Surface Go Got a Day One Firmware Update
- Paul Thurrott
- Aug 04, 2018
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43
With all of Microsoft’s Surface PC getting massive sets of firmware updates in recent weeks, I was wondering how Surface Go would fair.
Well, there’s good news and bad news: Surface Go owners did, in fact, have to install a firmware update on August 2, the device’s first day of availability. But it was literally just a single update.
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The Surface Go Update History website has the details, which are minor: Surface UEFI – Firmware 1.0.3 improves system stability.
This is nothing like the massive sets of firmware updates that have deviled owners of the Surface Book 2, Surface Pro 4, Surface Laptop, and Surface Pro (2017). But then it’s reasonable to assume that Surface Go, a new PC, shipped with the most up-to-date firmware and drivers out of the box.
And that’s good news: Given how slow Surface Go is, I can only imagine how long it would take to basically reinstall every driver on the PC.
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Conversation 43 comments
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Travis
Log in to Reply<p>I've gotta say I have the 128gb model and I have had no issues with performance. The original Surface 3 was slow. This is nothing like that. It chugs along fine with any productivity task I've performed, edge works great and games like fallout shelter and hill climb racing play fine.</p>
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Jeffery Commaroto
Log in to Reply<blockquote><em><a href="#299086">In reply to Travis:</a></em></blockquote><p>S Mode?</p>
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Travis
Log in to Reply<blockquote><em><a href="#299091">In reply to Jeffery_Commaroto:</a></em></blockquote><p>No I had to switch out of s mode for a couple work apps that I need. Custom UWP and they run fine too.</p>
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sentinel6671
Premium MemberLog in to Reply<blockquote><em><a href="#299086">In reply to Travis:</a></em></blockquote><p><br></p><p>Agreed, I'm finding it to be a terrific device. Took it to a meeting a day after I received it. So far it's totally fitting the bill for what I wanted for work. Did take it out of "S" mode pretty much right away, to install Bluebeam for opening pdf drawings.</p>
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bleeman
Premium MemberLog in to Reply<p>Mine has been working very well too. I've left mine in S mode as I retired last year so I don't have to worry about the work apps anymore. With regards to PDF's I had purchased Drawboard for my Surface Pro and that installed fine in S mode. The only app I wasn't sure about was Discord, my gaming message app as I had a desktop version. Checked the store and found someone has been working on a Store version. Downloaded and installed and it works like a champ. Can't tell a difference between it and the non store version, so I'm very happy withit.</p>
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mikemeltz
Premium MemberLog in to Reply<blockquote><em><a href="#299086">In reply to Travis:</a></em></blockquote><p>Mine is working great as well , even using outlook 2016 and serval other apps open (onenote, edge, etc) seems to respond quickly. </p>
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MikeGalos
Log in to Reply<p>Of course it has a Day-1 Update. Whether that update includes OS patches or driver patches or both really doesn't matter to the user since in any case it's "run Windows Update and let it install any updates it finds".</p><p><br></p><p>For there not to be a Day-1 Update there would have to be either:</p><p>A) No "Patch Tuesday" updates since the OS image got sent to manufacturing</p><p>or</p><p>B) The image got sent to manufacturing and the machines were assembled, boxed, shipped to warehouses, shipped to stores and purchased in less than a month.</p><p>If a computer did NOT have a Day 1 update I'd be more concerned.</p>
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nbplopes
Log in to Reply<blockquote><em><a href="#299093">In reply to MikeGalos:</a></em></blockquote><p>“If a computer did NOT have a Day 1 update I'd be more concerned.”</p><p><br></p><p>WARNING: Reality distortion field. </p>
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PeteB
Log in to Reply<blockquote><em><a href="#299095">In reply to nbplopes:</a></em></blockquote><p>Yep I'm pretty sure the guy is a closet MS employee, since he praises everything they do no matter how bad for consumers or otherwise pointless.</p><p><br></p><p>The track record for borked firmware updates with the Surface line is actually pretty abysmal, as anyone being honest can attest: update, recall, re-issue. I know Paul has vented frequently about the frustrations with them.</p>
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skane2600
Log in to Reply<blockquote><em><a href="#299349">In reply to PeteB:</a></em></blockquote><p>No, he's not currently a MS employee, but he has been in the past. I think he's mentioned it here at some point.</p>
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pecosbob04
Log in to Reply<blockquote><a href="#299815"><em>In reply to skane2600:</em></a><em>I believe he has been both an employee and a contractor. If he is posting here he is probably doing neither currently. Mike does not hide his association with msft so he has that going for him.</em></blockquote><blockquote><br></blockquote><p><br></p>
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skane2600
Log in to Reply<blockquote><em><a href="#299093">In reply to MikeGalos:</a></em></blockquote><p>It seems to me that a potential Day-1 problem should have been discovered in product testing and fixed before any production units shipped. I think you've been around for awhile, long before the "ship it now, fix it later" philosophy became popular.</p>
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bbold
Log in to Reply<p>If we keep our expectations in check, Surface Go is a great device – for on the go basic productivity. It works fine for my uses – schoolwork and writing, the occasional note-taking and drawing, too. It's no speed demon, but perhaps over time future iterations will be. If you intend to game exclusively on Surface Go, you will be disappointed. This is for basic everyday tasks on the go. The size of the device is amazing to me and I can fit this thing anywhere. Perfect device for students.. with small hands :)</p>
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Michael_Miller
Log in to Reply<blockquote>So for about $700 (actually, more with pen) we need to keep our expectations in check?</blockquote><blockquote><a href="#299097"><em>In reply to bbold:</em></a></blockquote><p><br></p>
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nbplopes
Log in to Reply<blockquote><em><a href="#299111">In reply to Michael_Miller:</a></em></blockquote><p><br></p><p>This device is for tools. It’s small, its cute, it has a nice display. After that, It is NOT good a tablet and it is NOT a good productivity PC for its price. All style and no substance either you go Tablet or PC. After the novelty that is what buyers will get.</p><p><br></p><p>So what is it good for? For people that hate anything else than a PC to go with their PC. A bit like … “What do I need to go with my Windows 10 deco?” Oh yes, a small and cute Surface Go. Go Surface Go” </p><p><br></p><p>Never mind if that means under par tablet and under par PC 🙂 Because that is all that the reviewers are saying really. Counter balanced with … “its so small, and the keyboard is small yet I can touch the keys, look at the stand, almost 180º …. oh the CPU is slow … but never mind, its a full blown Windows 10 unit, now that is powaaa, and its so cute”. Fools, I say, fools.</p><p><br></p><p>I teell you this … this device will be at $320 with a keyboard in a blink of an eye and even than …</p>
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soundtweaker
Log in to Reply<blockquote><a href="#299111"><em>In reply to Michael_Miller:</em></a><em> Got mine for $521 with a parent discount. I guess Microsoft considers a cat as a child.</em></blockquote><blockquote><br></blockquote><p><br></p>
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curtisspendlove
Log in to Reply<blockquote><em><a href="#299097">In reply to bbold:</a></em></blockquote><p>What about games like Hearthstone? I realize it is a bit deceptively hoggy of the graphics card, but the Go would be a perfect form-factor for this style of game. </p>
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Michael_Miller
Log in to Reply<p>I don’t understand the reasoning behind buying the Surface Go. The Ideapad Miix 700 is a an excellent buy with considerably better specs than the SGO for $700, about the cost of the upgraded 8G, 128G storage Surface Go. Yes, it is somewhat heavier at 1.7 lbs, but larger screen at 12” with better resolution, 8G Ram and 256G of SSD storage; and keyboard comes with it. It has an M7 processor which is considerably better than the Pentium on the SGO and comes with Windows 10 Home. Finally, the pen is $39. Call me crazy but it seems like this is a much better buy.</p>
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soundtweaker
Log in to Reply<blockquote><a href="#299102"><em>In reply to Michael_Miller:</em></a><em> The Surface Go has much better build quality and a much better webcam and camera. Besides MS doesn't want to compete in the same price range as their partners.</em></blockquote><blockquote><br></blockquote><p><br></p>
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Michael_Miller
Log in to Reply<blockquote>But at the current price of the Miix 700, they are.</blockquote><blockquote><a href="#299107"><em>In reply to Soundtweaker:</em></a></blockquote><p><br></p>
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sentinel6671
Premium MemberLog in to Reply<blockquote><em><a href="#299102">In reply to Michael_Miller:</a></em></blockquote><p><br></p><p>Love folks that come in and pronouce, "I don't understand why anyone would want X when Y is available". Maybe I don't want Y because a 12" screen and nearly 2 lbs of weight makes it that much less portable when walking around on a construction site.</p><p><br></p><p>I chose the Surface Go for reasons that meet my specific needs. I'm happy for the availability of choice. So far it's doing exactly what I wanted.</p>
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Michael_Miller
Log in to Reply<blockquote>You misquoted me. I said I don’t understand the reasoning…., not I don’t understand why anyone would want X…… There is a difference. Anyway, you sighted your reason so thanks for that.</blockquote><blockquote><a href="#299126"><em>In reply to sentinel6671:</em></a></blockquote><p><br></p>
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MacLiam
Premium MemberLog in to Reply<p>I have no fundamental disagreement here, but some users are predominantly spec-sensitive and some are size-and-feel sensitive; 10 inches seems to be a sweet spot for a lot of the latter. If someone was buying their one and only computing device, I might recommend that they consider something a little more powerful and maybe a little larger than the Go. But as a niche-filler, I find the Go perfect for casual use and even taking impromptu notes that I will flesh out later on a larger device. The Go is already the Surface that I carry from room to room with me so that I can read an article while making coffee in the kitchen or look stuff up during commercial breaks or dull parts while I'm watching something on the wall slab. For that kind of use, it's just about perfect.</p>
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VancouverNinja
Premium MemberLog in to Reply<blockquote><em><a href="#299102">In reply to Michael_Miller:</a></em></blockquote><p>It is very simple – full true tablet format. You can always get bigger these days for less. The trick is getting a good solution that matches an iPad. I am now waiting to get the LTE version. As soon as I get it my iPads are done.</p>
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bleeman
Premium MemberLog in to Reply<blockquote><em><a href="#299102">In reply to Michael_Miller:</a></em></blockquote><p>For me the GO is the perfect companion device. I have a Surface Pro which I love and have no intentions of giving up. However, what I have wanted was a device with less weight, a smaller screen and still have the ability to run the same apps I have on my Pro. I also own a Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 Nook. It's a really nice lightweight tablet and allows me to use the Android apps I'm interested in. However, it doesn't allow me to use my Surface Pen for writing, dock with my Surface Dock if I want, and most important run the apps that I can on my Pro. I carry this little device around like a handy notebook. I take quick notes in OneNote, I can play my Solitaire, Mahjong, casual games sitting in my chair. I took it to a seminar on Saturday and used it like a piece of paper on my desk and it was great. The other thing I like about the smaller lighter weight is, I don't mind carrying it around with the pen and keyboard attached. There is a significant reduction in weight compared to my Pro.</p><p><br></p><p>Along with all of the above is the build quality, keyboard feel, etc. It truly feels like I have a Surface Pro "Mini Me".</p>
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MacLiam
Premium MemberLog in to Reply<p>I didn't notice the FW update during the setup process, but there was a Cumulative update that took me from the .134 release of 1803 to the .191 version. As usual, a series of app updates followed the CU.</p><p><br></p><p>Oddly, the other Surfaces in my stack have each had only one or two of the updates I see listed in the long itemized lists discussed here and on other sites that Microsoft users follow. Just yesterday my Book 1 with Power Base got a screenful of driver updates that I still haven't seen mentioned anywhere. </p>
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skane2600
Log in to Reply<p>i don't understand why so many firmware updates are needed these days. Historically PCs ran for years without a critical need to update the firmware (and those PCs were highly configurable rather than designed around a fixed HW set).</p>
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PeteB
Log in to Reply<blockquote><em><a href="#299133">In reply to skane2600:</a></em></blockquote><p>Probably because Microsoft fired their QA division and leaves the testing to customers.</p>
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roastedwookie
Log in to Reply<blockquote><em><a href="#299133">In reply to skane2600:</a></em></blockquote><p>When you fire your dedicated QAs and replace them with guinea pig insiders…you lose things :)</p>
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bleeman
Premium MemberLog in to Reply<blockquote><em><a href="#299133">In reply to skane2600:</a></em></blockquote><p>I think it's just a fact of life these days. I don't think as many PC's didn't need the updates as you may think. Having worked in IT for 40 years, I can tell you I spent a lot of time doing BIOS updates on the various systems I worked on. I often found most users/techs ignored those updates and yet in 90% of the times I did them, even what seemed like insignificant ones, they quite often either fixed a major issue or one of those "quirks" that you never knew what caused it.</p><p><br></p><p>Speaking of firmware updates, the other day I checked and downloaded an update for my 4 yr old treadmill. Totally hosed the system. Fortunately, it's still under warranty and the manufacturer shipped out a complete replacement console unit. So I don't believe it's just Windows and Insiders doing the "Dirty Work". I think it's more a result of the constant rapid changes in technology. I also think it happens more so with "sealed" devices like the Surfaces, tablets, etc. because they don't have interchangeable hardware that can take advantage of changes during their lifecycles.</p>
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paulkbiba
Premium MemberLog in to Reply<p>After setting up the Go, there were 7 driver/firmware updates and 3 cumulative updates (KB4340917, KB4338832, KB4338819). All of the updates proceeded very quickly and they did not seem to take much longer than those I get on my Surface Pro.</p>
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george_perry
Log in to Reply<p>First day with the 128 gig Surface Go – so far the system is very stable and faster that I thought it would be. I am turning on full windows tomorrow as I have apps that wont work in S mode. Have not tested battery life yet but just running a video in a loop was about 6 hours via wifi Netflix. I can see this being a great device for meetings, coffee shop etc. If it had LTE would be awesome but that is a bit much to ask for this small device, maybe next gen ? I have the LTE Surface Pro and love it but this GO device will be great on a flight etc. </p><p><br></p><p><br></p>
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paulkbiba
Premium MemberLog in to Reply<p><img src="">One nice thing is that I can use my Anker 20100mAh power bank to power/charge the machine. Just be sure to turn on your power bank BEFORE you plug it into the Go. If you don't the Go will charge the power bank, rather than vice versa.</p>
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george_perry
Log in to Reply<blockquote><em><a href="#299227">In reply to paulkbiba:</a></em></blockquote><blockquote><br></blockquote><blockquote><em>Thanks, good to know</em></blockquote><p><br></p>
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codigeeks
Log in to Reply<p>I have no idea why smartphone or smart devices need updates all the time. Even windows update is sometime annoying as well. If they can fix the updates issue, windows would be the best OS system. </p><p>Amanda | <a href="http://www.codigeeks.com" target="_blank">codigeeks</a></p>
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Stokkolm
Log in to Reply<p>Doesn't it perform about as well as a Surface Pro 3? If so, I wouldn't exactly classify it as slow. Maybe with the 4GB's of RAM though.</p>
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bleeman
Premium MemberLog in to Reply<blockquote><a href="#299280"><em>In reply to Stokkolm:</em></a></blockquote><p>At first I was concerned that it was running a little slow as it seemed to be a bit hesitant when using the pen or touch mode and I felt like I had to apply more pressure with each. However, I have found that if I bumped battery performance mode up one notch from "better battery" to "better performance" it works great for my needs. Not that it was bad at "better battery" it just felt like there was a slight delay with everything. As for the impact of the change, I've been using my GO off and on for 9.25 hours today and I'm currently at 54%. Granted I haven't been doing any "heavy" work with it. I've been reading my E-mail, Surfing the web, and catching up on my Twitter feed. I'm also set on "Brighter" (One step above suggested). This is the 8GB/128GB model. While I haven't been constantly using it today, the thing I like is every time I pick it up it's ready to go. A couple of times I had to wait a few seconds or so as I had gone to sleep rather than standby, but even so it wasn't so much of a wait that I felt an impact.</p><p><br></p><p>I find it great that I can have an almost instant on, companion, that gives me access to the Windows apps I want/need in a tiny form factor. At this point the only app I don't have access to is Amazon's Kindle, but not a big deal as I'm a Nook user (whose app is in the store) and just use the Kindle web reader if I need to read something in it.</p>
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rhollis47
Log in to Reply<p>Does anyone Know how much free space is left on the 64GB model of the Surface Pro?</p>
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bleeman
Premium MemberLog in to Reply<p>Paul, I disagree that the GO is slow. Mine has been performing very well. My day one experience was very positive. I spent approximately 2 hours total downloading and installing the software and firmware updates, the apps from My Library in the Store, the Office 365 suite and configuring same. Overall, I felt it took about the same amount of time that it would have on my Surface Pro.</p>
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Allen Markham
Log in to Reply<p>Paul – I don't know if this is a common problem with the Surface Go, but with the latest update on my 'Go the network connectivity is gone. Wi-Fi stopped working shortly after the update was installed – it worked through the day it was installed and stopped sometime over night. Using the Device Manager I uninstalled the (Qualcomm not Marvel I think?) adapter believing it would reinstall on reboot (or a search for changes), but it didn't. So now I have no internet connectivity at all. This is my second Surface Go that has had that problem, though the first one would only loose it connectivity on a regular basis. As I've had two with similar problems, I'm wondering if this is becoming a "thing" or not?</p>