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

The Microsoft Surface Go 2, honored with an Editors' Choice award, offers a significantly improved experience over its predecessor, featuring a sleeker 10.5-inch PixelSense display, a premium magnesium alloy body, and a versatile, sturdy kickstand. The upgraded Intel Core m3 model delivers efficient performance for daily tasks, complemented by a superior 1080p front-facing camera with Windows Hello and an improved battery life exceeding 13 hours in testing. However, the device suffers from a high total cost of ownership as the necessary Type Cover and Pen are sold separately, and the compact keyboard can feel cramped, while the single USB-C port limits connectivity.

The Microsoft Surface Go 2 is a compact 10.5-inch tablet featuring a high-quality magnesium build, an improved display with thinner bezels, and an excellent integrated kickstand. Key pros include a superior webcam and versatile functionality for light tasks, though the base model is hampered by a slow processor, making the pricier Core m3 version essential for better performance. Despite being a refined, portable Windows 10 device, the Surface Go 2 suffers from high accessory costs, mediocre battery life lasting around seven hours, and a high price-to-performance ratio.

The Microsoft Surface Go 2 is a lightweight tablet featuring a premium magnesium body and a 10.5-inch PixelSense display, offering sharp visuals and a robust, adjustable kickstand for productivity. The device boasts high-quality, slim-bezel construction and an excellent 1080p webcam for video calls, making it a capable portable machine for both work and media. Performance-wise, the Core m3 model excels at daily tasks like browsing and office work, though it faces limitations during intensive tasks, causing potential stuttering. Battery life is considered decent for moderate usage, but it does not quite offer all-day longevity. Critiques of the device center on its total cost, as essential accessories like the Type Cover are sold separately, pushing the price into higher-end territory. The device comes in Windows 10 S mode to maintain performance, and while it acts as a superior "companion" device, it is not recommended as a primary machine for demanding users.

The Microsoft Surface Go 2 enhances its predecessor with a larger 10.5-inch PixelSense display featuring reduced bezels and a sturdy magnesium alloy chassis. It is a versatile 2-in-1 device featuring a highly adjustable, 165-degree kickstand and efficient fanless cooling. While it ships with Windows 10 Home in S mode, it can be upgraded to full Windows 10, allowing standard application support. Key advantages include excellent portability, a bright 413-nit display with 97.7% sRGB coverage, and a high-quality 5MP front camera with superior microphones. The Intel Core m3-8100Y configuration provides a 62% multi-core performance boost over the previous model. However, the base model with an Intel Pentium Gold 4425Y and 64GB eMMC storage suffers from performance limitations, and the Type Cover and Pen are sold separately, raising the total cost. Battery life for typical, mixed usage generally lasts between 7.5 and 8.5 hours. For more details, visit Galaxus.

Paul Thurrott’s review describes the Microsoft Surface Go 2 as a premium, "mini Surface Pro" that brings excellent build quality, a durable magnesium body, and a versatile kickstand to an ultra-portable form factor. Key advantages highlighted include the high-quality stereo speakers, a 10.5-inch display, and the seamless Windows Hello facial recognition feature. However, significant drawbacks include middling 5-6 hour real-world battery life and severely limited performance on the base model, which features an Intel Pentium Gold processor, 4GB of RAM, and slow 64GB eMMC storage. Thurrott.comFurthermore, the review notes that the high cost of essential accessories, specifically the Type Cover, makes the final price less competitive. While well-designed, the small screen and cramped keyboard limit its utility for heavy productivity, leading to it being better suited as a secondary device for adults or a primary device for children. For most users looking for a portable consumption tablet, the iPad is deemed superior due to its better app ecosystem.

The Microsoft Surface Go 2 is presented as a superior, highly portable 2-in-1 device for productivity, boasting a premium magnesium alloy chassis, a 10.5-inch 3:2 display, and a high-quality front-facing camera ideal for video conferencing. Unlike the iPad, it offers a full Windows 10 experience and versatile, professional-grade peripherals, making it effective for on-the-go work. However, the experience is hindered by additional costs for accessories, mediocre battery life, and a cramped keyboard, with the entry-level model providing limited performance.

The Mashable review characterizes the Microsoft Surface Go 2 as a highly versatile 2-in-1 device that combines improved portability with full Windows 10 functionality, featuring a 10.5-inch PixelSense display with thinner bezels. Key advantages include the versatile 165-degree kickstand, suitable for both work and media consumption, and the upgraded Intel Core m3 processor option that boosts performance over the base Pentium model. Ideal for students and professionals, the device boasts high-quality dual "Studio" microphones and a 5MP front-facing camera for clear teleconferencing, according to the review. While it handles daily tasks efficiently, the review highlights significant drawbacks, including a mediocre battery life that lasted roughly 4.5 to 6 hours in testing, falling short of manufacturer claims. MashableFurthermore, the review notes that the $400 starting price increases significantly when essential accessories like the Type Cover and Surface Pen are added, pushing the final cost into the range of more capable, full-sized laptops. For the full, detailed review, visit Mashable.

The Microsoft Surface Go 2 is a portable, magnesium-bodied 2-in-1 featuring a high-quality 10.5-inch 3:2 IPS display with 99% sRGB coverage and an accurate dEd cap E𝑑𝐸 of 1.7. It excels in light workloads, offering silent, fanless operation and an improved 1080p, IR-enabled front camera for secure Windows Hello logins. Key advantages include over 12 hours of battery life and a premium, durable build. However, performance is limited to entry-level Intel Pentium Gold or Core m3 processors, which can struggle with heavy, sustained multitasking. Drawbacks highlighted by the review include the lack of rubber feet on the kickstand, making it prone to sliding, and the device's essentially non-upgradable nature. The review strongly recommends the 128GB SSD model over the slower 64GB eMMC version, noting that essential accessories like the keyboard are sold separately. LaptopMedia

The Microsoft Surface Go 2 is a highly portable 2-in-1 tablet featuring a premium magnesium alloy chassis, an versatile integrated kickstand, and a bright, 10.5-inch 3:2 IPS display with excellent color accuracy. Performance is suited for light tasks, with the base Pentium model often struggling with heavy multitasking, while the upgraded Core m3 configuration offers better responsiveness, complemented by an excellent 1080p webcam. Pros include its portable design, superior screen, and silent operation, while cons include mediocre battery life, limited I/O with a single USB-C port, and a required, separate purchase for the keyboard cover. RTINGS.com

The Microsoft Surface Go 2 brings a premium, high-end design to an affordable, portable 10.5-inch tablet format, featuring a vibrant PixelSense display and improved battery life. While praised for its build quality and Windows Hello functionality, the base model is hampered by a weak Intel Pentium processor, limited 4GB of RAM, and slow 64GB eMMC storage, making it unsuitable for demanding tasks. Furthermore, the necessity of purchasing the Surface Go Type Cover and Pen separately inflates the total cost, making it best suited as a portable secondary device for light usage.

The Microsoft Surface Go 2 is a premium, lightweight tablet-laptop hybrid featuring a superior 10.5-inch display, an excellent 1080p webcam, and high-quality audio, making it an ideal companion device. It boasts a durable magnesium chassis and a comfortable optional Type Cover, though its compact form factor means it is designed for portability over raw power. Expert ReviewsWhile the Core m3 model offers a boost in speed, performance remains limited to light tasks like web browsing and email, often struggling with heavy multitasking. Furthermore, the 7-hour battery life is merely average for this class of device, falling short of expectations for an all-day portable machine. Expert ReviewsUltimately, the Surface Go 2 is a polished but expensive "compromise device," as the necessary accessories significantly raise the cost. It is recommended only for users needing a secondary, highly portable device, rather than a primary work computer. Expert Reviews

The Microsoft Surface Go 2, as reviewed by Laptop Mag, is a significant upgrade featuring a 10.5-inch, 1920 x 1280 PixelSense display with thinner bezels and a premium 1.2-pound magnesium chassis. Performance is boosted by the Intel Core m3-8100Y processor (up to 64% faster) and battery life significantly improves, lasting nearly 11 hours and 39 minutes, alongside high-quality dual 1080p cameras and Windows Hello support. However, the Type Cover and Surface Pen are sold separately—significantly increasing the cost—while the base Pentium model is underpowered, the SSD is relatively slow, and the kickstand remains uncomfortable for lap use.

The IGN review highlights the Microsoft Surface Go 2 as a highly portable, versatile 2-in-1 device featuring an improved 10.5-inch PixelSense display and a premium magnesium build. Key pros include the vibrant screen with reduced bezels and the functional kickstand, making it ideal for light productivity and casual use. However, the device is limited by its performance, struggling with demanding tasks and offering gaming limited to light titles. Performance, while suitable for basic office tasks and web browsing, is a limitation for power users, and the optional Type Cover can feel cramped. Real-world battery life proved to be a notable con, often falling short of Microsoft's 10-hour claim, lasting between 3.5 to 6.5 hours depending on usage. The review advises that while the $399 base model is an attractive entry point, it lacks speed, recommending the $549 configuration for better performance. Prospective buyers should also factor in the extra cost for the essential Type Cover keyboard.

The Microsoft Surface Go 2 improves on its predecessor with a larger, brighter 10.5-inch display, enhanced 11-hour+ battery life, and a superior 5MP webcam, making it an excellent portable device for video calls. Upgrading to the Intel Core m3 processor offers solid performance for multitasking, though the base model's Pentium Gold processor is slower. Key drawbacks include the high added cost of the Type Cover and Pen, as well as performance limitations compared to more expensive tablets, with base models using slower eMMC storage.

The Microsoft Surface Go 2 is a compact 2-in-1, featuring a 10.5-inch display, a sturdy kickstand, and a high-quality 1080p webcam, making it highly portable for light tasks. While offering a premium build, performance varies; the base Intel Pentium model is sluggish, whereas the Core m3 version handles daily tasks better, though neither is designed for intensive workloads. Key drawbacks include the high total cost due to necessary, separately sold accessories like the Type Cover, and a 8–9 hour battery life that lags behind competitors. Pros include excellent portability, a sharp screen, and superior video conferencing capabilities, while cons include weak base performance and an expensive, cramped keyboard, according to Trusted Reviews. Copy

The Microsoft Surface Go 2 is a compact, fanless 2-in-1 device featuring a sturdy magnesium chassis, an integrated kickstand, and a high-quality 10.5-inch 1920x1280 IPS display. Performance is designed for light workloads, with the Intel Core m3-8100Y option and the 8GB RAM/128GB SSD configuration recommended over the 4GB/64GB eMMC base model to ensure a capable Windows 10 experience. The device offers a 99% sRGB color gamut and approximately 12 hours of web browsing, though its non-upgradable design, potential for slipping on smooth surfaces, and high accessory costs (Type Cover/Pen sold separately) are notable drawbacks.

The Microsoft Surface Go 2, reviewed in OneZero (Medium), is positioned as a highly portable "couch computer" bridging the gap between tablets and functional PCs. The Intel Core m3 processor and 8GB RAM configuration significantly improve performance over the original model, enabling light coding in VS Code and photo editing in Photoshop. Notable pros include a high-resolution 10.5-inch PixelSense display, a versatile kickstand, and optional LTE connectivity. Despite its strengths, the review notes the device is not suitable for heavy gaming or intensive multitasking, which can cause it to become sluggish. The small screen size can hinder productivity and requires frequent scrolling. Furthermore, the added costs of the Surface Type Cover and Pen diminish the overall value proposition compared to higher-performance laptops.

The Microsoft Surface Go 2 is a polished, compact 2-in-1 featuring a premium magnesium design, a flexible 180-degree kickstand, and a high-resolution 10.5-inch PixelSense display. It boasts a great 5MP front camera and reliable Windows Hello, though its base Intel Pentium Gold 4425Y processor and 4GB RAM struggle with heavy multitasking. Significant cons include the added cost of required accessories like the Type Cover and mediocre battery life under heavy, real-world usage. Ultimately, the Surface Go 2 is recommended as a secondary, portable device for light tasks rather than a primary laptop replacement.

The Microsoft Surface Go 2 is lauded for bridging the gap between a portable tablet and a functional Windows laptop, featuring a 10.5-inch PixelSense touchscreen, premium magnesium alloy design, and a versatile kickstand. Key pros include a high-quality 1080p front-facing camera with Windows Hello and a bright, colour-accurate display. However, the T3 review highlights significant cons, noting the device's limited power, which struggles with heavy multitasking. Furthermore, essential accessories like the Type Cover keyboard are sold separately, raising the overall cost, and connectivity is constrained to a single USB-C port. With a 10-hour battery life in video tests, the Surface Go 2 is recommended for light, portable "grown-up" computing. Nevertheless, it is suggested that users requiring more performance consider higher-spec models or traditional laptops to avoid the high costs of upgrading the base configuration.