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South Africa, Pretoria
1 Level
688 Review
52 Karma

Review on Microsoft Surface Laptop Go Touchscreen by Charles Ahmar

Revainrating 3 out of 5

Make sure you agree to the trade-offs

I'm pleasantly surprised as I really like the finish of the Go laptop. I feel like Microsoft missed the home run here, since the base model has 4GB of RAM and no fingerprint sensor, and then has to jump to the next $699 trim to get 8GB of RAM and a fingerprint sensor. Result: double rule. Likes: Design: A beautiful device that stands out from others in its category. Ice blue is attractive while not the most obvious blue still retains a pleasing appearance. The plastic underside doesn't detract from that either. Size: It is compact and fairly light. Screen: Despite the sub-1080p resolution, the screen is still attractive and bright with accurate colors. The 3:2 aspect ratio also makes this a hit as the screen is larger and it's easier to view documents on it since you have to scroll less than the 16:9 aspect ratio. Color Options: There are 3 different color options to choose from, options are always good. Ports: Having USB-C and A is great, as is being able to charge the device via USB-C along with a magnetic charging port. Trackpad: This is the prettiest trackpad I've ever used when my fingers slide across it. That. The mouse moves great. Price: The base model starts at $550. Fingerprint Reader: Convenient and fast login. Performance: All models come with an i5 processor and I think it's more than good for general users, even the base model will give you good performance. Neutral: Keyboard: I'm comfortable typing, but it's not as good as the Pixelbook Go's keyboard because it's a bit soft when typing. . When was the last time you found a $500+ device that wasn't in full screen mode? Sound: I think it sounds decent, not surprising, neither for nor against. Base model: 4GB is indeed Microsoft, you can't just add an extra 4GB and charge $599. Why so restrict? In addition, the base model does not have a fingerprint scanner. Battery life: 7-8 hours. Not surprising, but not terrible either. Cons: Keyboard: no backlight. This is again the biggest scam the last time you had a $500+ device without a backlit keyboard. This makes typing difficult in dimly lit rooms and creates a no-go area for those working in the dark. Price: With the top-tier model, Microsoft is really just trying to charge you for additional storage. $899 only further highlights the shortcomings of this device. price range. In summary: I looked at a number of devices in this class and some that are not in its class. Not the most important device for me, but very good. What annoys me the most is the lack of a backlit keyboard on a device in this price range. I think the screen looks very nice, but resolutions below 1080p also feel gaudy. I have a feeling they could add an i3 and then a fingerprint sensor to the base model. Avoid the $899 model as it's too expensive to pay for something this compromised. Also consider: the Surface Laptop 3 is something to consider if you're worried about compromise. It features a backlit keyboard, Full HD+ display, and a larger 13.5-inch screen. It costs more and the frame around the display is larger.

Pros
  • Convenient security with Windows Hello sign-in and fingerprint power button with Windows Hello and one-touch sign-in on select models.
Cons
  • Can't remember