Microsoft’s first stab at a portable Windows tablet, the Surface Go, revealed some of the limitations of the operating system on such a small-size device. The initial effort was promising, but battery life was mediocre, performance lagged, and software quirks had us searching for a workaround.
The new Surface Go 2 addresses most, though not all, of these issues. It’s the most capable tablet I’ve used. There are still things I dislike—most of them related to Windows 10 rather than the device itself—but as long as you don’t need massive processing power for editing photos or videos, this is a compelling and affordable alternative to the traditional laptop; it’s the first device I’d consider laptop-replacement worthy.
Take Two
The second iteration of the Surface Go looks more like the iPad Pro than its predecessor, mostly due to the smaller bezels. The dimensions are unchanged, but by slimming down those edges around the screen, Microsoft has managed to pack in a slightly larger display (10.5 inches over 10 inches on the original Go). It gives the Go 2 a more modern look, but it also contributes to the iPad-ness of the device’s outward appearance.
The model I tested has the slightly faster Intel Core M3 chip, with 8 gigabytes of RAM and a 128-gigabyte solid state drive. That brings the base price to $629. Throw in the Type Cover and your total will be $760. That’s a bit more than a good cheap laptop, but less than the 11-inch iPad Pro with Apple’s Smart Keyboard, which will set you back more than $900.
It looks sleeker now, but the real improvements are tucked away under the glass, namely the much-improved battery life. In the original Go, battery life