Major upgrade for a small Surface
For once it seems to be a really good thing that all the upgrades are just on the Surface
IF you’ve been hankering after one of Microsoft’s splendid Surface Pro two-in-one devices but been put off by the high pricing of the models that came out earlier this year, we have good news for you – you can now get your hands on an updated and upgraded consumer-level Surface Go 2… at a much more manageable price..
It might not look like much has changed from the outside – the Go has not changed in terms of its overall dimensions (so all cases for the old model will still fit!), but you might notice if you are familiar with the original that the screen-size is bigger thanks to a smaller bezel.
Where the Go 2 has changed things in a big way is on the inside, with a much welcome upgrade to Intel’s eight generation Core M processors, which Microsoft says will boost speed by something like 64%.
The new processor also brings better battery life, which is a big boost for a device that is meant to travel. You can now go for up to 10 hours, depending on what you do.
The Surface Go is the base level model of the Surface two-in-one devices, which aim to be both tablets and laptops in one package.
It runs the latest version of Windows 10 Home in a special “S” mode which makes switching between the different kinds of inputs (touch screen, keyboard, mouse, and pen) seamless.
The power of Windows remains at your fingertips, as do the apps that make it a complete system – the likes of Word and Powerpoint are all optimised for the device.
That new screen is now up to 10.5in, and improves on the resolution of the device it replaces – that’s now up to 220ppi.
Obviously you have cameras front and back as well as good connectivity via USB-C, a headphone jack, and the Microsoft Surface Connector, and the connector for the Type Cover, which adds a keyboard at additional cost. Obviously wi-fi is built in too, but you can add mobile connectivity if you’re constantly on the go. Storage-wise you get either 64GB or 128GB, but there’s also a MicroSDXC card reader that supports up to 1TB of additional storage. The device itself starts at £399, but you won’t get the new M3 chip at that price. For that you’ll have to go up to £619.
■ ALSO hitting the market from Microsoft this week is the latest Surface laptop – now up to version 3, which retains the design of the previous model, but bumps the specs up to what you might expect from a modern laptop - with options for Intel’s 10th generation Ice Lake processors. The Surface 3 laptops start at £999.
■ Find out more at microsoft. com.