least powerful on this list, it's likewise the cheapest. Simply don't be fooled by its cost point, this pint-sized PC packs a punch, and sports premium materials and structure also. While you won't be able to edit circuitous 3D visuals on this fun device, it'south perfect for annotation taking in class, casual fine art and blueprint work, and sketching on the become.

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