Microsoft to release a new, super-small US$400 Surface tablet
You will need Microsoft’s US$99 keyboard cover to get the most out of the Surface Go. It means competition with Apple’s iPad and MacBook laptops
Meet the Microsoft Surface Go, a tiny new 1.15-pound (0.5-kg) laptop/tablet hybrid with a 10-inch screen that can fit in a handbag, bumbag, or a particularly deep pocket.
Surface Go’s pricing starts at US$400, but do not be fooled: Just as with the bigger, more powerful Surface Pro, you are going to want Microsoft’s US$99 keyboard cover to get the most out of the Surface Go. In other words, you're looking at US$500, all-in, for the Surface Go set-up you really want. You will be able to buy it on August 2.
I got to play with one, briefly, a few weeks ago, and my first impression is that Microsoft has done a good job shrinking its Surface Pro form factor into something more portable, but still incredibly usable and comfortable to type on.
Under the hood, Microsoft says Surface Go owners can expect about as much computing power as 2014’s Surface Pro 3. This means it will be good enough for browsing the web, watching Netflix, and putting together a PowerPoint presentation. “But do not expect to play “Fortnite” with the graphics settings cranked way up.
It runs an Intel Pentium processor. The base model has 4GB of RAM and 128GB of hard drive space, while a more expensive model, starting at US$549, will have 8GB of RAM and 256GB of hard drive space.
Microsoft claims that the Surface Go gets nine hours of battery life, which comes with the caveat that this was tested by playing a video file that was stored on the device. It includes facial login by way of Microsoft's Windows Hello system, similar to Apple's FaceID, as well as a microSD card slot to expand its storage.
The Surface Go port is more limited than its larger brethren. It includes Microsoft's proprietary Surface Connect port, which is mostly used for charging but can also be used to plug it in to a docking station. Otherwise, you get a single port for USB-C — a new universal standard that replaces the USB slot you might be familiar with.
The USB-C port can be used for plugging in monitors and other accessories, as well as for charging the Surface Go itself in a pinch. The vast majority of devices, including most smartphones, still rely on regular old USB to work, meaning that Surface Go owners might need to get in the habit of carrying around some adaptors. It does have a headphone jack, though.
