Surface Laptop Go: Microsoft delivers a decent budget PC
The Surface Laptop Go is Microsoft’s second try at an affordable Surface, and it hits the mark better than the original Surface Go tablet did. It still offers compromises, with strategic cuts to keep the price competitive with a Chromebook. Still, they’re mostly smart decisions—even a sub-1080p display and Windows 10 in S Mode didn’t turn us off. Although the Surface Laptop Go lacks the easy expansion of some competing laptops, it’s otherwise a solid budget offering.
Still, be picky in what you consider buying. We wouldn’t recommend the Surface Laptop Go’s minimum $549 configuration, but the middle $699 option (which we didn’t test) seems like the best bang for the buck. At $899, the 12.5-inch Surface Laptop Go review unit we tested bobs up to the very top of the “budget” category, though it shows off this new product at its best.
SPECS AND FEATURES
Display: 12.45-inch (1536x1024, 148 ppi, 330 nits rated) multitouch PixelSense display (Microsoft says there is no pen support.)
Processor: Core i5-1035G1
Graphics: UHD Graphics
Memory: 4GB-8GB LPDDR4x (8GB as tested)
Storage: 64GB eMMC, 128GB-256GB SSD (256GB SSD as tested)
Ports: 1 USB-C, 1 USB-A, Surface Connect, 3.5mm audio jack
Camera: 720p f2.0 (user-facing)
Battery: 39.7Wh (design), 41Wh (full charge)
Wireless: WiFi 6 (802.11ax), Bluetooth 5.0
Operating system: Windows 10 Home in S Mode
Dimensions (inches): 10.95 x 8.10 x 0.62 inches
Weight: 2.45 pounds
Chassis: Aluminum, with plastic resin
Colors: Ice Blue, Sandstone, Platinum
Price: Beginning at $549 (Microsoft), $899 as tested (Amazon)
PRICES AND CONFIGURATIONS
All Surface Laptop Go models began selling October 13. Microsoft is offering overlapping configurations of the Surface Laptop Go for consumers, education, and business. The Business models upgrade the OS to Windows 10 Pro and offer (in supported markets) a $100 warranty service that includes expedited device replacement. Finally, Microsoft’s education channel offers an additional model not shown here.
Core i5/4GB RAM/64GB SSD: $549 Consumer/Education (Platinum only)
Core i5/8GB RAM/128GB SSD: $699 Consumer/Education, $799 Business
Core i5/8GB RAM/256GB SSD: $899 Consumer/Education, $999 Business
Core i5/16GB RAM/256GB SSD: $1,099 Education, $1,199 Business
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