The most compact and affordable entry in Microsoft’s Surface line of laptops, the Surface Laptop Go, is being upgraded with a newer chip, as well as a “improved” webcam and thermals. The Surface Laptop Go 2 runs on an 11th-generation Intel Core i5-1135G7 processor (from the 10th generation of the previous model), priced from $ 599.99 for a model with 4GB of RAM and 128GB storage.
The original Surface Laptop Go was launched in 2020 as an attempt by Microsoft to compete with Chromebooks. It had a lower starting price than the rest of the Surface line of laptops and a smaller 12.4-inch touchscreen that maintained Microsoft’s 3: 2 aspect ratio (the resolution is 1536 x 1024). Little has changed for this successor, which measures just 10.95 x 8.12 x 0.62 inches and weighs just under 2.5 pounds.
It has a 12.4-inch screen the same size. Image: Microsoft The overall form factor is almost identical. Image: Microsoft
That said, there have been some tweaks with the Surface Laptop Go 2. Its starting price has risen by $ 50, probably because Microsoft has slashed the base version that was shipped with only 64GB of storage. It is also available in a new “sage” green / gray color, which joins the pre-existing blue, stoneware and platinum options. The nominal battery life has gone from 13 hours to 13.5 hours, and the laptop is also shipped with Windows 11 this time.
Finally, Microsoft says the Surface Laptop Go 2 has more replaceable components, such as the keyboard and trackpad, screen, and battery; although they are designed to be replaced by one of Microsoft’s authorized service providers.
There are fewer tangible details about the other updates, which we’ll probably only get a better idea of once we’ve used the laptop. Microsoft’s press release boasts that the Surface Laptop Go 2 has “quieter, improved thermals that make focusing easier,” as well as an “enhanced HD camera.” But the resolution of the webcam is still 720p, just like the previous model, which suggests that its updates are more about image processing than raw resolution.
The handset comes with a fingerprint sensor on the power button of selected models Image: Microsoft
Otherwise, this is a laptop very similar to its predecessor. There is still a fingerprint sensor built into the power button on selected models, the ports are the same (a USB-A, a USB-C, a headphone jack and a patented surface port for charging ) and still offers dual microphones and Wi-Fi 6. Not to mention a backlit keyboard, which was a major complaint with the first Surface Laptop Go.
All laptop models come with the same Intel Core i5 processor, but there are a variety of different RAM and storage configurations available. Prices start at $ 599.99 for a consumer model with 4GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, up from $ 699.99 for 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, or $ 799. $ 99 for 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. Prices for these models are $ 100 higher on the commercial side, where there is also an additional 16GB of RAM / 256GB storage available for $ 1,099.99. Pre-orders open today, and shipping will begin on June 7th.
We were not surprised by the original Surface Laptop Go. This is not because it was a bad laptop, but because it was not competitive with other devices for its price. With its higher starting price, the Surface Laptop Go 2 could face a similar challenge.