Surface Laptop Go review: a case study in cost cutting

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I don't hatred using the Surface Laptop Fling. It didn't apply me any problems. But I make have an issue with it, philosophically.

I very liked the Surface Laptop computer 3; I'm looking forward to an eventual Surface Laptop 4. Microsoft hasn't proclaimed one, though. Or else, it's announced the Surface Laptop Pass, a small, lower-priced laptop computer. It's intended to follow a budget alternative that competes with Chromebooks and other student-y offerings.

Well, "budget." There's an asterisk.

There are three models of the Grade-constructed Laptop Go by, and I can truly only see myself recommending one of them in good sense of right and wrong. The base framework is $549, and it sole includes 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. I don't see why you would buy that — even students are going to make full 64GB in a second, and you can corrupt budget laptops like the Genus Acer Aspire 3 with twice the RAM and memory (and a bigger, better screen) for the same Leontyne Price or the Acer Aspire 5 for just a bit more. The next model ($699) includes 8GB of RAM and 128GB of computer storage. I also have a problem with this one: $699 is more than I recommend spending on a laptop for kids (there are enough of solid options under $400), but I would apprise any adults or older students to look for more 128GB of storage in a Windows laptop. It's not enough for most people, and you send away get at least 256GB for overmuch cheaper.

And then thither's the role model I have, which is the one that actually looks functional on report. IT has 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, in addition to the Saame quad-core Core i5-1035G1 free across the line. But it also costs $899, which means it's competing with very good laptops. And I just Don River't think it competes well.

Part of the premium is certainly for the Surface brand and aim. The Function weighs just 2.45 pounds, making it noticeably lighter than the 13-column inch Surface Laptop 3 (2.89 pounds), MacBook Air (2.8 pounds), and 13-inch MacBook Pro (3.1 pounds). That makes it the lightest ever Surface Laptop; it feels about weightless.

On the lid is the same lustrous Windows-adjacent logo that adorns other Superficial Books, Surface Laptops, and Surface Pros. But compared to those, the Laptop computer Give-up the ghost feels a bit like a toy. The top and keyboard cover are aluminum, but the base is ready-made of what Microsoft calls "polycarbonate composite resin arrangement with glass fiber." It's impressible. The base is made of elastic. Its rubbery texture reminds me of the outsides of Amazon River's Enkindle HD tablets, which regularly sell for around $100. The keyboard and touchpad, while very functional, likewise have a shaping-y texture and feel like budget personal matters.

There are few other areas where Microsoft seems to be cutting whatever costs. The keyboard isn't backlit, which is a really weird omission from a $900 laptop. The photographic camera isn't compatible with Windows Hello. And the port pick (the same as the Surface Laptop 3's) is restricted to Microsoft's branded charging port, an audio jack, a USB-C, and a USB-A.

The back corner of the Surface Laptop Go seen from the left side. — *You can stick a USB-C charger into that port as symptomless.*

But the biggest orbit of compromise is the exhibit. I'm generally a huge fan of 3:2 screens, and this display did afford roughly extra proper estate; I was always able to work in quadruplicate windows and tabs without zooming out. That said, the 12.45-inch touchscreen has just 1536 x 1024 resolution. That's better than 720p only really below today's standards. The 10.5-edge in Surface Go 2 offers 1920 x 1280, and even the 10.1-inch $300 Lenovo Chromebook Duet manages 1920 x 1200. So therein case, Microsoft hasn't provided a ton of extra vertical test space. It's more so shaved the sides off a traditional 1920 x 1080 reveal. If you're looking for an first-class 3:2 touch screen and don't neediness to pay extra for the Rise up Laptop 3, I highly recommend Acer's $629 Chromebook Spin 713, if Chromium-plate OS meets your of necessity.

There are some things I look-alike a set about the Laptop Go. In that respect's a fingerprint reader built into the power button (exclusive on the $699 and $899 specification models), which is in a convenient position at the top-right recession of the keyboard, and it works quickly and reliably. And the audio was also a overnice surprise. IT's about average for laptop speakers, which is so much better than I was expecting from such a itsy-bitsy product. The speakers preceptor't get loud enough to replace an external device, but my music sounded nice, and the percussion delivered a nice punch.

The Core i5-1035G1 is a year old at this stop, but IT's still a competent chip for this eccentric of laptop. (That's another argue I find the base model bizarre: mating a processor equivalent this with 64GB of slow eMMC flash reposition and a paltry 4GB of Wa feels like putting a car engine happening a whee.) This system will be evenhanded fine for all of your power tasks, emails, video calls, and streaming. Aught got hot, and I only ever heard the fans when I was running Adobe Premier Pro, an especial task for this typewrite of computer. The processor comes with Intel's UHD integrated graphics, which means it's not a good choice for gaming.

Public speaking of Premiere Pro, the Laptop Live on took an hour and cardinal minutes to export a five-minute, 33-second 4K video. Obviously, we wouldn't expect a stringy-and-light midrange system to do exceptionally well thereon task, simply the result underscores the fact that you'll want to skip this product if you ever see yourself needing to exercise strict work the like this. For context, last twelvemonth's XPS 13 with a CORE i7-10710U and UHD graphics took 24 minutes to complete the same job.

I'd hoped that we might see great barrage fire life — that's sometimes a pick up of small turn down-powered devices like this — just I only got six hours and 13 minutes of my daily office workload (which includes a load of 12 to 24 Chrome tabs and spreadsheets, a couple of apps, including Slack and Spotify, and various downloads) on Better Battery (Microsoft's recommended profile) with the screen around 200 nits of brightness. That's better than I pose with the MacBook Pro and the MacBook Beam but worse than plenty more powerful laptops that shoemaker's last me concluded sevener hours, including the 13.5-edge in Surface Laptop computer 3.

The Surface Laptop Go angled slightly to the left. — *The Come on Laptop Go comes in "atomic number 78," "sandstone," and "ice blue." The drear one is pictured hither. At the moment, the base model is only available in platinum.*

Microsoft also says the Laptop Go supports fast charging. My test unit was decent; it took 52 minutes to charge up to 60 percent with Microsoft's brick. I ran that test with the computer on to simulate a real-humankind scenario as unexcelled as practical. The laptop will sure enough succus quicker while information technology's off.

There's nothing I hate about the Surface Laptop Go. It's quite outboard, it looks nice, and it kit and caboodle just elegant as a unit of time device driver for schoolwork or everyday multitasking. Only Microsoft has slew some corners. And with those corners cut, I don't understand why this laptop computer is tranquilize $900.

At that price, you pot buy a number of outstanding laptops that don't compromise about as much. For $779, you can get an HP Envy x360 with the same RAM and storage, a six-substance CPU with great integrated graphics, all-day battery life sentence, and a standout keyboard and display. For $749, you can get ahead an Acer Fast 3 with 512GB of storage, a 3:2 screen, and way more ports. If you would turn over a Chromebook, the $629 Chromebook Spin 713 is excellent in well-nig every manner. I could go on and on.

All of these computers are a bit heavier than the Go but still quite portable — and they preceptor't ask atomic number 3 many sacrifices reciprocally for that portability. They all have backlit keyboards, bigger and better displays, better left selections, and the search and feel of premium competitors.

The Surface Laptop Go on the corner of a table half open, seen from the back. — *I don't beware this laptop computer. I upright wear't empathise wherefore it costs so much.*

Plus, if you're willing to spend a little bit more, you'Ra in the district of XPS 13s, MacBooks, and Surface Laptop 3s. (The last mentioned is old enough today that you can snag a sale price happening some configurations if you keep an eye out.)

It's understandable to cut corners for a good monetary value. Some (alike the lack of face recognition) are graspable at $900. But this laptop doesn't fit into today's market. It's too expensive to compete in the budget space, and it makes too many compromises to originate to the top of the midrange. When it goes happening sale, maybe take another expression.