I have a high spec laptop which is used for video editing, graphic art and web browsing. This Surface Go would not be great at those tasks, it's not aimed for that type of use. My review is based on the performance of this machine for the purpose it was intended for...
My daughter started college this year and I promised I'd get her a slim laptop for her to use for Microsoft Teams, homework, and obviously, for watching countless hours of Netflix/Youtube/Funimation (I'm a realist, she ain't going to sit there revising in her spare time!)
I wanted something she could put in her bag and easily take to college if needed. She's been using Chromebooks for the last few years (which I love) but she wanted a "proper Windows laptop". Technically speaking, this is a Windows Tablet, but when coupled with the excellent keyboard cover, it is the same form function as a laptop.
We are both impressed with the performance of the Surface Go 2. After booting it up you get the usual Windows set up spiel (the Cortana assistant) which is pretty good at getting it set up on your Wi-Fi network, etc. it took just a few minutes for the set up, pairing the mouse, etc. If you have an existing Microsoft account then you simply log in with that or create a new one.
Once up and running it looks and feels just like a laptop running Windows 10. Initially this runs Windows 10 S Mode. This is Windows 10 but locked down so that you can only install apps from the Windows store. This you are limited to the Edge browser and software from third parties might not be installable. I think most people probably turn off S Mode straight away and install Chrome, I know I did.
If you are worried about someone vulnerable using this then S Mode can actually be pretty amazing, especially when used with Microsoft Family Safety parental controls. You can be assured that the user is safe and you can monitor their usage if needed and moderate it. You can still use Family Controls when not in S Mode, but it means the user can install other web browsers and access sites you might want to protect them form. When using S Mode, they can only use Edge and therefore you can block sites if you feel the need to. It also prevents installation of Malware/viruses which may compromise their security or device performance.
Physically, this looks great. The kickstand at the back is full width and very sturdy, there is a Micro SD card slot under the stand too. The charger is a magnetic one so it clips on and off easily. The screen is vibrant and very easy to read text from, the touchscreen is incredibly responsive too. I don't use a stylus, I just just my fingertip - but mostly I use a mouse.
The USB C port can be used to easily connect this to another monitor. I have experienced no lag or drop in performance as a result of using a secondary display. Personally, I prefer to use dual display when sat at a desk and my daughter tends to use dual display with a Lenovo monitor when she's doing extended periods of work.
Every article I've read about the Surface Go 2 refers to the keyboard as an essential purchase. I absolutely agree. The keyboard protects the tablet and turns it into a very smart looking laptop. The keyboard itself is powered by the tablet so no need to charge it separately, and it just clicks into place magnetically.
As for performance, my daughter experienced no lag at all with this beyond the usual waiting for Windows to open a program or open a document - but nothing noticeably longer than what I experience wit my home or work Windows laptop. It handles HD video fine and streaming services work flawlessly. The audio is very impressive - much more impressive than my own laptop.
We deliberately installed some games to push this beyond the limit, it became noticeably warmer as the processor struggled and there was a drop in performance. But that's fine - this was not purchased as a gaming machine. Smaller games (and "Cut the Rope" has become the new Minesweeper on Microsoft Machines) are perfectly fine. But don't expect GTA, Skyrim or any other high performance game to work well here. I've also ran some emulation software on this and It handled that fine - it was quite fun playing some old SNES games.
So - in a nutshell: This is an ideal machine for someone who wants to use it as an educational aid for school/college/uni to participate in Microsoft Teams meetings, email, web browsing and a bit of entertainment. It is small and easy to carry around. It also looks very funky. It is PERFECT for that. If you want to play games requiring a high spec machine, then this will not perform. I've given this 4 stars because the Keyboard is pretty essential to get the most out of this, and that's an additional purchase.
If small and portable isn't your primary concern, then the same money will get you a better spec laptop (i5 processor with 8GB RAM, for example). This really wouldn't suit me - but it is ideal for my daughter.
| Brand | Microsoft |
|---|---|
| Package Dimensions | 28 x 20.8 x 6.3 cm; 544.31 Grams |
| Batteries | 1 Lithium Ion batteries required. (included) |
| Item model number | STV-00002 |
| Manufacturer | Microsoft |
| Series | STV-00002 |
| Color | Device Only |
| Standing screen display size | 10 Inches |
| Resolution | 1920 x 1280 Pixels |
| Processor Brand | Intel |
| Processor Type | Pentium |
| Processor Speed | 1.7 GHz |
| Processor Count | 2 |
| RAM Size | 4 GB |
| Memory Technology | LPDDR4 |
| Maximum Memory Supported | 4 GB |
| Hard Disk Description | SSD |
| Audio Details | Headphones |
| Graphics Chipset Brand | Integrated |
| Graphics Card Description | Dedicated |
| Graphics RAM Type | DDR4 SDRAM |
| Graphics Card Ram Size | 4 GB |
| Graphics Card Interface | Integrated |
| Connectivity Type | Bluetooth |
| Wireless Type | Bluetooth |
| Number of USB 3.0 Ports | 1 |
| Optical Drive Type | No Optical Drive |
| Operating System | Windows 10 Home |
| Average Battery Standby Life (in hours) | 26.8 Watt Hours |
| Are Batteries Included | Yes |
| Lithium Battery Energy Content | 26.6 Watt Hours |
| Lithium Battery Packaging | Batteries contained in equipment |
| Lithium Battery Weight | 108 Grams |
| Number Of Lithium Ion Cells | 2 |
| Item Weight | 544 g |
