Microsoft cements its hardware ambitions with the announcement of the Surface Book 2-- a sequel to the 2015 notebook featuring 8th generation Intel processors and a 15-inch display option.

The Surface Book 2 looks very similar to the original (not to mention the 2016 update), even if Microsoft insists just about every detail has been tweaked. As the most powerful piece of hardware from the Windows maker yet, it carries 8th gen quad-core Intel Core processors, with the Core i7 models adding GeForce 10-series series graphics.

After 10 years of making eReaders Amazon presents a first waterproof version-- the Kindle Oasis, an update on the 2016 model featuring a larger display and an IPX8 water-resistance rating.

The Kindle Oasis has a 300ppi 7inch display equipped with 12 LEDs for more uniform front lighting. Ambient light sensors tweak the lighting according to the environment, and the display is covered with a proprietary glass Amazon says is its toughest yet. A built-in accelerometer automatically switches page orientation according to how the eReader is held.

The Truphone Apple SIM-based iPad data plan is available two more European countries-- specifically Ireland and Portugal, allowing customers roam through the carrier on their iPad in 40 countries.

Currently 6 countries offer the Truphone iPad data plan, namely Australia, Hong Kong, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, and the UK. The company plans to expand the number with an additional 31 countries by end 2017, bringing the total to 39. The data plan allows customers to roam in the aforementioned countries without additional charges, without need to change carriers or additional roaming fees.

The backbone of the system is Apple SIM, the technology included in cellular-capable iPad Air 2, iPad mini 3 (and newer) and all iPad Pro models. It saves the need to change the physical SIM card and simplifies the sign-up process through the "Set Up Mobile Data" section in the Settings app.

HP presents a pair of updated laptops-- the next-generation Spectre 13 and Spectre x360 13, both promising the latest processors, longer battery life and improved displays in "sleeker, more angular" designs.

The second generation Spectre 13 is described by the company as the thinnest touch laptop yet. Built out of CNC aluminium and carbon fibre, it features micro-edge bezels and a Gorilla Glass-clad display in up to 4K resolution. Inside are 8th generation Intel Core i5/i7 processors, up to 16GB LPDDR3 RAM and up to 1TB SSD storage, while the battery offers up to 11.5 hours of use on a single charge.

A Microsoft employee revealed the launch date of the next-generation LTE-enabled Surface Pro tablet at the Ignite 2017 conference, Neowin reports-- 1 December 2017.

At the session, Surface Pro program manager Tim Golik said the Surface Pro carries a Snapdragon X16 LTE modem able to work in any country in the world. This means one can buy the Surface Pro with LTE in any country and expect to use data across the globe. However this was the only detail gleaned at the session, and Golik refused to answer questions about a new Surface Book.

DIY computer kit vendor Kano presents the Computer Kit Complete-- essentially a means for kids to build their own laptop with 10.1-inch display, rechargeable battery pack and wireless keyboard.

Aimed at children ages 6 and up, the Computer Kit Complete is based on a Raspberry Pi 3 board. All components fit inside a case and stand, and the finished lapop easily fits inside a backpack. The result is a proper computer, since it even features a 3-port USB hub and an own OS, the open-source Kano OS.

Xiaomi follows on last year's Mi Notebook Air with a take on the MacBook Pro-- the Mi Notebook Pro, a 15.6-inch laptop powered by the latest Intel quad-core i7 processor.

Also found inside the Mi Notebook Pro are up to 16GB RAM, up to 1TB SSD storage and, as an alternative to Intel integrated graphics, an Nvidia GeForce MX 150 chip. The display is clad in Corning Gorilla Glass 3 and has side bezels of just 6.25mm, with the webcam built inside the top bezel.

IFA Sees Asus reveal the ROG Chimera, a gaming laptop featuring what the company claims is an industry first-- a 144Hz 17.3-inch display complete with Nvidia G-Sync technology.

As typical of gaming laptops the Chimera is a hefty 51mm-thick machine, allowing it to carry components such as an unlocked Intel Core i7-7820HK processor and desktop-class GeForce GTX 1080 GPU. Such specs promise to power ultra-smooth graphics running on the 144Hz display.

To keep temperatures down, the chassis carries four radiators sitting behind exhaust fins flanking the rear corners. Each radiator has fins 0.1mm thick, increasing the surface area for heat dissipation for more efficient cooling. Also included are x2 fans running on 12V power.