Microsoft unveils Surface Go 2 with larger 10.5-inch display and more powerful Intel processors

[Shawn Knight]

Bottom line: Microsoft on Wednesday introduced a slew of new Surface-branded hardware including the Surface Go 2, Microsoft’s alternative to the more expensive Surface Pro. From $399, it looks to be a decent value if you're wanting something with the flexibility of a tablet and the productivity of a notebook.

The new Surface Go 2 retails the same thin and lightweight design as the original but ups the ante in a few key areas. For example, you now get a slightly larger 10.5-inch PixelSense display (1,920 x 1,280 resolution, 220 PPI) as well as improved battery life. Buyers now have the option to configure the portable with up to an 8th generation Intel Core M processor for as much as 64 percent faster performance compared to the original.

Chief Product Officer Panos Panay said they also added their dual microphone solution, Studio Mics, to boost voice clarity and reduce background noise, as well as a 5-megapixel camera for those increasingly important Teams meetings.

Battery life, meanwhile, is rated at up to 10 hours courtesy of a physically larger unit and reduced power consumption.

As Ars correctly points out, if you’re looking for something that is a little more tablet than a Chromebook and a little more laptop than an iPad, Microsoft’s new Surface Go 2 might be worth a look.

Pricing starts at $399 for the entry-level Surface Go 2 which includes an Intel Pentium Gold 4425Y processor, 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. Microsoft said the first units will go out on May 12.

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https://www.techspot.com/news/85122-microsoft-unveils-surface-go-2-larger-105-inch.html

 

[enemys]

"For example, you now get a slightly larger 10.5-inch PixelSense display (1,920 x 1,080 resolution, 220 PPI)"
Isn't it 1920x1280, though? All other sources report a 3:2 1280p screen, and that would match reported 220PPI - 10.5'' 1080p screen is 210PPI.

 

[neeyik]

Yes, it's 1280p - just a wee typo that we'll fix shortly. Thanks for the feedback.

 

[Tom Yum]

Good news on the m3, the Pentium was just too underpowered even for basic tasks, always found it stuttery and laggy even doing basic desktop stuff. Intel gimping it of any support for turbo boost just really hurts its everyday performance.

The next issue is that Win 10 having suitable tablet focussed software. Considering where Windows 8/10 started, every step since then has been away from it being tablet suitable. Great for desktop users, but makes it less suitable for small tablet form factors, making the keyboard an essential accessory (which you have to pay extra for).

 

[Mr Majestyk]

Would have preferred AMD Renoir and base model should start at 8GB and 256GB SSD.