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Surface Go 2
The decidedly improved Microsoft Surface Go 2 proposals better computing performance, a larger display.
It will then longer battery life than the original, making it a solid work-from-home (and idle-time) companion among Windows tablets.
What’s New in the Surface Go 2?
- Microsoft has been making Windows tablets for many years under the Surface brand.
- Here the Surface Go 2 follows the same basic design principles of many of the preceding Surface models, including the latest, the Surface Pro 7.
- However, it’s a rectangular tablet that measures 0.33 by 9.7 by 6.9 inches (HWD) and weighs 1.2 pounds.
- Here the entire front of the device is a 10.5-inch touch screen, and the ports, the power button, and a volume rocker are scattered around the edges.
- Though you can hold the Surface Go 2 in two hands with ease, a nifty integrated kickstand at the back pops out for propping up the tablet on a flat surface.
- By a slightly larger display than the first-generation Surface Go but nearly identical overall dimensions, the Surface Go 2 has smaller borders around the screen.
- These abridged bezels make the Go 2 look sleeker and more modern than the Surface Go.
- Here a more prominent display was one of the three most-requested improvements to the original Surface Go, Microsoft says.
- However, the other two wishes were longer battery life and more computing performance.
- Here the first go-around of the Surface Go packed a pokey Intel Pentium Gold processor that delivered middling speed in our tests.
- Here the Core m3 doesn’t turn the Surface Go 2 into a computing powerhouse by any means.
- Still, it adds enough oomph to perform essential functions like watching videos or browsing the web more enjoyable.
- Furthermore, to the Core m3, our review unit also includes an upgraded 128GB SSD, an LTE modem, and 8GB of memory.
- These promotions come at a considerable expense, assertive the price of our review unit to $729.99. That’s $170 extra than an LTE-equipped Apple iPad with 128GB of storage.
- It’s also closely double the price of the Pentium-powered Surface Go 2 base model.
- Which is armed with a measly 64GB of eMMC storage and 4GB of RAM and lacks LTE connectivity.
The Value’s in Its Versatility
- If you can front the price, though, the Surface Go 2 is potentially the only computer you’ll need if your computing needs are light.
- It’s a considerately designed and solidly constructed device. Still, it owes much of its versatility to improvements in the Windows operating system that make it equal.
- Adept as a tablet PC or plugged into a keyboard, a mouse, and an external monitor.
- Persons who spend all day working at a desktop PC and then kick back on the couch with an iPad.
- At night could effortlessly stand to replace both devices with a Surface Go 2 plus the right accessories and peripherals.
- I did just that for several days, using the Surface Go 2 to replace both my work PC and my iPad.
- However, the experiment had its ups and downs (more of the former), with the physical advantages over an iPad and a laptop being the most immediately apparent.
- Here the Surface Go 2’s advantages over a laptop will also be significant for many users who typically plug their laptops into external displays and peripherals.
- Not one does the Surface Go 2 take up far less room on a desk than a laptop does. Nonetheless, it also comprises a full-HD front-facing screen.
- This 5-megapixel, 1080p shooter is a vast improvement over most laptop webcams.
- Which characteristically employ low-quality cameras with 720p resolution that results in grainy video quality even when the room is brightly lit.
- Here the camera advantage is even more significant now, with video calls becoming an essential feature to stay connected while working from home.
- Furthermore to the front-facing camera, which includes IR sensors for face-recognition Windows Hello logins.
- However, the Go 2 also has a rear-mounted 8-megapixel autofocus camera that shoots 1080p video.
The Usual Surface Quibble: Accessories Not Included
- The Surface Go 2 has minor input/output ports, using it as a replacement for a laptop.
- However, you’ll need to splurge on an expansion dock. Solutions include third-party accessories, similar to the $349 Kensington SD600 Surface Go Docking Station.
- Here Microsoft also offers several of its own, from a simple USB-C expansion hub to the $259 Microsoft Surface Dock 2.
- Which attaches to the Surface Go 2’s proprietary Surface Connect port.
- Besides this port, which is also used to connect the tablet’s power adapter, a single USB Type-C port, a headphone jack, and a microSD card reader are also used.
- You’ll also need essential something to protect the Surface Go 2 while you’re carrying it around.
- The Microsoft choices are the $69 Microsoft Surface Go Sleeve and the $129 Surface Go Type Cover.
- However, the Type Cover includes a keyboard and touchpad, with a soft synthetic “Alcantara” fabric keyboard deck to protect.
- Here the Surface Go 2’s display where it brands contact. It ascribes via magnets to the bottom edge of the tablet.
- I significantly rise that opening the Type Cover automatically wakes up the Surface Go 2.
- Then activates the Windows Hello face-recognition camera to automatically log you in. (The original Surface Go doesn’t have this auto-wake feature.)
- General, I find the Surface Go-size Type Cover to be impractical for sustained work, however.
- Here the touchpad is cramped and tracks poorly, and the keys aren’t full-size, which makes for an uncomfortable typing experience.
Note: Here, Microsoft says the Surface Go 2 is compatible with existing peripherals designing for the original Surface Go, including the Type Covers for that model.
Denser Pixels: The Surface Go 2’s Bigger Panel
- Though the Surface Go 2’s 10.5-inch screen is only a half-inch larger than its predecessor’s screen, measured diagonally.
- It comprises more pixels for a slightly higher native resolution: 1,920 by 1,280 pixels, which translates into a density of 220 pixels per inch (PPI).
- It is significantly less than the iPad’s 264ppi, and it’s one area where the iPad is unequivocally superior.
- Here Microsoft claims that the naked eye doesn’t notice visible pixels at resolutions of around 220ppi or more excellent.
- Cumulative density would increase the screen’s power consumption and reduce battery life.
- But I noticed that text appears more grainy on Surface Go 2 than it does on the iPad.
- Here the iPad manages to include a higher-resolution screen while also offering excellent battery life.
- However, the iPad also has a leg up on the Surface Go 2 in terms of available color options.
- Here you can order Surface Type Covers and Surface Sleeves in multiple colors, including Platinum, Black, Poppy Red, and Ice Blue.
- Nonetheless, the tablet itself is obtainable only in a silver magnesium finish. This iPad offers Silver, Space Gray, and Rose Gold color options.
- Here the Surface Go 2’s optional LTE modem is a Qualcomm Snapdragon X16, capable of gigabit speeds.
- It resolves to accept either a physical SIM card from your carrier or a virtual eSIM.
- Here you can even sign up for pay-as-you-go cellular service with an eSIM from the Microsoft Store app.
- However, its carrier options are currently limiting to two smaller virtual network operators.
Also Read: iPhone 5G – Which iPhones Have 5G, What is Millimetre Wave 5G, and More
Also Read: iPhone 5G – Which iPhones Have 5G, What is Millimetre Wave 5G, and More
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