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Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 in test: second generation of the touchscreen laptop

Microsoft

Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 is the latest addition to the Surface family of devices and aims to offer a premium touchscreen experience at an affordable price. But how does it compare to the previous generation and other laptops in its category? In this publication of blog, we'll review the main features, performance, design, and battery life of the Surface Laptop Go 2 and see if it's worth buying.

Microsoft
Microsoft

Surface Laptop Go 2 has a 12,4-inch PixelSense touchscreen with a resolution of 1536 x 1024 pixels and an aspect ratio of 3:2. The screen is bright, sharp, and responsive, and supports Windows 10 gestures and Surface Pen input. The screen is also slightly larger than the first-generation Surface Laptop Go, which had a 12,45-inch screen with a lower resolution of 1366 x 912 pixels. The bezels around the screen are also thinner on the new model, giving it a more modern look.

The keyboard and touchpad on the Surface Laptop Go 2 have also been improved over the previous generation. The keyboard is comfortable, quiet, backlit, and has a full-size layout with 1,3mm of key travel. The touchpad is smooth, large, and supports multi-touch gestures. The keyboard also has a fingerprint reader integrated into the power button, allowing you to log in quickly and securely with Windows Hello.

Surface Laptop Go 2 comes in three configurations: the base model has an Intel Core i3-1115G4 processor, 4GB of RAM, and 64GB of eMMC storage; the mid-range model has an Intel Core i5-1135G7 processor, 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of SSD storage; and the high-end model has an Intel Core i5-1135G7 processor, 16 GB of RAM and 256 GB of SSD storage. The processor is one of the major upgrades from the first-generation Surface Laptop Go, which had an Intel Core i5-1035G1 processor. The new processor is faster, more efficient, and supports Intel Iris Xe graphics, which can handle casual gaming and video editing.

The Surface Laptop Go 2's performance is decent for everyday tasks like web browsing, office work, streaming, and video conferencing. However, it is not a powerful laptop that can handle heavy multitasking or demanding applications. The RAM and storage are also not user-upgradable, so you need to choose wisely when purchasing the laptop. The base model with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of eMMC storage is not recommended as you will likely have issues with Windows 10 updates and running multiple programs. Mid-range and high-end models with SSD storage are much faster and more reliable.

The Surface Laptop Go 2 design is sleek, lightweight, and portable. It weighs just 1,11 kg (2,45 pounds) and measures just 15,69 mm (0,62 inches) thick. It has a metal lid and keyboard, and a plastic back that comes in three colors: platinum, sandstone, and ice blue. The laptop also has a 720p HD webcam with dual far-field studio microphones, Dolby Audio speakers, a headphone jack, a USB-C port, a USB-A port, and a Surface Connect port for charging and docking.

The Surface Laptop Go 2's battery life is average for its category. Microsoft claims it can last up to 13 hours on a single charge, but actual use will vary depending on your settings and activities. According to some tests by reviewers, the laptop can last between 7 and 10 hours of mixed use before needing to be plugged in. The laptop also supports fast charging, which can give you up to 80% battery in just over an hour.

The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 is a good choice for anyone looking for a stylish, compact, and versatile touchscreen laptop that doesn't cost a lot of money. It has a good screen, keyboard, touchpad, fingerprint reader, webcam, speakers, ports and processor for its price range. However, it also has some drawbacks that may make you think twice before purchasing it. It has limited RAM and storage options that cannot be upgraded by the user; has mediocre battery life; It does not have a fan or ventilation system; does not support Wi-Fi 6 or Thunderbolt 4; and it doesn't come with a Surface Pen or Type Cover included.

The Surface Laptop Go 2 starts at $549 for the base model with an Intel Core i3 processor; $699 for the mid-range model with an Intel Core i5 processor; and $899 for the top-end model with an Intel Core i5 processor. You can buy it from Microsoft's website or from other retailers like Amazon or Best Buy.

Microsoft has updated its most affordable and lightest laptop: the new Surface Laptop Go 2 features a Core i5-1135G7 processor from Intel's Tiger Lake family. Microsoft hasn't opted for a 12th-gen CPU with Alder Lake cores, which may disappoint some customers, but is consistent with Surface's internal hierarchy. Because none of the devices in the entire model series have Alder Lake yet.

TEST REVIEW: Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2

The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 performs slightly better in our tests than its predecessor, which is still widely available, but falls behind competitors in the same price range. If you only consider the power and features of the computer, even the cheapest Microsoft laptop seems overpriced. However, the high-resolution 3:2 touchscreen, ergonomic keyboard, and pleasantly quiet fan set it apart from the average in its class: if you value these features highly in office use, you should consider them.

Microsoft
Microsoft

Advantages

+ touch screen

+ light weight

+ silent fan

Cons

– Small SSD

– few ports

The CPU is new and so is the operating system, as the Laptop Go 2 runs Windows 11. Everything else remains the same. The current edition of the touchscreen laptop also comes in a sleek silver-grey aluminum casing, with a polycarbonate bottom. The 12,4-inch screen has a resolution of 1536 x 1024 pixels and a 3:2 aspect ratio typical of Surface devices and well suited for work.

See Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 on Amazon

The ports also remain unchanged and therefore scarce: On the right side of the laptop is the Microsoft Connect port, with which you can charge the laptop and connect the optional Surface Dock 2 docking station. The other ports are on the left side: a Type A port (USB 3.2 Gen 1) and a Type C port, as well as an audio jack. The camera has a resolution of 720p and there is a finger sensor hidden in the power button for secure login via Windows Hello. Note: The cheapest configuration with 4 GB RAM and 64 GB eMMC storage does not have this sensor.