Microsoft has upgraded its second-generation Surface Laptop Go. The Surface Laptop Go 2 now comes with an improved processor and a slightly higher price tag.
Some say it’s boring and some say it’s clean, but the Surface Laptop Go 2 omits all the sleek stickers and offers a real shell design. Like the previous generation, the Surface Laptop Go 2 is still designed with premium materials (aluminum, polycarbonate composite resin, and post-consumer recycled content) and is as solid as a rock, according to Microsoft. And with a compact 12.4-inch PixelSense touchscreen and weighing just 1.13 kilograms, it’s a highly productive travel device.
Specifications of Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2
Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 Quad-core CPU Intel Core i5-1135G7 GPU Intel Iris Xe Integrated Graphics Memory 4GB / 8GB / 16GB (Commercial Only) 128/256GB Storage 12.4-inch Screen, 1536 x 1024, PixelSense 3: 2 multi-touch screen, end-to-end glass Battery Up to 13.5 hours Ports
- 1x USB-C
- 1x USB-A
- 1x 3.5mm headphone jack
- 1 Surface Connect port
Remote Working Features with Windows Hello 720p Webcam, Dual Remote Field Microphones Weight 1.3kg (2.48 lbs) Operating System Consumer: Windows 11 Home
Commercial: Windows 11 Pro or Windows 10 Pro
Price and availability Starting at C $ 740, available June 7, 2022
While the Surface Laptop Go 2 continues the minimalist tradition, it still includes a USB-C port, a USB-A port, a 3.5mm headphone jack (wow) and a Surface Connect port. For users who need HDMI and other essential ports, Microsoft offers the Surface Dock that connects to the Surface port. If the high price of the dock is not attractive, there are many USB-C dongles available.
The 12.4-inch PixelSense screen supports multitouch. Image Credit: Microsoft
The big update of this generation is the processor. The Surface Laptop Go 2 now uses the 11th generation Intel Core i5-1135G7 mobile processor, replacing the previous generation 10th generation Intel Core i5-1035G1. In addition to using the faster Willow Cove core architecture, the 11th generation processor also includes the new Intel Iris Xe graphics. Designed as an everyday device, the Surface Laptop Go 2 still doesn’t turn on triple A games, but its updated hardware will run Minecraft a little smoother.
Another notable change is that Microsoft has finally increased the base storage of the anemic eMMC from 64 GB of the previous generation to a 128 GB SSD. This is an absolutely welcoming change. It’s 2022 and the 64 GB just doesn’t work anymore. For memory, the consumer version comes with 8 GB of LPDDR4 memory. Business customers, however, can increase it to 16 GB.
For security, the Surface Laptop Go 2 features enterprise-level protection with Windows Hello login, One Touch login with a fingerprint power button, and a hardware TPM discreet for the commercial variant.
Power button with fingerprint? Yes please. Image Credit: Microsoft
Remote Work Support is a 720p webcam and two excellent remote field study microphones. Microsoft also cites 13.5-hour battery life on a single charge. It says the device can charge up to 80% of its battery capacity in about an hour.
Consumer versions of the laptop include Windows 11 Home. Commercial devices have the option of Windows 11 Pro or Windows 10 Pro.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 will be available on June 7 in the Microsoft Store starting at $ 740, $ 50 more than the starting price of the previous generation. The higher starting price is justified by faster and more spacious storage, as well as increased performance.