Good quality at a low price: This is the role played by the Microsoft Surface Go 2 in the Redmonder device portfolio. It is also the smallest and lightest Surface – but like the larger and more expensive Microsoft Surface Pro 6, it can be easily converted into a notebook with a clip-on keyboard. And in contrast to the current Pro models, the Go 2 is also available with LTE.
Photo: Microsoft
The magnesium housing is very sturdy and comes with the typical fold-out stand. With 542 grams and a height of over 8 millimeters, the Microsoft Surface Go 2 is not exceptionally light, flat or chic in comparison to the similarly sized tablet competition. Compared to the almost two-year-old predecessor, Microsoft doesn’t change much on the Go 2: the display now has 10.5 inches and 1920 x 1280, a slightly higher diagonal and resolution than the Go. Nevertheless, it is only slightly heavier, the dimensions do not change, and the connections are identical.
The Pentium Gold 4425Y is new as a processor: Due to the frugal two-core with Hyper-Threading, the Go 2 does not need a fan. The more expensive versions of the Windows tablet work with a Core m3-8100Y, which, in contrast to the Pentium, has a Turbo Boost mode. The LTE variant of the Go 2 is only available in conjunction with a Core m3. Another new feature of the Go 2 is a WLAN module with the current Wi-Fi 6 standard and Bluetooth 5.
Windows 10 Home runs in S mode ex works, but can be turned into a full home with just a few clicks of the mouse. The way back to S mode is then no longer possible. The tablet is also available with Windows 10 Pro: The Surface Go 2 for Business with the same equipment costs 50 euros more than the version with Windows Home. A 256 GB SSD is currently only available as a business model.
Photo: Microsoft
The average computing power of the Pentium processor is the biggest limitation with the Surface Go 2. Although it is more powerful than an Atom or Celeron CPU, a Surface Pro 7 with a full-blown 10th-generation core CPU is two in all benchmarks – up to three times as fast. When testing the pure CPU performance, the Go 2 is also significantly behind a current iPad or a good Android tablet such as the Galaxy Tab S6, which can outperform the Microsoft tablet by around 20 percent in the more practical AppMark 2018. The Go 2 is therefore not ideal for tasks that go beyond web surfing and basic office tasks.
However, it can be used as a tablet with absolutely no delay and responds immediately to touch inputs and gestures. The WLAN module works extremely fast, which in the test achieves a data rate of around 700 Mbit / s under good conditions and a short distance from the router.
The battery life is between 9 (web surfing) and 10.5 hours (video playback): The Go 2 lasts a long time with every use, in contrast to many Android tablets, which are usually persistent with video playback, when calling up more computing power But not websites. The image quality is very good: at just under 400 cd / sqm, the Surface Go 2 offers a sufficiently high brightness for different lighting conditions. Contrast and color space coverage also provide very good values. However, this is not a unique selling point of Microsoft: Almost all tablets in this price range have a similarly good image quality, which clearly sets them apart from cheaper models.
A 128 GB NVMe SSD from Toshiba sits in the test model. The cheaper Go2 variant offers a smaller and slower eMMC memory. For a work tablet and in comparison to the competition, the maximum memory size of 128 GB is somewhat narrow: You can create more space with a micro SD card that can be inserted into the card reader hidden behind the base. Connect peripherals to the Go 2 via a Type-C socket – in many cases you will then need an adapter, some of which Microsoft has on offer, but does not include one. The Surface Dock 2 docking station also works with the Go 2.
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Furnishing |
Microsoft Surface Go 2 (grade: 2.40) |
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processor |
Intel Pentium 4425Y (1.7 GHz, 2 cores / 4 threads) |
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random access memory |
8 GB LPDDR3-1867 |
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Dimensions (L x W x H) |
24.5 x 17.5 x 0.84 cm |
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operating system |
Windows 10 Home S mode |
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built-in storage space (type) |
128 GB (NVMe SSD Toshiba BG4) |
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Wireless-LAN / Bluetooth / UMTS / GPS |
Wi-Fi 6 (2×2) / 5.0 / not available / no |
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connections |
1x USB Type-C |
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Card reader (formats) |
yes (Micro-SD) |
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SIM card slot |
No |
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Camera: Photo / video resolution |
? 3264 x 2448 / 1080p (suitable for Windows Hello) |
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Front camera: resolution / video |
2560 x 1920 / 1080p |
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Audio output |
1 |
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microphone |
Yes |
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Light sensor |
Yes |
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scope of delivery |
Power supply (24 Watt) |
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Operation and speed |
Microsoft Surface Go 2 (grade: 1.91) |
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Screen / on-screen keyboard / multi-finger gestures / screen technology |
very pleasant / pleasant / yes / capacitive |
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Voice input |
Yes |
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playable video / audio / photo formats |
3GP, ASF, AVI, MKV, MOV, MPEG-2, MP4, WMV / AAC, FLAC, MP3, OGG, WAV, WMA / BMP, GIF, JPEG, PNG, TIFF |
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Browser: speed (Jetstream 2) / 3D Mark (Ice Storm Unlimited) / Gfx Bench (T.Rex) / medium loading time for websites |
45,396 points / 35,128 points / 32 frames per second / 5.82 seconds |
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WiFi speed |
700.0 Mbit / s |
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Start time: from switched off state / from standby mode |
15/1 seconds |
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mobility |
Microsoft Surface Go 2 (score: 2.24) |
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Battery life: Play internet access via WLAN / video |
8:53 hours / 10:32 hours |
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Weight (with battery) / weight power supply |
542/151 grams |
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screen |
Microsoft Surface Go 2 (grade: 2.54) |
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Diagonal / resolution / point density |
10.5 inches (26.8 centimeters) / 1920 x 1280 pixels / 220 ppi |
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Brightness / contrast / anti-glare |
396 cd / m² / 1080: 1 / low |
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General data |
Microsoft Surface Go 2 |
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Microsoft’s Internet address |
www.microsoft.com |
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Price (manufacturer’s recommended retail price / street price) |
619 euros / 610 euros |
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Technical hotline |
0900/1000441 |
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warranty |
12 months |
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service |
Microsoft Surface Go 2 (grade: 3.21) |
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Manual: German / printed / extensive / as PDF |
yes / yes / no / no |
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warranty |
12 months |
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Service hotline / German / weekend service / accessibility / non-stop / reachable by email |
0900/1000441 / yes / no / 9 hours / yes / yes |
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Website / German / Manual available / Drivers available / Utilities available |
www.microsoft.com / yes / yes / no / yes |
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Test result (grades) |
Microsoft Surface Go 2 |
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Test grade |
Well ( 2.27) |
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Price-performance |
inexpensive |
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Operation and speed (30%) |
1.91 |
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Mobility (25%) |
2.24 |
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Screen (22%) |
2.54 |
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Equipment (20%) |
2.40 |
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Service (3%) |
3.21 |
The Microsoft Surface Go 2 is a safe bank if you are looking for a high-quality tablet but still have to look at the money. The glory of the big Pro brothers also shines on the smaller Go 2 because it also convinces with processing and image quality as well as a decent battery life. The Go 2 does a lot better than cheaper 2-in-1 devices and Windows tablets – but also costs a significant surcharge. And this hermaphrodite position becomes a problem if you are looking for a tablet primarily for productive use, because the performance gap to the Pro models is enormous. And as a tablet for surfing and watching films, an iPad is the better choice – and, with similar features, also cheaper.
Per
+ high resolution, bright display
+ very fast WiFi
+ decent battery life
Contra
– mediocre computing power
(PC world)