Is Microsoft’s Surface Laptop Go 2 the Starter Ultrabook to Get?
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 is the tech giant's most affordable and compact PC notebook. Like its predecessor, it has the same design but comes with beefier hardware, a faster newer-generation processor, and more storage in its entry-level guise. With a $599.99 starting price, the Windows 11-toting newcomer is $50 pricier than the first iteration that debuted in 2020 — but given its upgrades, it's a price increase that's well worth your investment.
• 11th-generation Intel Core i5 CPU with Iris Xe graphics
• 12.4-inch PixelSense touchscreen with 141 pixels per inch, 3:2 aspect ratio
• Up to 8GB of RAM, up to 256GB SSD
• USB-A port; USB-C port; Surface Connect port
Surface Laptop Go 2
$699.99
amazon.com
I spent more than a week testing the Surface Laptop Go 2, and although it didn’t stop me in my tracks, I liked it a lot. The product is a compelling option for upgraders seeking a touchscreen ultrabook that won’t break the bank, thanks to its standout design, dependable performance, and stellar brand cachet.
DESIGN: 8/10
Microsoft Surface PCs have been synonymous with exceptional craftsmanship since they first debuted almost a decade ago, and the Laptop Go 2 is no exception. The device looks more upmarket, courtesy of an aluminum cover and wrist pad. Its matte polycarbonate bottom cover, while nowhere near as premium, makes the 2.5-pound notebook impressively featherweight and easy to carry around.
The Surface Laptop Go 2 looks identical to its predecessor (think, a smaller Surface Laptop). In fact, you can only tell the two models apart if the second-generation one rocks a sage color — a subtle shade of green that joined the familiar ice blue, platinum, and sandstone options. I tested a sage unit and can confirm that the new finish is a beautiful color, unlike any other Surface shade.
The quality of the notebook's keyboard and trackpad belie its sticker like its design and build. The well-spaced keys have a quiet operation and just the right amount of travel, with the last-mentioned bit rewarding my inputs with satisfying sensory feedback. Its trackpad is also a home run, with uncompromising precision and speed that are the best in its price range and superior to many pricier PCs.
The lack of keyboard backlighting is my biggest design-related gripe with the Surface Laptop Go 2. The feature was notably missing in the first Laptop Go, so I was optimistic I would see it debut in its successor. Once again, the product is the only Microsoft Surface to lack a backlit cover, trailing even behind the Type Cover of the cheaper Surface Go 3.
The onboard USB-C and USB-A ports (also known as “classic” USB ports) of the Go 2 are on par with those of pricier Surface Laptop models. I particularly enjoyed connecting older USB accessories to the product without looking for a USB-C hub for the task. This is an expected annoyance with most products today as tech gradually transitions to USB-C and phases out USB-A.
DISPLAY: 8/10
Considering the agreeable price and compact size of the Surface Laptop Go 2, its 12.4-inch PixelSense touchscreen is solid. Its 3:2 aspect — a longtime Surface calling card — makes side-by-side multitasking surprisingly convenient despite its compact size.
The display panel has a modest pixel density of 141 ppi, which means it isn't as crisp as the 13.5-inch display panel with 201 ppi of the Surface Laptop 4. To be fair, 15.6-inch laptops with higher-resolution Full HD screens — an industry-standard — have the same 141 ppi sharpness as the Surface Laptop Go 2.
Unless you're obsessed with graphic design and photo-editing projects, you probably won't need more pixels. I found the Go 2 display's more modest resolution to be a worthy tradeoff for the smaller size and price than those of a standard Surface Laptop.
PERFORMANCE: 8/10
Even though it's an entry-level product, the Surface Laptop Go 2 doesn't fall short of hardware capabilities. It packs an 11th-generation Intel processor and graphics that have proven their dependability in the Surface Laptop 4. The chip maker began releasing 12th-generation components to consumer products, but I didn't expect Microsoft to include them in a starter Surface before its top-shelf products, so it comes as no surprise they're absent here.
With 8GB of RAM and a less pixel-dense screen (higher resolutions always put more strain on the graphics and battery), the Intel hardware delivered a snappy performance that exceeded my toned-down expectations. During a week as my go-to computer, it handled my usual workload of toggling between a browser with multiple open tabs, Microsoft Word documents, Affinity Photo, Microsoft Teams, and Slack with ease.
Just like its keyboard that could have used a backlighting upgrade, the HD camera of the Surface Laptop Go 2 has room for improvement. A Full HD unit would have suited the notebook much better, bringing more pixels and crisper picture quality during video calls and virtual meetings. Basic HD (1280 x 720 pixels) is undeniably dated in 2022 — even the cheaper Surface Go 3 has a better webcam.
Having said that, the product's webcam, onboard microphones, and speakers performed well during Microsoft Teams, Slack, and Zoom work sessions. Its Wi-Fi 6 connectivity ensured a stable link to my home network, while up-to-date Bluetooth 5.1 allowed it to pair perfectly with multiple sets of wireless headphones and earbuds.
Microsoft says the Surface Laptop Go 2 can deliver more than 13 hours of screen-on time between charges. I usually got around 6 hours of mixed-use with the display’s brightness well above 50%. While nowhere near as attention-commanding as the best-case scenario number from its maker, the device’s real-life battery life is adequate.
You can power up the Go 2 via its bundled Surface Connect charger. Thankfully, its USB-C port is also suitable for the task. I used it to charge the notebook with a battery pack on the go.
WRAP-UP
I'd take the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 over a similarly priced Chromebook or compact PC for its superior design and hardware, even though its screen resolution and keyboard backlighting leaves something to be desired. Compared to Chrome OS, Windows 11 is a more feature-packed platform with more customization options, high-quality apps, and seamless integration of all Microsoft services — from OneDrive to Xbox cloud gaming.
If hardware specs are a priority to you, you should opt for a big-screen PC laptop with more power, storage, connectivity ports, and a bigger screen, like the Acer Aspire 5 or the HP Pavilion 15, to name a couple. However, be mindful that it won't be even remotely close to the Surface Laptop Go 2 in terms of design appeal and portability.
The $599 entry-level Laptop Go 2 comes with 4GB of RAM and 128GB of zippy SSD storage. I implore you to spend $100 more to double the RAM and make the product more futureproof.
A top-spec model with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage goes for $799.99. You'll get a bigger and sharper screen and a backlit keyboard, to name a couple of benefits, without sacrificing style or portability.
You Might Also Like
