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Microsoft Surface Go 2 Tablet

MSRP 400 USD68% External
Keywords: intelipskeyboard-casemicrosoftmicrosoft-surfacetabletwindows

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Product Overview

Microsoft Surface Go 2 is the entry-level 2-in-1 tablet in the Surface lineup. Still, it retains the versatility of a touchscreen, keyboard, Pen, and wireless connectivity that make the Surface Pro a favorite among consumers.
Starting at just over half a kilo, it is the lightest Surface tablet. Despite its compactness and affordability, the Surface Go 2 is up to 64% faster than the original Surface Go. It's FHD, 10.5-inch PixelSense Display boasts a 220 ppi pixel density, while the Dolby Audio speaker delivers clear, powerful sound. Enhanced dual far-field Studio Mics increase voice clarity and reduce background noise for calls. The FHD 5MP front and 8MP rear cameras make the tablet even more versatile.

Ratings

What we found**

Pros
  • Slim bezels and better performance than the original Surface
  • Long battery life
  • USB-C port, headphone jack, and MicroSD card slot
  • Long-lasting battery
Cons
  • Type Cover feels cramped
  • Keyboard feels cramped

What external reviewers found***

External score 68% (not directly comparable across industries)
Pros
  • Good performance
  • Great keyboard
  • Good value for money
  • Decent audio quality
Cons
  • Middling performance
  • Limited connectivity
  • Mediocre battery life
  • Not particularly powerful
  • No LTE support
Read More
See Product Comparison

Price Comparison

Specifications

WiFiWiFi + LTE

Connectivity

PortsUSB-C + microSD + 3.5mm Audio jack
Wireless ConnectivityWiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.0, LTE Advanced 3 (optional)

Construction

Camera | Front5.0MP front-facing camera with 1080p HD Skype HD video
Camera | Rear8.0MP rear-facing autofocus camera with 1080p HD video
ColorsSilver
Form FactorTablet with full-friction multi-position hinge to 165 degrees and kickstand
MaterialMagnesium body
Speakers2W stereo speakers with Dolby Audio Premium

Dimensions

Size | Height8.3 mm
Size | Length245 mm
Size | Width175 mm
Weight544 g, w/o Type Cover553 g, w/o Type Cover

Display

Aspect Ratio3:2
Contrast Ratio1500:1
Display Diagonal10.5 inch
Display TypeIPS, PixelSense Display w/ Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Pixel Density220 ppi
ResolutionFHD+, 1920 x 1280

Function

GraphicsIntel UHD Graphics 615
Operating SystemWindows 10
ProcessorIntel Pentium Gold 4425Y or 8th-gen Intel Core m3
SecurityEnterprise-grade protection with Windows Hello face sign-in, Firmware TPM 2.0
SensorAmbient light sensor, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Magnetometer
Touch Screen10-point multi-touch

Performance

Battery LifeUp to 10 h
Memory | Capacity4 or 8 GB
Power Supply24 W
Storage64 GB eMMC, 128 GB SSD

Production

Accessory[Keyboard] Surface Go Type Cover (sold separately for $130), [Digitizer] Surface Pen (sold separately for $100), Surface Slim Pen (sold separately for $145)
See Product Comparison

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Launch Comparison
Clear List

3rd-Party Review Videos

External Review Video 50Ew6cgpJpI for Microsoft Surface Go 2 Tablet
External Review Video jyoJrWrI2kg for Microsoft Surface Go 2 Tablet
External Review Video lDXtdkkUzRc for Microsoft Surface Go 2 Tablet
External Review Video OooX54LT3iQ for Microsoft Surface Go 2 Tablet
External Review Video p2Koce7EtCc for Microsoft Surface Go 2 Tablet
External Review Video zZ-sstNtOwk for Microsoft Surface Go 2 Tablet

External Reviews

androidauthority[1]

Reviewer score 59%
Reviewers from androidauthority have found the following***:
The Microsoft Surface Go 2 is a fantastic little Windows tablet for entertainment and light workloads. The range offers a very affordable entry point into Microsoft's Surface line-up. However, the costs quickly add up once you add the keyboard cover and Office software. By the time you've added an accessory or two to your purchase, the tablet could cost close to $1,000 at the high-end.
Find the original article here.
Pros
  • 120Hz display
  • Good battery life
  • Good value for money
Cons
  • Expensive for what you get

digitaltrends[2]

Reviewer score 61%
Reviewers from digitaltrends have found the following***:
The Surface Go 2 is nearly 50% faster than its predecessor in benchmarks. Apps load more quickly, multitasking is smoother, and hitting the performance ceiling is much more difficult. This is the version most people will likely purchase, and that's a problem. It has less headroom for multitasking, especially if you intend to hook up an external monitor.
Find the original article here.
Pros
  • Fantastic performance
  • Great battery life
  • Comfortable keyboard
  • Great keyboard
Cons
  • Lackluster performance
  • Mediocre battery life

laptopmag[3]

Reviewer score 77%
Reviewers from laptopmag have found the following***:
The Surface Go 2 runs on the purest version of Windows. It's a great option if you want a Windows 10 tablet for basic tasks and consuming content. If you can stretch the budget, the Surface Pro 7 gets you 10th Gen Intel CPUs, a larger display and a more comfortable keyboard.
Find the original article here.
Pros
  • Gorgeous design
  • Bright, colorful display
  • Fantastic IR camera
  • Long battery life
Cons
  • Middling performance
  • Lack of third-party apps

notebookcheck[4]

Reviewer score 67%
Reviewers from notebookcheck have found the following***:
The display has grown from 10 to 10.5 inches and the resolution is also a bit higher. 1920 x 1280 pixels (3:2 aspect ratio) create a very sharp picture on the small screen. The processor is sufficient for simple tasks right now, but there is not much headroom for the upcoming years.
Find the original article here.
Pros
  • Matte IPS screen
  • Good battery life
  • Decent keyboard
Cons
  • Mediocre graphics performance
  • No SD card reader

pcmag[5]

Reviewer score 68%
Reviewers from pcmag have found the following***:
The Surface Go 2 is an eminently satisfying tablet. It's not as powerful as a comparably priced conventional laptop, but it's far more versatile. In several key areas, it also has a leg up on its chief competitor, the Apple iPad. While it may not be unequivocally better than the iPad, it trounces midrange tablets.
Find the original article here.
Pros
  • Sleek design
  • Excellent battery life
  • Built-in kickstand
  • Comfortable keyboard
Cons
  • Lacks a cooling fan
  • No Thunderbolt 3 port

t3[6]

Reviewer score 62%
Reviewers from t3 have found the following***:
The Surface Go 2 runs Windows 10 S, a version of Windows designed to run faster than normal. It is not a particularly powerful device, and downloads take longer than you're used to. The basic version starts at £399 and comes with 4GB RAM, 64GB storage and an Intel Pentium Gold 4425Y dual-core processor. Pay out £529 and you can double the RAM to 8GB and storage to 128GB.
Find the original article here.
Pros
  • Sleek design
  • Excellent battery life
  • Decent audio quality
Cons
  • Limited connectivity
  • Not particularly powerful

techadvisor[7]

Reviewer score 57%
Reviewers from techadvisor have found the following***:
At £399 it's by far the cheapest Surface PC, but at this price performance is severely compromised. As such I'd recommend stepping up to a Core M3 model, although you'll pay at least £619 for the privilege. Microsoft doesn't quote a specific battery capacity for the Surface Go 2, although it advertises ‘up to 10 hours of typical device usage'
Find the original article here.
Pros
  • Slim and light
  • Strong performance
  • Decent keyboard
Cons
  • Windows 10 in S mode

techradar[8]

Reviewer score 63%
Reviewers from techradar have found the following***:
As a tablet, the aspect ratio feels quite normal, though in laptop mode you'll likely notice the difference. Windows 10 S Mode is more useful than it used to be – as there's a better selection of apps available on the Microsoft Store. There are still noticeable absences from the store, however, which means you may want to switch from S Mode to full Windows 10. With 8GB of RAM and 128GB SSD, Windows 10 and its built-in apps ran fine.
Find the original article here.
Pros
  • Decent performance
  • Good battery life
Cons
  • Windows 10 S Mode is more useful

theverge[9]

Reviewer score 64%
Reviewers from theverge have found the following***:
There are two versions of the Surface Go 2: the base model and the upgraded spec model that I am reviewing. The base model comes with a pokey Pentium Gold processor, even pokier eMMC storage (64GB of it), and a mere 4GB of RAM. If you know the limits, you will have a good experience with the Go 2 — but only for five or, at most, six hours.
Find the original article here.
Pros
  • Sleek, lightweight design
  • Slim bezels
  • Good battery life
Cons
  • Battery life could be better

tomsguide[10]

Reviewer score 79%
Reviewers from tomsguide have found the following***:
The Microsoft Surface Go 2 finally realizes the promise of the original Surface Go. Its bigger screen, smaller bezels and longer battery life add up to a 2-in-1 that can handle a lot. If you want the real Windows 10 experience, you'll want to turn off S Mode.
Find the original article here.
Pros
  • Slim bezels
  • Long battery life
  • Dolby Audio Premium
Cons
  • No Thunderbolt 3 port

tomshardware[11]

Reviewer score 78%
Reviewers from tomshardware have found the following***:
Microsoft's Surface lineup has among the cleanest start menus that you'll see on a Windows 10 device. The Go 2 has smaller bezels, longer battery life and an option with LTE Advanced support at launch. As far as build quality and the display go, this is the most premium budget machine around.
Find the original article here.
Pros
  • Attractive design
  • Good battery life
  • Good performance
Cons
  • No keyboard
  • No LTE support

wired[12]

Reviewer score 77%
Reviewers from wired have found the following***:
The Surface Go 2 is capable of some tablet-like behavior, but leans toward the laptop end of the spectrum. The Type Cover will set you back $129 and, if you plan to do anything more than browsing the web and watching movies, it is a must-have. Windows in S-mode attempts to impose some restrictions you'll see in app stores on other platforms to Windows.
Find the original article here.
Pros
  • Sleek, lightweight design
  • Long battery life
  • Built-in USB Type Cover
Cons
  • Type Cover is a little small

User Reviews

Comments

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References

  1. ^ Microsoft Surface Go 2 review: Small but mighty. [androidauthority]. https://www.androidauthority.com/microsoft-surface-go-2-review-1642930/. 2021-07-18. Retrieved 2021-10-14.
  2. ^ Microsoft Surface Go 2 review: The awkward teenager. [digitaltrends]. https://www.digitaltrends.com/laptop-reviews/microsoft-surface-go-2-review/. 2020-05-11. Retrieved 2021-03-22.
  3. ^ Microsoft Surface Go 2 review. [laptopmag]. https://www.laptopmag.com/reviews/microsoft-surface-go-2. 2020-05-20. Retrieved 2021-03-22.
  4. ^ Microsoft Surface Go 2 Review: Compact Convertible gets a bigger screen. [notebookcheck]. https://www.notebookcheck.net/Microsoft-Surface-Go-2-Review-Compact-Convertible-gets-a-bigger-screen.512356.0.html. 2020-12-29. Retrieved 2021-03-22.
  5. ^ Microsoft Surface Go 2 Review. [pcmag]. https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/microsoft-surface-go-2. 2020-05-12. Retrieved 2021-03-22.
  6. ^ Microsoft Surface Go 2 review: Is this hybrid 2-in-1 worth buying?. [t3]. https://www.t3.com/reviews/microsoft-surface-go-2-review. 2021-08-20. Retrieved 2021-10-20.
  7. ^ Microsoft Surface Go 2 review. [techadvisor]. https://www.techadvisor.co.uk/review/microsoft-surface-go-2-3790303/. 2020-06-11. Retrieved 2021-03-22.
  8. ^ Microsoft Surface Go 2 review. [techradar]. https://www.techradar.com/reviews/microsoft-surface-go-2. 2020-06-08. Retrieved 2021-03-22.
  9. ^ Microsoft Surface Go 2 review: don’t push it. [theverge]. https://www.theverge.com/21259805/microsoft-surface-go-2-review-windows-tablet-speed-intel-processor-price. 2020-05-15. Retrieved 2021-03-22.
  10. ^ Microsoft Surface Go 2 review. [tomsguide]. https://www.tomsguide.com/reviews/microsoft-surface-go-2. 2021-02-03. Retrieved 2021-03-22.
  11. ^ Microsoft Surface Go 2 Review: One Small Step. [tomshardware]. https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/microsoft-surface-go-2. 2020-05-15. Retrieved 2021-03-22.
  12. ^ Review: Microsoft Surface Go 2. [wired]. https://www.wired.com/review/microsoft-surface-go-2/. 2020-06-18. Retrieved 2021-10-14.

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These key takeaways ("pros" and "cons") and summaries are identified from third-party reviews. They may differ from the original texts.

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