My Surface Book 2 i7 256gb is experiencing coil whine.

Anonymous
2017-11-21T08:05:28+00:00

Is there anyway to get around this?

Definitely notice coil whine whenever my SB2 is plugged into charging and on high performance mode. I am concerned about this issue as I was hoping issues like these didn't come with such a high price tag.

Surface | Surface Book | Power and battery

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Anonymous
2018-04-16T18:14:15+00:00

Update 8/1/2018:

Thank you for your feedback. We have published a set of drivers and system updates which helps mitigate this issue. This is now available in Windows Update.

We recommend that you install the latest updates to keep your Surface performing its best. You can get updates now by checking Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.

As a temporary workaround, we suggest that when your Surface is plugged into the power supply, click on the battery icon in the Windows taskbar and set the Power Mode slider to either “Recommended” or “Better performance.”

You can find the details of the latest update on our Surface Book 2 update history page.

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  1. Anonymous
    2018-02-19T14:01:14+00:00

    One unit emits absolutely no electrical noise when using the camera app in high performance mode whilst plugged in. Another unit distracts people working in the same room.

    This is besides the point, however - if I right click whilst on Microsoft Edge, I can hear an electrical screech. Really odd behaviour and not normal.

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  3. Anonymous
    2018-02-19T02:11:30+00:00

    This is going straight back. It must be defective. A $4,000 device is NOT supposed to make this type of absurd, distracting squealing noise non-stop under idle operation. UK model SB2 15" 1TB.

    I agree.

    Microsoft moderator, will you please acknowledge this issue and give us some official comments about this problem?

    Coil whine is clearly not an isolated phenomenon.

    I just wanted to add for those reading that this is a manufacturing issue. Many units, but not all, are affected by this plague of persistent jet-engine-like mosquito-electrocution-like buzzing, during practically idle loads (open the camera app.).

    Other (particularly young) people near me in a quiet room hear my laptop and question whether it is safe to use. They also suggested that I send it back, because no laptop should make this sound. My MBP doesn't. My SP doesn't. It's not due to the "high power parts", unless the camera is high power, and I think the SP has the same camera. Ask Apple for reference.

    I have a friend with a Surface Book 2 in the US, he has his plugged in on max performance with the camera app open, and there is absolutely no noise (as you would expect from working units of this laptop in idle conditions.) My Surface Pro 2017 does not make this noise, and nor do many US models.

    I also would like some clarification as to when this issue is going to be acknowledged. As if it wasn't enough that my laptop's battery drains whilst it is plugged in and rendering video. (throttling due to heat is expected, but not particularly welcome.)

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  4. Anonymous
    2018-02-19T02:01:51+00:00

    This is going straight back. It must be defective. A $4,000 device is NOT supposed to make this type of absurd, distracting squealing noise non-stop under idle operation. UK model SB2 15" 1TB.

    I agree.

    Microsoft moderator, will you please acknowledge this issue and give us some official comments about this problem?

    Coil whine is clearly not an isolated phenomenon.

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