Surface Laptop Go 2 review: Basic, but in a good way

The phrase primary will get a foul rap. However there’s one thing to be stated for easy gadgets that ship all the things you want with out a bunch of expensive extras. So whereas the brand new Surface Laptop Go 2 isn’t as flashy because the Floor Studio or as versatile as a Floor Professional 8, it delivers all of the necessities for a really reasonably priced value. And because of a refreshed CPU, upgraded storage, redesigned followers and a beginning value of simply $600, now you get much more in your cash. 

Design

Not quite a bit has modified concerning the design, and I do not care as a result of it is primary in the perfect methods. You continue to get that tremendous minimalist Floor aesthetic in a light-weight 2.5-pound physique. Microsoft makes use of aluminum on its lid and deck, however a plastic backside helps hold its value down. Inside, the 12.4-inch PixelSense show has slim bezels, and whereas the Laptop computer Go 2’s keycaps and touchpad are a bit smaller than what you’d get on an even bigger Floor, it by no means felt cramped. That stated, I believe not including backlighting to the keyboard was a bit too frugal on Microsoft’s half. It is 2022: Backlit keys must be commonplace, no matter value. 

Now, I need to admit that the port choice does really feel a bit restricted. All you get is one USB-A connection, one USB-C socket, a headphone jack and a magnetic Floor Join slot. My perfect laptop computer has no less than three USB ports. And in contrast to its larger siblings, the Floor Laptop computer Go 2 does not have a bonus USB-A port on its energy brick, which might be actually useful for while you wish to recharge an additional accent. On the brilliant aspect, the Laptop computer Go 2 does assist USB-C energy supply, so if you need, you’ll be able to simply change out Microsoft’s included brick for a third-party charging adapter.

I additionally wish to point out that whereas our higher-end overview unit does include a fingerprint sensor constructed into its energy button, you will not get that on the bottom mannequin. Once more, I do know Microsoft is attempting to maintain prices down, however this could actually be out there on each config.

Show, webcam and sound

As for the show, Microsoft caught with the identical 1,536 x 1,024 touchscreen it used on the outdated mannequin. No, it’s not even full HD, however colours are vibrant, and whereas Microsoft claims a brightness of 330 nits, our overview unit really registered a way more spectacular 375 nits. So kudos to Microsoft for exceeding its nominal specs. Would I desire a barely larger decision? In fact. However on a 12.4-inch display screen, issues nonetheless look fairly crisp. From a standard viewing distance, you do not actually discover the decrease pixel density. 

Microsoft additionally says the Laptop computer Go 2 audio system are 24 p.c louder than earlier than, and that feels about proper. You are not going to see any apparent speaker grilles as a result of all the things is hidden beneath the keyboard. However audio nonetheless comes by means of fairly clearly, even when the soundstage comes off a bit shallow with much less element within the highs and lows that I’d like. However on a system that begins at $600, I am glad. 

The Laptop computer Go 2’s webcam continues to be simply 720p, however Microsoft says there is a new sensor inside that improves distinction and colour saturation. And you understand what, it does. I nonetheless keep {that a} 1080p webcam must be the minimal. However except you are livestreaming on Twitch or one thing, which is form of exterior the system’s meant use case, this webcam is loads succesful.         

Efficiency                                                  

Crucial enhancements on the Floor Laptop computer Go 2 are to its efficiency. Microsoft has upgraded to an Eleventh-gen Intel Core i5 CPU, which is not innovative, however has greater than sufficient oomph to make sure normal productiveness feels snappy. In comparison with an even bigger machine just like the HP Spectre x360 with an i5-11390H chip, the Laptop computer Go 2’s scores had been solely round 10 p.c decrease on normal efficiency checks like PCMark 10 and Geekbench 5. Although its lack of discrete graphics holds it again throughout extra demanding checks or workloads.

Sadly, Microsoft caught with simply 4GB of RAM on the bottom mannequin, which is a bit skimpy, and might be why the corporate despatched out a higher-spec mannequin with 8GB of RAM for overview. And if you happen to determine to select one up, it is best to in all probability pay $100 for that improve. In the meantime, the largest change is that the Floor Laptop computer Go 2 now comes with a 128GB SSD commonplace, as a substitute of the 64GB eMMC drive you bought earlier than. So that you get sooner storage and extra of it, even on the bottom mannequin.

In the actual world, the Floor Laptop computer Go 2 has no points rapidly switching between a bunch of browser tabs, a number of workplace apps and extra – which is de facto all I am asking for in a system like this. And because of its built-in Intel Iris Xe graphics, you’ll be able to even do some mild video modifying and informal gaming, although something extra is unquestionably pushing it. 

Battery life and thermals

Battery life on the Floor Laptop computer Go 2 is powerful, lasting 14 hours and 43 minutes on our video rundown check. That’s even longer than what you get with dearer Surfaces, together with the Floor Professional 8 (13:06) and the Floor Laptop computer Studio (12:24). Nevertheless, if longevity is your foremost concern, the 15-inch Floor Laptop computer 4 nonetheless has a little bit of an edge with a time of 15:25 on our check. 

I additionally respect that Microsoft made efforts to scale back the system’s fan noise, by as a lot as 10 decibels at max speeds. In regular use, the Laptop computer Go 2 is definitely reasonably quiet, typically operating fully silent if you happen to’re simply searching the net, and infrequently rising above a whisper except you are performing some critical multi-tasking. In some respects, this laptop computer looks as if the perfect candidate for a totally fanless design. That stated, Home windows machines haven’t got entry to the identical form of super-efficient chips you get from one thing like an M1 MacBook Air. However let’s not overlook, an equal MacBook Air additionally prices $200 greater than the Floor Laptop computer Go 2. 

Wrap-up

And in a method, that’s essential context when evaluating Microsoft’s most travel-friendly pocket book to dearer rivals. For somebody like me who makes use of a desktop at house, the Surface Laptop Go 2 is a superb journey companion and I would a lot reasonably drag it round than the larger and heavier Intel MacBook Professional 13 I received assigned for work. Certain, it’s not fairly as highly effective and it’s received a lower-res display screen, but it surely has greater than sufficient efficiency for engaged on the go. It is also a fantastic machine for college kids or anybody who simply needs a well-designed no-frills pocket book that is simple to hold. It doesn’t have an IR webcam for facial login or a stylus such as you get on extra subtle Surfaces, however that is okay. Even if you happen to pay for an upgraded mannequin (which I extremely suggest), the Floor Laptop computer Go 2 continues to be tremendous transportable, very reasonably priced and even form of fashionable, whereas additionally having all of the fundamentals down pat.