Microsoft has decided to expand its Surface range with a new model: the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go. A lightweight laptop at a mini price that we have tested.
Overview
Take the design of a Surface Book and add the features of a Surface Go and you will get a Surface Laptop Go! A very compact and affordable laptop to fit between a Go and a Pro. A device aimed at students and people with a smaller budget, but who want to enjoy a device with the Microsoft logo.
Despite its name, the Surface Laptop Go does not offer a detachable keyboard (unlike the Go and Pro). For the older models, it looks like the netbooks that Asus inaugurated with its Eee PC range are coming back. Microsoft describes it as: “A perfect balance of style, performance and versatility”
Microsoft Surface Laptop Go characteristics
- Screen 12,4″ HD+ (1,536 x 1,024 pixels) IPS “PixelSense” IPS.
- Intel Core i5-1035G1 processor.
- 4 or 8 GB RAM
- 64 or 128 or 256 GB SSD.
- 1 USB-C port, 1 USB-A port, 1 Jack 3.5 mm, 1 biometric sensor, 1 HD camera (720p).
- Wi-Fi 6 Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity.
- Dimensions: 278.18 x 205.67 x 15.69mm.
- Weight: 1,1kg
- Colors: Ice Blue, Sand and Platinum (the model tested here).
- Price: 629€ (4Gb, 64Gb), 799€ (8Gb, 128Gb) and 999€ (8Gb, 256Gb).
A biometric sensor to reduce costs
The Surface Laptop Go features a biometric sensor (except on the $620 model) instead of the dedicated infrared sensors to work with Windows Hello. Unlike other keyboard keys, you will have to press much harder to turn off the PC (the PC turns on automatically when you lift the screen), this will prevent the most wicked people from turning off the PC by trying to put your finger on the sensor. Moreover, a luminous ring will be activated when the system needs your fingerprint, it is the only light coming from the keyboard unfortunately since it is not backlit. In spite of this small oversight, the keyboard is very pleasant to use and the pad is also very responsive.
Connectiviy ports of the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go
As far as connectivity is concerned, the Surface Laptop Go offers almost the bare minimum with a USB, a USB Type C and a jack port. On the other side, there is the proprietary charging port well known to Surface owners. Note that the USB Type C port can also be used to charge the PC. We would have liked to find an SD or micro SD port.
A correct screen in a 3:2 format
As with the entire Surface range, the screen of the Surface Laptop Go is touch-sensitive. Its definition is only HD+ (1536 x 1024 px) but with a 12.4-inch format, it doesn’t bother too much on a daily basis.
Performance and autonomy of the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go
*Performance
The Surface Laptop Go is equipped with a 10th generation Intel processor, so don’t expect too much from this machine which is not able to run recent games with acceptable quality. However, if we limit ourselves to office automation, multimedia and the web, it’s more than enough and the machine responds well!
*Autonomy
If in autonomy, Microsoft announces 13 hours, we never managed to reach them, but the computer still managed to hold a full day (with Media and a lot of web). So we go down to 8-10h with a restricted use.
Conclusion
Visually just as beautiful as the other products in the Surface range, this Laptop Go has nothing to envy them. With an entry price of $630, it is an excellent product to compete with a Macbook, but other manufacturers offer similar or even better products at this price. The atypical screen seduced me and it remains very pleasant to use.