Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 review 2024: light-duty laptop

The Surface Laptop Go, Microsoft has introduced the Surface Laptop Go 2, a 12-inch laptop. However, in keeping with Microsoft’s usual approach, there are not many notable enhancements, as the company has chosen to retain the familiar clamshell design, albeit with an added Sage color option. To enhance performance and battery life, Microsoft has incorporated a new 11th Generation Intel Core processor into the device.

Nevertheless, aside from these improvements, the laptop remains virtually unchanged from its previous iteration. It is worth noting that Microsoft has eliminated the base configuration, which means that the model with 64GB of eMMC storage is no longer available for purchase. Nonetheless, the starting price of $599.99/£529 sets it apart from the majority of Windows laptops, offering an affordable option for consumers.

Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 Specifications

Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 review: Screen

Microsoft has done nothing to improve the display since the initial release of the Surface Laptop Go in 2020, when it was widely regarded as the device’s biggest flaw. Images on this laptop aren’t as sharp as they would be on a Full HD (or greater) display because of its relatively modest resolution of 1536 x 1024. The tall 3:2 aspect ratio is better suited to web pages and documents than video, making this a poor complement to services like Netflix and Disney Plus. While the Surface Laptop Go 2’s screen isn’t as sharp as I’d like, I’ve still enjoyed viewing Attenborough’s Our Planet on it. You can buy this laptop rom its official website

Keyboard and trackpad

Despite its compact dimensions, the Surface Laptop Go 2 nevertheless accommodates a standard-sized keyboard. It’s almost as far out as the device’s edges, making it convenient for typing.

The peculiarity of the fingerprint sensor is compounded by the presence of a bright light bar around it. The standard controls for brightness and volume are on the top row, along with a play/pause button, and quick access to the search bar and the Settings menu.

Although compact, the gadget provides considerable space for resting palms on either side of the trackpad. It’s upholstered in the same plush fabric as the keyboard’s keys, though you won’t find the luxurious Alcantara option there. The trackpad, despite this, is highly functional and intuitive.

Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 review: Performance

The 11th Gen Intel Core i5-1135G7 processor is the biggest change to the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2. It is a step up from the 10th Gen Intel Core i5-1135G7 processor. That is still a generation behind the best and newest computers on the market, which now have 12th Generation Intel chips.

But we think it’s a fair solution, especially since the price is so low that it beats most Windows-based competitors. We did notice a difference in speed between the Surface Laptop Go 2 and other laptops I’ve tested recently. Websites and apps took a few seconds longer to load on the Surface Laptop Go 2.

Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 review: Battery Life

The Surface Laptop Go 2 was able to last for 9 hours and 11 minutes when the brightness was turned down to 150 nits and the PCMark 10 battery benchmark was used to model normal use. In the same test, the first Surface Laptop Go ran for 8 hours and 44 minutes.

Final Words

The Surface Laptop Go 2 is better in almost every way than the first one. It is faster, runs cooler and quieter, has a better camera, is easier to fix, and, most importantly, costs less. It’s still not a “budget” machine, but the price reflects what it has to give better. It has a great keyboard and trackpad, decent performance, and charges quickly.

Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 review: The good and The bad

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