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

Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 es la última incorporación a la familia de dispositivos Surface y su objetivo es ofrecer una experiencia de pantalla táctil premium a un precio asequible. Pero, ¿cómo se compara con la generación anterior y otras computadoras portátiles de su categoría? En esta publicación de blog, revisaremos las características principales, el rendimiento, el diseño y la duración de la batería de Surface Laptop Go 2 y veremos si vale la pena comprarlo.

Surface Laptop Go 2 has a 12.4-inch PixelSense touchscreen display with a resolution of 1536 x 1024 pixels and a 3:2 aspect ratio. The display is bright, crisp 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 display 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 Surface Laptop Go 2’s keyboard and touchpad have also been improved over the previous generation. The keyboard is comfortable, quiet, backlit and has a full-size layout with 1.3 mm 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 for quick and secure sign-in with Windows Hello.

Surface Laptop Go 2 comes in three configurations: the base model has an Intel Core i3-1115G4 processor, 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB 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 a major upgrade 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 such as web browsing, office work, streaming and video conferencing. However, it is not a powerful laptop that can handle heavy multitasking or demanding applications. RAM and storage are also not user-upgradable, so you should choose wisely when purchasing the laptop. The base model with 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of eMMC storage is not recommended, as you will likely have problems 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 only 2.45 pounds (1.11 kg) and measures just 0.62 inches (15.69 mm) 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 class. Microsoft claims it can last up to 13 hours on a single charge, but in actual use it 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 having to plug it in. The laptop also supports fast charging, which can give you up to 80% battery in just over an hour.

Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 is a good choice for anyone looking for a sleek, 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 buying it. It has limited storage and RAM options that the user can’t upgrade; it has mediocre battery life; it has no fan or cooling system; it doesn’t support Wi-Fi 6 or Thunderbolt 4; and it doesn’t come with a Surface pen or keyboard case 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 high-end model with an Intel Core i5 processor. You can buy it from Microsoft’s website or other retailers such as Amazon or Best Buy.

Microsoft has updated its most affordable and lightweight laptop: the new Surface Laptop Go 2 features a Core i5-1135G7 processor from Intel’s Tiger Lake family. Microsoft has not opted for a 12th generation Alder Lake core CPU, 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 lags behind competitors in the same price range. If you only consider the computer’s power and features, even the cheapest Microsoft laptop seems too expensive. 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.

Advantages

+ touch screen

+ light weight

+ silent fan

Cons

– Small SSD

– few ports

The CPU is new and so is the operating system, as Laptop Go 2 runs Windows 11. Everything else remains the same. The current edition of the touchscreen laptop also comes in a sleek silver-gray aluminum casing with a polycarbonate back. The 12.4-inch display 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 thus sparse: on the right side of the notebook is the Microsoft Connect port, with which the notebook can be charged and the optional Surface Dock 2 docking station can be connected. 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 720p resolution and there is a finger sensor hidden in the power button for secure sign-in via Windows Hello. Note: The cheapest configuration with 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of eMMC storage does not have this sensor.