Microsoft Surface Go 2 LTE (8GB + 256GB) Review | 168 Data compared

The Microsoft Surface Go 2 is a compact 2-in-1 Windows tablet featuring a refined 10.5-inch PixelSense display (1920x1280) and, on higher-end models, a faster Intel Core m3-8100Y processor with optional LTE. While offering excellent build quality and a versatile kickstand, the device is best suited for light tasks, as the base Pentium Gold processor and eMMC storage can limit performance. Notable drawbacks include mediocre battery life (5-7 hours), the high added cost of the necessary Type Cover keyboard, and display-related issues like PWM flickering.

The Wired review of the Microsoft Surface Go 2 praises it as a vastly improved, portable 2-in-1, highlighting its modern, 10.5-inch display with slimmer bezels and a top-tier 5-megapixel webcam. The Intel Core m3 model is recommended for its solid performance, capable of handling daily tasks with improved battery life lasting nearly nine hours, all while maintaining a fanless, silent design. However, the device faces criticism for its "misleading" $399 base price, which excludes the essential Type Cover keyboard and features underpowered, slow storage. Additionally, users may face frustration with Windows S-mode limitations, ultimately making it an expensive, though premium, companion device. WIRED

The Microsoft Surface Go 2, honored with a PCMag Editors' Choice award, offers a significantly improved, premium magnesium build featuring a larger 10.5-inch display, thinner bezels, and an excellent 1080p webcam. Performance is boosted by an optional Intel Core m3 processor, 8GB of RAM, and a fast 128GB SSD, delivering snappy daily performance, silent fanless operation, and over 13 hours of battery life. However, significant drawbacks include the required Type Cover being sold separately, a high total cost for the Core m3/LTE model, and a cramped keyboard for long-term productivity. For more details, visit PCMag.

The Microsoft Surface Go 2 is a premium, portable 2-in-1 featuring a sharp, upgraded 10.5-inch PixelSense display and a versatile magnesium chassis with a 135-degree kickstand. Key advantages include a high-quality 5MP webcam for video calls, impressive dual stereo speakers, and a full Windows experience, though limited connectivity with only one USB-C port is a drawback. While suited for light, mobile productivity with 10-hour battery life, the device lacks the power for demanding tasks, and the required Type Cover significantly increases the total cost.

The Microsoft Surface Go 2 is a refined, ultra-portable 10.5-inch 2-in-1 featuring a premium build, improved 1080p webcam, and a high-quality, larger display. While offering excellent portability, it is hindered by limited performance, even in the Core m3 model, and middling battery life. Though a strong contender for a secondary device, the high cost of the tablet combined with mandatory, separate accessories makes the total package expensive, notes Expert Reviews. Expert Reviews

The Microsoft Surface Go 2 (2020) is a highly portable 2-in-1, featuring a sharp, color-accurate 10.5-inch 1920 x 1280 screen in a 3:2 aspect ratio, housed in a premium, flexible magnesium alloy body. It is praised for its industry-leading 1080p webcam, making it an excellent choice for video conferencing. However, the base model, with its Intel Pentium Gold 4425Y processor, struggles with multitasking, and battery life is only mediocre for moderate use. RTINGS.comWhile the optional Type Cover offers a surprisingly good typing experience, the essential accessories are sold separately, significantly increasing the overall cost. Connectivity is also quite limited, featuring only a single USB-C port, necessitating the use of dongles for most peripherals. Furthermore, the device is very difficult to repair, which is a downside to its build quality.

The Microsoft Surface Go 2 (m3) is described as an ideal, portable "companion device" for academics, featuring a fanless design and improved 10.5-inch screen suitable for reading and light tasks. Key pros include the snappy performance of the Core m3 processor for multitasking, alongside excellent Type Cover and Surface Pen integration for annotation. However, cons include the high cost of necessary accessories, limited battery life, and a cramped screen for intensive work, positioning it strictly as a secondary device. For more details, visit peterfalkingham.com.

The Microsoft Surface Go 2 is a compact, premium tablet featuring a high-quality 10.5-inch 3:2 IPS display covering 99% sRGB, enclosed in a sturdy magnesium chassis with a stable kickstand. Designed for light workloads, it operates silently and offers around 12 hours of web browsing, with the Core m3-8100Y model recommended over the base 64GB eMMC option. Key drawbacks include essential accessories being sold separately, restrictive Windows 10 S mode, and non-upgradable components, according to the review.

Paul Thurrott’s review of the Microsoft Surface Go 2 describes it as a "mini Surface Pro" that maintains a premium, 10.5-inch magnesium build with improved display bezels and high-quality 1080p cameras. The device is praised for its excellent stereo speakers, 1920 x 1280 resolution, and reliable Windows Hello facial recognition. Significant drawbacks identified include middling battery life, lasting only 5–6 hours in tests, along with slow charging speeds and a lack of USB-C fast charging. Performance limitations are highlighted, with the review strongly advising against the base Pentium model in favor of the more expensive Core m3 version, which still faces limitations compared to full-sized laptops. The value proposition is complicated by the required purchase of the $130 Type Cover and $100 Pen, along with a cramped typing experience for some users. While suitable as a specialized, portable Windows productivity machine, the review suggests an iPad may be better for purely consumption-focused users. Thurrott.com

The Microsoft Surface Go 2 is a compact 2-in-1, highly praised for its premium 544g magnesium chassis, versatile kickstand, and superior 10.5-inch PixelSense display. Key advantages include its portability, excellent 1080p front-facing camera for video conferencing, and fanless, silent operation. However, the base Pentium model suffers from sluggish performance and slow eMMC storage when exiting S Mode, limiting it to light tasks. Furthermore, the essential Type Cover keyboard is sold separately, increasing the total cost, and battery life is merely average at around 9 hours. Ultimately, the Surface Go 2 serves as a capable, ultra-portable device for students or travelers needing light productivity, with optional LTE for connectivity. It is best suited for media consumption and light work rather than intensive, professional workloads.

The Surface Go 2 is lauded for its high-quality magnesium build, improved 10.5-inch display, and excellent, versatile kickstand. It provides a "gutsy" performance for daily office tasks and web browsing, featuring a superior 1080p webcam and upgraded connectivity. However, the device is constrained by a five-hour battery life and, while starting at £399, requires a mandatory, separate purchase of the Type Cover to be fully functional, according to The Guardian's review.

The Microsoft Surface Go 2 is a premium, compact 2-in-1 featuring a larger 10.5-inch display, improved battery life, and high-quality 5MP/8MP cameras [Tom's Hardware]. While performance with the Core m3-8100Y is solid for light tasks, the base Pentium model is limited [Tom's Hardware]. Notable cons include the high cost of essential accessories like the Type Cover and performance that lags behind similarly priced traditional laptops [Tom's Hardware].

The Microsoft Surface Go 2, as reviewed by Engadget, is a refined, portable 10.5-inch tablet featuring a larger display in the same compact chassis as its predecessor, but it suffers from a lack of high-quality, touch-optimized Windows 10 applications. While the premium magnesium build and excellent 1080p webcam are highlights, the device suffers from a "value problem" as essential, costly accessories like the Type Cover ($100–$130) are sold separately. Performance is highly contingent on configuration; the Core m3 model offers solid productivity, whereas the base Pentium model is hindered by slow eMMC storage and limited, single USB-C connectivity.

Gunnar Peipman describes the Surface Go 2 as an ideal, hyper-portable "killer device" for mobility, emphasizing its role as a "always connected" companion for meetings and light work. The device is praised for running full Windows 10, featuring high-quality video capabilities, and offering versatile functionality with the Surface Pen and Office suite. Key limitations include necessary accessories like the Type Cover for productivity, a small screen, and unsuitability for demanding tasks, with a recommendation to use the LTE feature for constant connectivity. Gunnar Peipman

The Microsoft Surface Go 2 is highlighted as a highly portable, versatile hybrid tablet featuring a 10.5-inch 3:2 PixelSense display and a sturdy, lightweight magnesium chassis. While praising its premium design, the review notes the display's color reproduction is somewhat muted, suitable for productivity but less so for creative work. Functional strengths include a USB-C port, a microSD slot, reliable Windows Hello facial recognition, and capable stereo speakers, with the flexibility to switch from Windows 10 S mode to full Windows. Techzine GlobalPerformance, particularly on the Intel Pentium Gold 4425Y model, is limited to light tasks, and the required Type Cover and Surface Pen accessories add to the total cost. Despite these drawbacks, the device delivers around 8 hours of battery life and is positioned as a solid, compact "companion" device. Techzine Global

The Microsoft Surface Go 2 is lauded as a premium-designed, budget-friendly 10.5-inch Windows tablet with an improved, sharper 1920 x 1280 resolution display. It serves as a highly portable, versatile option suitable for students or light, on-the-go productivity, boasting over eight hours of battery life. However, the base model with an Intel Pentium Gold 4425Y and 4GB RAM is described as underpowered, and the total cost increases significantly due to essential accessories like the Type Cover being sold separately.