Surface Laptop Go is a different kind of mini-me PC. It has a real Core i5 processor and a slightly bigger screen. Microsoft did cut some corners, but it’s still a cute little laptop. After spending a week with Microsoft’s newest laptop, the Laptop Go, we sure it’s the best notebook for the couch or the classroom.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go is made for a large group of people with simple needs who want a stylish laptop that doesn’t cost a lot. But it still has a lot of the look of a high-end laptop, thanks to its aluminum lid and keyboard deck and thinner bezels than Apple’s laptops.
[content-egg-block template=offers_logo hide=price]Specifications
- Display: 12.4 inch
- RAM: 4GB RAM
- Storage: 64GB
- Processor: Intel Quad-Core i5-1035G1
- Operating System: Windows 10 Pro
Where to get Surface Laptop Go Laptop?
Even though the Surface Laptop Go is less expensive than the Surface Laptop, it doesn’t look it (most of the time). Its machined aluminum lid and keyboard deck, shown here in a sleek Ice Blue, give it the same air of class as its siblings. Microsoft also sells it in Sandstone, which looks like rose gold, and Platinum, which is basically silver. All of these colors are nice, light, and classy, but I think I’d go with Ice Blue.
The Surface Laptop Go has a good number of ports, including 1 x USB-C, 1 x USB-A, a headphone jack, and a Surface Connect port. It still doesn’t have Thunderbolt, though. I’d rather see Microsoft get rid of the Surface Connect port and go with a second USB-C port instead, since its own proprietary cable would often come loose. But what’s here should be just about enough for most people.
Microsoft has added Bluetooth 5.0 and Wi-Fi 6, which is a pleasant surprise. The reception isn’t quite as good as Microsoft’s higher-end products, but that shouldn’t be too much of a problem for everyday use. The way Laptop Go fits and looks is great. You can even use one finger to open the screen cover.
This processor is just one step up from a Core i3 chip, and it has one of the weakest integrated GPUs in the Ice Lake line-up. That’s why this laptop fails at any kind of graphics-intensive work. Basically, you shouldn’t expect to play many games or edit videos on this. But that’s totally fine, because this laptop was not made to handle that kind of work.
Instead, this laptop is good at light tasks like web browsing and word processing. Its bright, colorful screen and good speakers also make it a good choice for watching Netflix in your spare time. That’s really all the Surface Laptop Go is meant to do, and it does it very well. Even with Slack and Spotify running in the background and 12 Chrome tabs open, this laptop continues to fly.