The Surface Go Review

Posted on August 15, 2018 by Brad Sams in Podcasts, Video Reviews with 86 Comments

Microsoft’s Surface Go has a lot of potential in a small size but is the battery life and performance enough to make this a big success or another small package of disappointment?

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Comments (88)

88 responses to “The Surface Go Review”

  1. MikeCerm

    I firmly believe that the next generation of the Surface Go -- one that is ARM-based and gets 10 hours of real-world battery life -- is the one to get. This is a good device, but it the next one will be so much better that it's probably best to wait a year if you can.

    3 years ago
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    • Otto Gunter

      In reply to MikeCerm: I agree, so I hope the ARM-based SGO does become a reality, but I will wait for the next generation ARM. In the meantime, the Intel Surface line is a proven product, and I bought a GO. For what I paid for it, I'll easily get my money's worth over a year or two. Why wait if the size/power/features meet your needs now?


      3 years ago
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      • MikeCerm

        In reply to Otto_Gunter:

        I'm not saying that anyone in particular shouldn't buy it -- if it meets your needs, go for it -- just that I can't really broadly recommend it because I assume the next generation is going to be so much better. It's kind of a big annoyance that the battery on the Go just can't make it through a day, and is actually worse than the current Surface Pro. I'd gladly trade power for longer battery life in a mobile device, but here you're sacrificing both. Next year, when WoA is ready for the mainstream, the Surface Go will be perfect.

        3 years ago
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    • macguy59

      In reply to MikeCerm:

      If you thought the Pentium "Gold" was slow . . .


      3 years ago
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    • bbold

      In reply to MikeCerm:

      The NEXT gen device is always best to get. If you kept waiting, though, you'd never indulge. lol But for now, the first gen Surface Go is great for those who keep their expectations in check at this price and quality point. It's a great device for my needs. Charges from 4% to 100% in 40 minutes and is perfect. A+

      3 years ago
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    • jhgffjjffj

      In reply to MikeCerm:

      Well if this device is essentially the 'Surface 4' then yeah, maybe MS will get it right on the 5th try. Surface RT failed, Surface 2 & 3 failed.

      3 years ago
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  2. Rycott

    I'm still confused by people complaining about the size of the bezels. This thing is a tablet. I want somewhere to hold it when I am using it. If it had no bezels my fingers would be sitting on the actual screen part.

    3 years ago
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  3. glenn8878

    The review is awfully generous. It’s actually less capable than a iPad at half the price. There’s no real usage scenario that makes sense. I’ll pass. Microsoft should just stick to making laptops, not tablets or hybrids.

    3 years ago
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    • wp7mango

      In reply to glenn8878:

      err no, Microsoft makes awesome hybrids. Surface Pro is superb. Surface Studio is a desktop, but it too is awesome.

      3 years ago
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    • ivan19998

      In reply to glenn8878:

      so true.

      3 years ago
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    • soundtweaker

      In reply to glenn8878: Try opening Photoshop on your Ipad. I won't hold my breath.


      3 years ago
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      • puggsly

        In reply to Soundtweaker:

        Adobe announced it. Shipping 2019 the iPad will support "full photoshop". So I wouldn't hold my breath but it is coming. The world she is changing and all of the development $$ are being pushed into mobile, not window and not Mac. So we will just have to see how this plays out.

        3 years ago
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    • Andi

      In reply to glenn8878:

      As soon as you need file system access the ipad becomes a netflix playing paper weight.

      3 years ago
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      • Bill Russell

        In reply to Andi:

        It like saying as soon as you need to take a family vacation for 7 your economy sedan becomes useless. Yes, that's correct. But I do not enjoy tooling around in my 7 passenger SUV by myself guzzling all the gas and clunky, heavy performance. I think with the multitude of cheap computers and devices we can easily have several ideal "devices". For me that is a full desktop system with dual monitors, an iPad and a smartphone. The computer was "free", obtained as hand me down parts from my employer, and the iPad 2017 was $279 and I have an iPhone 6S, and Pixel (each around $179-ish from ebay). These sorts of theoretically "do it all" machines fall short on all fronts.

        If I really need to bring a computer somewhere (I don't), I have a couple cheap chromebooks.

        3 years ago
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        • wp7mango

          In reply to Bill_Russell:

          These do-it-all machines only fall short if not chosen correctly for your personal requirements.


          I use my Surface Pro as a consumption tablet (reading news, browsing the web etc), and I use it as a pro tablet when I sketch on it for UI design and various other pro tasks. But when I use it as a PC, I connect it to an external monitor, keyboard and mouse, and it serves as a fine desktop PC. I rarely use it as a laptop, so it doesn't really need to serve that purpose.


          So for me, the Surface Pro does do it all in terms of meeting my requirements. For everything else (communications and camera), I use my phone, because it's with me all the time.

          3 years ago
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      • glenn8878

        In reply to Andi:

        I have no trouble accessing files on iPads. Files are managed in the apps.

        3 years ago
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  4. SYNERDATA

    I keep waiting for a review video which actually shows the device working and loading and running different things so I can see for myself how it is performing. Why is it so hard to just show people the thing in action?

    3 years ago
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  5. bbold

    Loving my Surface Go. It's amazing, super-portable, and very stylish. Yes, you can literally take it just about anywhere. It's cute and super useful. I got the 8gb Cobalt setup, but I also heard Windows Central say the 4 gb model wasn't that terrible (search YouTube for Daniel's video.) I would say that if you keep your expectations in check, and just want something for light or productivity use, this is the perfect device for you.  Also, the tiny cute keyboard DOES grow on you (took me about 2 weeks with my super large hands, now typing like a pro!) I also have a Surface Book 2 for when I need to do more intensive work; I mostly keep that at home now on my desk and take the SGO instead. Super light! Great for someone like me who is portable.. I'm a FT student and work 40+ hrs a week in a major job, so I need the flexibility of tech with full Windows. (I ended up switching to Windows 10 Home because 10 S doesn't have a store app that can open Adobe write protected documents and I needed free Adobe DC which is not in the Store, and Adobe Touch in the store is outdated.) Battery life is abysmal, but otherwise it's a solid Surface product and I adore it. The $30 optional new Surface Mouse is amazing, too. Def recommend it. But yes... it is the start of something wonderful, I believe. This can be so much more, but what can't these days? This is almost a perfect device. A-

    3 years ago
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    • irfaanwahid

      In reply to bbold:

      As much as I listen to their (WindowsCentral) podcast and writeups, I somehow sense fanboysm in their reviews.

      Yes, 4GB might be good for some, but in my experience with low end devices with other makes, it usually does not live up to the expectations. When Windows and Office chews up most of the RAM, you are left with laggy performance.

      Though I must say, I haven't tried 4GB Surface GO as yet.

      3 years ago
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    • Tony Barrett

      In reply to bbold:

      If you've for money to burn that is, and accept all the compromises. The Go is very expensive for what it is, especially once you *have to* buy the optional keyboard to make it remotely usable. There are plenty of better alternatives, but if you must have a Surface badge, then good for you.

      3 years ago
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  6. ccalberti

    I bought the 8GB/128GB version with the MS keyboard upgraded to W10 and added a 256GB MSD card, and I consider this the (almost) ideal highly portable, inexpensive (comparatively) secondary device I have been looking for. After a week, I have given away or sold on eBay my iPads and Samsung Tablet, as the Go does all they can do in a compact format and functions as a productivity device with full Windows, office 365, storage, etc. I have had a Surface Book for two years and love it as my primary computer. I never liked the Surface Pro series as a primary computer because However, it is heavy for daily lugging around. I can use the GO for most client meetings and presentations, too, and for travel. I can also use it as a secondary device on my desk, without the MS keyboard, using a high def monitor and my logitech keyboard and mouse that can pair with three devices (the third being with my note 9 in Dex mode tied to the monitor). Good for MSFT, innovating in this space.

    3 years ago
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  7. potzy1

    Really? The review is two weeks behind every other major publication, and it is only a video review with no accompanying written review. This site is steadily going down hill, with so-so content behind a paywall and lackluster reviews.

    3 years ago
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  8. dougga

    Nice review, Brad. I don't think I could work 4 hours on that small of a keyboard. So, a 5ish hours life is sufficient for me. Seems to be a great companion device to a larger system so I can lighten my load when needed. #proudmicrosoftemployee. #GoBengals


    3 years ago
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  9. illuminated

    Nice review. For me it is clear that battery life is just too short. Love form factor but with 5 hours of battery life surface go is just not as useful as travel computer. Other than that surfaces are awesome.

    3 years ago
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  10. JerryH

    So no review? Just a video? Nothing to see here move along. What happened to be able to read a text review with some pictures and maybe some graphs of performance and battery life?

    3 years ago
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  11. straker135

    Surface Go battery life does seem to be the main limitation. I had read that it could quick charge to a decent percentage in about 30 minutes so might it stretch to a day's use with a lunchtime charge? Has anyone had real world experience to share?


    3 years ago
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    • chrisrut

      In reply to straker135:

      Yes. See my comment below. Just as you say - it can quick-charge quickly. Moreover, since it can charge on the USB-C port, we use the same chargers as our phones. And we never go too far afield without a way to charge our phones. So I don't believe it merits being called an "issue." It has merged in with my other "lifeflows" (as contrasted with workflows) nicely. It's not a distraction.

      3 years ago
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  12. gabbrunner

    I have a feeling this might be really successful. In this price range, many buyers will come from older laptops which only had 2-3 hours battery life. So they won't notice the problem so much.


    I just have a good feeling about it, even though I'd never use it myself due to the performance, and battery. It's going to be a winner. The next generation will probably fix battery life, so the model us here to stay, I believe.

    3 years ago
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    • chrisrut

      In reply to gabbrunner:

      Exactly. That difference between 3 and 6 hours crosses the line separating "distracting" and "not distracting." That's exactly what I'm experiencing.

      Better battery life is always good - but for me that next one - with LTE - will earn a spot on my credit card - and this original Go will Go around the house: I'm already using it in my kitchen for recipies.

      3 years ago
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  13. ommoran

    I wanted this unit, I really did. I had the original RT, and replaced it with the Surface 3, and thought - aha! - I'll get this one.


    I don't know what world Paul and MaryJo live in where people in meetings take notes on their phone. In my corporate buttoned down world, that's just not on - people assume you are texting or you are playing Candy Crush. I loved the Surfaces I had and lived with their limitations, but they were great for note-taking - you could put them flat on the desk and it would be less distracting than a notebook, and you just write your notes and off you go.


    Then they announced the go, and I started to do the math. It didn't make a lot of sense, especially in Canadian dollars. But for $100 more today, I bought a Lenovo 730 15" with a core i7, 8GB of RAM and 256GM of SSD storage. This is my laptop, not a work laptop. I'm given a VPN desktop at the office, and can get by with a notebook in meetings. This laptop is my occasional at the house (tablet mode) that isn't as powerful as my PC, and is the unit I take when we go to our recreation property, or out on my vacations and trips, etc.


    Apples and oranges for sure, but this unit meets my needs much better than the Sufrac e Go ever could. And I wanted to love the Surface Go, I really did.

    3 years ago
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    • chrisrut

      In reply to ommoran:


      For me, the form factor was the deciding factor. Anything with a 15" is too big for my use-case. Although I still work remotely extensively, the gorgeous screen coupled with my new toric-lenses (cataract replacement surgery :-) makes this fine on the Go - but it will never be my main workstation - it's intended for remoting from home, only.

      But wow are you right about folks taking notes on phones! Anything more than a few seconds is too much... Of course the same holds true to a slightly lesser degree for a laptop or tablet - you need to stay in the conversation and look-away to the device occasionally, not the other way around.

      3 years ago
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  14. Simard57

    I know that the pen attaches magnetically - does the previous surface pen attach as well as the current one? I have a couple of those from past surfaces. I realize the newer pen is more precise but for notetaking, the older pen is adequate


    3 years ago
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  15. nbplopes

    I just wonder, if people applied the same reasoning that makes this thing great for them, but to an iPad Pro or even the regular iPad they would arrive to the conclusion that the iPad turned out to be much more capable than they ever thought!!!!


    Here it is Brad: Take an iPad Pro with a Keboard to NY, you would probably be surprised!!!!. For just $100 more than you unit you would be able to Skype and Write your article with no lag. Heck even a smartphone today can do that!!! Wait for this year iPad Pro before getting so excited :0


    Just try it with no preconceptions and use the same reasoning you used here, please. Than write down a comparison.


    One app at a time in these kinds of devices is so 2010!! What does “full windows capability” even mean in terms of actual usable capacity? Nothing but a sophism to justify that its magically more powerful?


    Cheers.

    3 years ago
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    • Saxwulf

      In reply to nbplopes:

      If they discovered a cure for vanity, Apple would cease to be.


      Sent from my iPhone X

      3 years ago
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    • macguy59

      In reply to nbplopes:

      I would guess most iPad users only use one app at a time

      3 years ago
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    • Andi

      In reply to nbplopes:

      No file system access, no dice. Sorry, but once you get used to the flexibility of a desktop OS no ipad can match that.


      Surfaces are all niche pro devices, even the Go. The people buying them are the ones actively searching for its capabilities. Ipads are for people that want(not need) ipads and the ipad "pro" is just an ipad with a better chipset. No reason for the average person to get it over the vanilla ipad, especially now that they both have stylus support.

      3 years ago
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      • nbplopes

        In reply to Andi:


        You have a file manager just like Windows in case you don’t know.

        3 years ago
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        • RobertJasiek

          In reply to nbplopes:

          Files on iPad? This is still the most buggy and dysfunctional software ever. A file manager by claim but total crap in reality. The software is as disappointing as Apple's failure during the prior 10 years to include anything of a file manager in iOS.

          3 years ago
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          • nbplopes

            In reply to RobertJasiek:


            Maybe its because you are using One Drive with it.

            3 years ago
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            • RobertJasiek

              In reply to nbplopes:

              Files on iPad Mini 4: It is total crap because

              - it does not show "On My iPad" until some tricks circumvent some bugs,

              - afterwards it does not show any files until some tricks circumvent some other bugs to create an unwanted folder linked to a specific app, which must be kept permanently so as not to hide all files of all apps again,

              - afterwards it does not show any files in iTunes directories but all my relevant files are there because imported by iTunes's Windows system services,

              - therefore, to see any of my files, I have to move them from iTunes directories to non-iTunes directories and, before I can send them back to my PC via iTunes, I have to move them from the non-iTunes directories to the iTunes directories meaning that Files creates unnecessary work to achieve what I can achieve in the app-local file management of Documents 5 used for transfer from / to the PC.


              Even all these bugs ignored, the functionality of Files is totally insufficient. Result: iOS and Files prevent 2/3 of the tasks I would want to do with the iPad or make quite a few tasks 10.000 ~ 100.000 times slower.

              Previously, Files had two more major bugs. If Files continues to be improved at this glacial speed, it takes a century to make it applicable for local file management.

              Of course, I do not use any cloud. Files is said to work better with files in the cloud. For local files, it is total crap.

              3 years ago
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              • nbplopes

                In reply to RobertJasiek:


                Just replying with a video that might help you with the Files app, but also change the perception about the actual realized potential of the device, for real work while on the road. Albeit its no substitute of a Workstation, for scientific, technical and deep financial work. But has the name implies its a Pad as of notepad/notebook ... It does not pretend to offer the capacities of a Workstation through its OS like the Surface Go or Surface Pro.


                I apologize for my accent, I’m Portuguese, doing this from Portugal / Lisbon. Also apologies for the crudeness of my video,. but I’m no youtuber or journalist and was done quite in the spur of the moment.


                Still, hopefully is relatively perceptible if not enjoyable.


                https://ibb.co/gTxHAz


                https://youtu.be/YtH1iJypwGA


                Cheers.

                3 years ago
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                • RobertJasiek

                  In reply to nbplopes:

                  Your video illustrates what I expected: new Apple CPUs are fast; using Files with a cloud can work; standard workflows can work on some new iPads. Unfortunately, this solves none of the bugs affecting me when trying to use Files locally. I need to work locally to protect work, privacy, security.

                  Besides, I have non-standard workflows, which resemble scientific needs. I guess Apple CPUs would be fast enough for most of my tasks but iOS software and file formats are not specialised enough for my needs. That I count files in 100.000s adds to the problem.

                  I do need PC functionality (software, OS, file management) although tablet hardware might be sufficient.

                  Thanks for confirming that Surface Go would be too slow for me as a PC replacement. Before I was unsure about this aspect because single thread benchmarks rate the lowest Core i similarly, which is just good enough for me.

                  3 years ago
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                • nbplopes

                  In reply to RobertJasiek:


                  Hi Robert. I don’t think the iPad or Surface Go can be the Workstation for me either. But either can be, the digital pad for work! I think that is the business case of an iPad for work for people that have really demanding digital workloads.


                  I just find it funny that it’s necessary that MS launches the Surface Go, for microsoftians to consider something between a Workstaion and a Smartphone. Aka, digital pad or notebook.


                  As a digital pad or notebook the iPad is far more powerfull than a Suface Go which is something that most reviewers seam to avoid talking, That is the core problem for the Surface Go. It’s neither a good pc or a good digital work pad due to performance, forget tablet. Only people that desperately need Windows for one reason or another makes sense, one might be simply not knowing much of anything else.


                  As such personally I have more demanding needs for a digital work pad use case than having 100.000 files locally. I don’t need to have a massive “database“ of files locally for this use case. For that matter I would go for a laptop if not a desktop computer. I do need it to be fast, robust, stable, secure for the digital processes that are best fit for the form factor, which does not seam to be the case presented by Brad Sams.


                  You seam to pass on the fact Surface Go was launched a couple of weeks ago not in 2015 as is the case of your iPad Mini 4.


                  Cheers.

                  3 years ago
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                • RobertJasiek

                  In reply to nbplopes:

                  I wish any device would be a suitable digital pad for work for me. Either of the following would do it:

                  • Toshiba Portege X20W but with display ratio at most 1.5,
                  • Surface Pro but with matte display, replaceable battery, its availability for at least 7 years at reasonable price, same for 7+ years service (instead of the current rip-off)
                  • large ebook reader but with colour display, Windows or Linux,
                  • iPad (Pro) but with matte display, without camera bump, with Windows or Linux

                  Since manufacturers refuse to create the ideal device, I have to wait for realisation of a software application abstraction layer for all relevant OSs and CPUs fast enough for that.

                  3 years ago
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                • nbplopes

                  In reply to RobertJasiek:


                  I understand aspiration of many for any device to work well as both a Workstation, Digital Pad, Tablet, Laptop, Smarphone ....


                  That is possible in a world like “Ready Player One”. But we live in a more advanced reality. And in this reality I don’t want or need to use a butchers knife to cute a cow through at a diner, just to eat a piece of stake, or vice versa. It does not matter how sharp each knife might be. even though both in very abstract terms were tailored to cut meat.


                  I have tried to persue this in many ways and a lot of $$$


                  I think we should move on from this “childish” way of integrating technology, of digitalizing the analog, the biological and so on. Built on the division of software and hardware. Nothing in our world works like that for a reason.


                  Rather than think of anything around us us software. A window of in the desktop is a continuum of the window in your apartment.


                  Within this I realize that for my work on a desk in the office, working for hours end, the best is a powerful Workstation. I don’t need a laptop there. On the go I don’t need such power, neither I want it considering how it would affect the form factor of the device (butchers analog) Still I want that work to be accessible on the go to make on the fly adjustments.


                  Something like Ike an iPad Pro with 13” with mouse support, and the ability to Remote Desktop to my Workstation would solve this. For this matter alone there are a lot of solutions.


                  So we are left only with what makes a digital work pad great as a stand alone device and as a continuum of the Workstation and a Smartphone. That is for me is the core.


                  3 years ago
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                • RobertJasiek

                  In reply to nbplopes:

                  My needs differ from yours because I do not need a powerful workstation or a smartphone as extra devices. For me, in principle, one device (plus peripherals) can do it all. CPUs are fast enough for that realised in a silent device. My only problem is that there is no such device with suitable display, OS, battery supply and service.

                  3 years ago
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        • wp7mango

          In reply to nbplopes:

          iPad is still inferior to any Surface Pro, just like an iPad is inferior to any MacBook too.

          3 years ago
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          • nbplopes

            In reply to WP7Mango:


            That’s what I call positive affirmation :)


            But in many ways its not inferior to a MacBook. So it must be just a Surface thing?


            I have all of these products by the way. I mean a Surface Pro, a MacBook Pro and an iPad.

            3 years ago
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  16. MacLiam

    I've had mine for a day short of two weeks and share your positive impressions in just about every regard. This is not a device I would use for hours on end, but I find myself dipping into it on an as-needed basis several times a day to look things up, take notes, or entertain myself with a crossword puzzle. For that kind of stuff it is perfect. If I were away for a weekend trip, I would make it a point to take along the charger or an external power pack with an appropriate adapter. Real work on the road? I'd take my Book 2 for that, but the Go would come along for smaller and more casual tasks.


    This should be absolutely nobody's primary or sole computer, but it could be used by almost everyone as a preferred device for those times when the bigger device is overkill and your Plus or XL phone screen doesn't have enough area to bring off what you need to do.


    I did kill S-mode, upgraded to Windows Pro, and just today enrolled mine in the Insider Program. It's running the latest Fast Ring release now.


    I am not using the Go to write this. I am on a larger Surface using a full keyboard. The Go and Pro touch covers are fine designs, and good enough to use in a pinch, but I far prefer a stiff keyboard with number pad. If one is available, I use it.

    3 years ago
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    • chrisrut

      In reply to MacLiam:

      Agreed on just about all. But as I mentioned elsewhere, since the Go can charge on the USB-C port there is no need for a special charger - those that service our phones service the Go, so this has been a non-issue so far. No need for it's own charger or a pack. The Go merges nicely into my lifeflow (my word of the day :-).

      3 years ago
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  17. RonH

    Assuming that people take a one hour lunch, would that be enough time to top up the battery get through the second half of the day?


    3 years ago
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  18. jules_wombat

    Useless as a first line device, because the 5 hour Battery Life is so poor, and the Industrial Design edges is so uncomfortable in the hand.

    Android is the plaform for mobile and first line users. Windows really not in the consumer or field market.

    3 years ago
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  19. wunderbar

    Battery life. I feel like everything else about this device can be justified except for that. 5 hours of real world use is just not acceptable in that category and price point.


    I love the idea of the device, I really do. I wanted to convince myself that I should get one. but the battery life. Just can't do it. I'll carry around my actual laptop that really isn't that much bigger (but does weigh 2.6 pounds, so that's significantly more) and gets 9 hours of battery with a 4k screen.

    3 years ago
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  20. RobertJasiek

    Besides the short battery life, the iFixit repairability score 1, missing replaceability of battery and mirroring display kill the device for me. If I needed the keyboard, the tiny arrow keys would be another failure.

    I could tolerate the CPU for use as a secondary device. The device is for people not caring about the aforementioned kill aspects.

    3 years ago
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    • digiguy

      In reply to RobertJasiek:

      mirroring display is a easy fix.... all my non matte displays have anti-glare screen protectors, problem solved and additional protection for your screen... Battery life can be solved with a small power bank (or even a larger and faster one if you need 15 hours or more).

      3 years ago
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      • RobertJasiek

        In reply to digiguy:

        Matte protectors: One can buy tablet, pen and protector, then test whether each works for itself and all work together. If not, then one has likely wasted some money because one cannot return all three parts. If one receives at least one of them significantly later, this can inhibit the right to undoing purchases of the other parts (e.g. because in Germany the 14 days period for online purchase returns is over). Thus being beta-tester for matte protectors can mean buying a tablet that then is useless. Instead of putting all risk and burden on the endconsumers, it should be the manufacturers' duty.

        Power bank: I want a tablet. I do not want to hold tablet and cable to a power bank and carry that to wherever I hold the tablet. If I use it while moving or at different places in the garden, I do not want to move also a power bank all the time A tablet is not a PC. A tablet itself should have, say, 16h battery life for light use (see Galaxy Tab A first generation). I know, x86, ok, let us say clearly more than 10h.

        3 years ago
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  21. Xatom

    Battery life and lack of LTE presently make this a fail as a travel device. How is it that Apple can release LTE on its tablets at release date?What this device and Android have is the ability to connect a hard drive. For travel Android bests IPad which best this Surface-LTE, OTG and battery. Different use cases would result in different conclusions. I use Galaxy Tab S, IPad and Surface Pro each for specific use cases. IPad is clearly the best tablet OS but OTG trumps when in the road or more specifically on a flight.

    3 years ago
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  22. chrisrut

    Good review Brad.

    I'm really enjoying my Go; beyond expectation to tell the truth. The form factor is exactly what I wanted.

    Battery life hasn't been an issue so far. On two multi-day vacations the convenience of being able to just pop it on the same chargers we use for our phones (USB C) and throw a quick charge in it - just as we do with phones - made it pretty much a non-issue. I'm taking it to Europe for a couple of weeks in September - we'll see how it fares on an extended trip.

    BTW, I do fit in the use case group you mention. Calling it one-app-at-a-time is a bit of an exaggeration, but I get the point, and you're right: this is not for people who want to play games.

    Here's what surprised me: for the first couple of days I didn't even realize it was in S-Mode! I'd only used Office apps and Edge, and as per usual, for "real" work, I remoted into various workstations and servers. All of which uses were absolutely normal in S-mode. Finally noticed it when I tried to open a CMD window for something or another and realized it wasn't there... :-) This thing isn't for doing work, this is for accessing work. So, I've left it in S-mode. For now. Again, we'll see how far I get.

    I definitely want an "always connected" version when available. At which point this one will earn a more-or-less permanent spot in the living room as the replacement for my older non-touch I7 Ultrabook. The poor thing... it seemed so sleek and ultra-modern just a few years ago...

    Thumbs up!

    3 years ago
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    • MacLiam

      I think you are going to need Windows Pro to get a Command Window or Powershell. Even if you can open a Command Window (and I couldn't after turning off S-Mode), I don't think you would be able to elevate it to the Administrative level. MS doesn't want presumably naive Win Home users to get into the system controls and make an unintentional mess.


      3 years ago
      0

  23. Jhambi

    Meh, don't buy the first gen of any surface product.

    3 years ago
    0

  24. waethorn

    I bet Solus or Zorin would fly on this thing - assuming they aren't using any kind of stupid Microsoft-designed custom chips with Microsoft-branded firmware that's incompatible with everything but Windows.


    I run Solus on a Celeron N3450 with 4GB of RAM and a 64GB eMMC drive (HP Stream 11 Pro to be exact). It's my go-to PC for my IT work.

    3 years ago
    0

  25. Travis

    I completely disagree about the one app at a time comment. I snap apps side by side (OneNote and Edge) with no issues. I can have 5-10 apps open at the same time with no issues. I turned S mode off too. I think your problem is more Chrome than anything else.

    3 years ago
    0

  26. dstrauss

    When I started using laptops (1986 - Toshiba T1100 Plus), laptops as a category were "accessories" to our "real" computers on our desktop. Reviewers routinely were dismissive of laptops as only "good enough if all you intend to do is web, email, and word processing" with no multitasking capability (if you discount TSR's like Sidekick). Fast forward today to the Surface Go, a "super computer" in comparison to the the T1100+, and you get the same dismissive "it's only good for" comments from reviewers and some users who, like me, tend to be Tim Taylor in search of MORE POWER.


    But go online (especially YouTube) and check out reviews by real users who are NOT professional tech pundits. There are many people who find the Surface Go to be a great daily driver. If you are a gamer or high end video editor, go elsewhere. Same for AutoCad and Adobe CC junkies, this is not the droid you are looking for (in fact, there are probably only a handful of laptops you should consider, like the Surface Book 2 15" or Alienware specials).


    If you want to use the Surface Go as you "iPad" to big iron, as many Apple users do with MacBook Pro, go for it. But just don't be so dismissive of this little beast just because it can't Geekbench with the muscle cars...this can be a very capable daily driver for what you used used to call "office drones" who take notes, email, web search (I will concede Chrome is a brutal hog), Word, and Excel. Thanks to the Surface Dock, folks have tied this little gem to 32" 4k displays, external HD's, and even the Surface Dial with lots of success.

    3 years ago
    0

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