Microsoft’s Surface Go 2, introduced Wednesday, presents an up to date tackle Microsoft’s ultralight, ultraportable Surface pill, along with an up to date processor, higher show, and LTE choices proper out of the field.
Two years in the past, Microsoft launched the unique Surface Go, a small, comparatively cheap 10-inch Surface pill optimized for on-the-go enterprise vacationers and college students alike. The Surface Go 2 squeezes a 10.5-inch show inside the identical type issue, boosts the decision to 1920×1280 and presents the selection of both an Eighth-gen Core m3 chip (with 64 p.c extra efficiency) or a Pentium Gold 4425Y processor. The similar 5MP user-facing digicam stays, now considerably extra necessary for work-at-home customers.
Microsoft stated that Surface Go 2 pricing will start at $399, the identical as the present Surface Go, and can ship on May 12. The Surface Signature Type Cover and Surface Pen will nonetheless be offered individually.
Since the coronavirus pandemic turned the Surface Go 2’s launch right into a distant affair, we haven’t had an opportunity to go hands-on with it. But we have now the complete specs under, plus our ideas based mostly upon our time with the unique Surface Go.
Microsoft’s Surface Go and Surface Go 2 are designed to be mild sufficient to be held comfortably.
Surface Go 2 fundamental specs
Like lots of its different Surface tablets, Microsoft will promote the Surface Go 2 in each a shopper and a industrial version. Consumers ought to be conscious that the buyer model ships with Windows 10 Home in S Mode (Windows 10 S ), although it is best to be capable to switch to Windows 10 Pro simply.
- Display: 10.5-inch (1920×1080, 220 ppi) PixelSense show with 10-point contact; Corning Gorilla Glass 3
- Processor: Intel Pentium Gold 4425Y or Eighth-gen Intel Core m3
- Graphics: UHD 615
- Memory: 4GB or 8GB RAM
- Storage: 64GB eMMC or 128GB SSD
- Ports: USB-C, Surface Connect, microSD, 3.5mm jack
- Camera: 5MP (1080p) user-facing; 8MP (1080p) rear-facing, with autofocus
- Battery: “10 hours typical device usage” with both Wi-Fi or LTE
- Wireless: 802.11 ax (Wi-Fi 6); Qualcomm LTE Advanced X16 modem
- Operating system: Windows 10 Home in S mode (shopper); Windows 10 Pro (industrial channels)
- Dimensions (inches): 9.65 x 6.9 x 0.33 inches (8.3mm)
- Weight: 1.2 kilos with Wi-Fi, 1.22 kilos with LTE, not counting Type Cover
- Colors: Silver, with elective Type Covers in Platinum, Black, Poppy Red, and Ice Blue
- Optional equipment: Surface Go 2 Signature Type Cover (Black, $99.99; all others, $129.99), Surface Pen ($99.99), Microsoft USB-C Travel Hub ($100)
- Price: Starting at $399
MicrosoftLike different Surface tablets, the Surface Go 2 (with the Surface Go 2 Signature Type Cover, hooked up) can operate as a desktop machine. The kickstand reclines virtually totally.
Not the whole lot about Microsoft’s Surface Go 2 is thought at this level, although we have now many of the particulars. Weirdly, we do not know what the precise “8th-gen Core m3” chip is. See under for an inventory of the assorted Surface Go 2 fashions and their costs, together with the LTE-specific fashions. (It prices $100 extra so as to add LTE to the Surface Go 2, it seems.) Note that we have added the $99.99 value of the Black Surface Go 2 Signature Type Cover to the spec listing above, in addition to the $129.99 value for the opposite colours.
Surface Go 2 shopper costs:
- Pentium Gold 4425Y, 4GB RAM, 64GB eMMC: $399.99
- Pentium Gold 4425Y, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD: $549.99
- Eighth-gen Intel Core m3, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD: $629.99
- Eighth-gen Intel Core m3, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD, LTE: $729.99
Surface Go 2 industrial costs:
- Pentium Gold 4425Y, 4GB RAM, 64GB eMMC: $449.99
- Eighth-gen Intel Core m3, 4GB RAM, 64GB eMMC: $499.99
- Eighth-gen Intel Core m3, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD: $679.99
- Eighth-gen Intel Core m3, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD, LTE: $779.99
- Eighth-gen Intel Core m3, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD, LTE: $879.99
- Pentium Gold 4425Y, 4GB RAM, 64GB eMMC: $399.99 (Educators solely)
- Pentium Gold 4425Y, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD: $549.99 (Educators solely)
Physically, the Surface Go 2 seems to be largely the identical system as the unique Surface Go: a pill whose magnesium physique is supported by a kickstand which easily reclines right down to 165 levels, offering a variety of angles for tapping, inking, and typing. An sudden bonus could in actual fact be the 5MP front-facing digicam, as Zoom, Skype, Teams, and WebEx grow to be the popular methods of speaking with the world.
MicrosoftBased upon the specs, the Surface Go 2 seems to have smaller bezels.
A yr in the past, the relative dimension of the Surface Go 2 could be a key promoting level. We’ve all tried to peck at a clamshell PC or pill whereas wedged into an airline seat or practice automobile. The authentic Surface Go match throughout the tight confines of an Amtrak practice seatback tray desk, permitting me to work whereas on the go. (Its bigger cousin, the Surface Pro 7, measuring 11.5 x 7.9 x 0.33 inches, actually can’t squeeze in.) We now stay in a world the place distance isn’t only a perk, however a necessary requirement, making an ultraportable pill much less in demand.
MicrosoftMicrosoft’s Surface Go 2, in a top-down view.
The Surface Go 2 seems to be roughly half an inch longer, and, at 1.22 kilos, simply barely heavier than the unique’s 1.14 kilos. We can safely assume that Microsoft shrunk the show bezels considerably as nicely, packing 1920×1280 pixels (220 ppi) vs the unique 1800×1200 (217 ppi) PixelSense show. The Surface’s conventional 3:2 show ratio, nevertheless, has been maintained. Remember that the Surface Go was Microsoft’s first to undertake USB-C in addition to the standard Surface Connector; we’ll need to see if Microsoft makes use of them for peripheral growth or one thing extra.
One weak level that we hope Microsoft addresses: the Surface Go 2 typing expertise. Microsoft’s first Surface Go was accompanied by smaller Type Cover that wasn’t all that nice to make use of.
Mark Hachman / IDGOne of probably the most compelling arguments backing the unique Surface Go, seen right here, was its capacity to squeeze into cramped environments. The tradeoff? A smaller keyboard.
Performance will make or break the Surface Go 2
The key to the Surface Go, nevertheless, has all the time been the processor. Refer to original Surface Go testing if you happen to’d like; the primary Go was competent, however merely for Office work and internet shopping. The new Surface Go 2 presents as much as 64 p.c higher efficiency than its predecessor. Potential consumers ought to clearly be eyeing the dearer Core m choice, moderately than the slower Pentium Gold-powered gadgets. Whether the Surface Go 2 qualifies as a must-buy system will actually rely on how nicely it performs the essential enterprise duties that on-the-go staff make a part of their each day routine.
Qualcomm ought to be watching carefully. Microsoft did not go along with the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx to energy the Surface Go 2, although the pill makes use of a Qualcomm modem. Samsung’s Galaxy Book S ought to demolish the Surface Go 2 by way of battery life, however this efficiency chart ought to sum up the Go 2’s possibilities:
Mark Hachman / IDGWill the Surface Go 2 high the Qualcomm Snapdragon-powered Samsung Galaxy S?
Here, the Surface Go finishes nicely down the listing of benchmarks, with its anemic Pentium processor inside it. But although the Galaxy S is a conventional clamshell, it’s skinny and lightweight at 2.18 kilos—not an excessive amount of greater than the 1.7 kilos or so of the Surface Go 2 and a Type Cover. Being in a position to squeeze onto a tray desk is necessary, however so is efficiency and all-day battery life. Can we assume that Microsoft selected Intel over Qualcomm for causes of efficiency?
Possibly. Connectivity, nevertheless, will proceed to play a job. We don’t know whether or not the Surface Go 2 will embrace a SIM slot, an eSIM, or some built-in SIM that may be turned on through a partnership with one of many main carriers. Ten hours utilizing both Wi-Fi or LTE presents quite a lot of wiggle room by way of real-world longevity, however it seems that customers will obtain extra run time than the roughly 6.5 hours of the unique Surface Go.
Processor, battery and type issue will doubtless dominate the dialog, however potential consumers shouldn’t ignore a few of the much less apparent options, both. Microsoft’s making an enormous push to promote its user-facing cameras, as customers have rapidly realized that webcams at the moment are our window to the world. Neither the 5MP user-facing digicam nor the 8MP rear digicam have apparently modified from the prior era. But extra rivals use a 1MP user-facing digicam, which merely can’t seize the quantity of data that the Surface Go 2’s digicam can.
Microsoft additionally stated that it has developed a “new” Camera app for its rear-facing digicam, with hooks into the Whiteboard app. We’ve seen this beforehand within the Surface Pro X, with devoted Whiteboard controls, like this:
Mark Hachman / IDGSnap an image with the Surface Pro X’s Camera app, and it grabs what it sees, auto-compensates for distance and parallax, and saves the info as an editable doc. It’s doable that the Surface Go 2 will embrace the same function.
It’s not clear whether or not Microsoft has provide you with one thing new or is solely highlighting its present work. I think this function will probably be underutilized, but it surely’s value noting. Likewise, the Surface Go and Surface Go 2 reclined to encourage inking with the Surface Pen, together with taking inked shapes and reworking them into polished shapes.
Mark Hachman / IDGWhiteboard is likely one of the apps Microsoft launched to encourage collaboration with distant coworkers. Here it’s on the Surface Pro X.
The complement to the Surface Go 2’s digicam is its audio capabilities, which embrace a pair of enhanced twin far-field mics. Microsoft executives have instructed PCWorld that there are in actual fact a number of audio pipelines, each for talking to Cortana in addition to to different, distant coworkers. AI processing helps filter out fan and typing noise, too. The authentic Surface Go was noteworthy for simply how loud its audio system had been, too. We’ve seen latest laptops just like the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (7th Gen) try and blow customers away through loud, wealthy audio. With Dolby Audio powering the Surface Go 2, we’ll need to see if Microsoft’s pill follows go well with.
As an ultramobile pill in what’s (for proper now) a reasonably static world, Microsoft’s Surface Go 2 does face some challenges. But with improved efficiency and a aggressive value, the Surface Go 2 could also be an attention-grabbing addition to Microsoft’s steady.