Microsoft Surface Go 2 Review | A slight 2020 upgrade

Reviewing Microsoft's new Surface Go 2 tablet-cum-laptop, a 10.5-inch upgrade for 2020. This Windows tab can once again transform into a makeshift notebook using the Type Cover, offering a flexible and ultraportable design. I've been using the Surface Go 2 for a week now and here's my final review.
While the tablet itself costs from just £399, that price goes upwards fast once you factor in accessories like the keyboard cover, stylus pen and mouse. And if you already own the original Microsoft convertible, the updates here aren't enticing enough to encourage a purchase.
All the same, despite the limited performance, there's lots to love about the Surface Go 2020. Battery life is still very respectable, offering up to eight hours of mixed use per charge. The display is bright and colourful, and you can happily carry this tab around all day in even a decent-sized handbag.
Here's a full benchmark and gaming test, along with my real world experiences using the tablet along with the Type Cover. Check out my review of the original Surface Go to see how this model stacks up, and my thoughts on other Microsoft kit like the Surface Book and Pro.

[@quackerzsis99]

For anyone wondering about how it performs for gaming, it's about what you would expect. It can run Sims 4 at lower settings, Slime Rancher at default settings, and more 2D style games like Stardew Valley fairly well. But don't try to run anything hi-res or something you need low lag for because it will not work properly at all.

[@Kizivr]

Does roblox work good

[@MarouaneTF]

​@@Kizivrmost roblox games shoudl run very easily It runs at about 20 fps on my old hp laptop with 2gb ram and hp atom so the go 2 should do well

[@wendelynmusic]

I got the surface go 2 with the M3 as a tablet. I have a pro for when I need a keyboard so I have no accessories and I love it. People dis windows as a tablet but I think it works great. they've done a lot to make the touch use better and I hear that there are even more touch updates in the works already. Its rare for me to have issues and I love the windows environment . I use this like a big phone at home even answering and texting with the your phone software. Kudos Microsoft.

[@bazanime]

I got a red one too (great minds!) and its a beautiful little pc to use when I don't want to lug around my 17 inch laptop. The full 8gb version is the way to go, makes a difference. Just temper your expectations about performance from a small Intel processor and you will be fine. I use mine to take notes at meetings, draw up plans, consume media, and as a smart home control station. And when I used to commute to work, I always have a usb-c PD power bank in my backpack to keep the GO going for more hours. Never use chrome on low power devices (or on anything else), the new Edge browser works better for that and you still get all the extensions you know and love.

[@dharkundercity1796]

You should check out my Password-Vault app in the Microsoft app store by RS Creations for your Surface GO.

[@rickyharvey7143]

Agree with almost everything you said except the part about using EDGE which personally I think is the worst browser out there, for people who don’t like chrome I suggest Firefox or Brave but again that’s my personal preference

[@DrunkASMR]

Ive had this for a few months, i adore it. I built a 40% mechanical keyboard to use with it in the end, works a treat and was cheaper!

[@dharkundercity1796]

Check out Password-Vault by RS Creations in the Microsoft app store.

[@haydendmountcastle9204]

Best review yet... Super to the point and concise!

[@BriefNerdOriginal]

I got a m3 model of the Surface Go 2. It's perfect for very light use, some productivity, and certainly for traveling. On the other hand, I surely need the "real" work laptop to do serious work. But I'd say the Go 2 is great when you know what you're going to use it for.

[@dharkundercity1796]

You should check out my Password-Vault app in the MS app store for your Surface Go. Its by RS Creations.

[@bharat5194]

How's the battery performance?

[@deepu_btbx]

I think this would sell better if the cover was bundled asking

[@ianburns308]

Tech spurt, the fact that you play RoR2 and you're in the UK, literally makes you my hero.

[@konradc12]

Just viewed this review a year later, after seeing Argos deal. Unless updates have improved the performance, I think most things Chris has mentioned are still valid. Obviously the price will be lower and there will be some package deals, since there are newer models.

[@nic_ccc3366]

Had mine for a while and love it. Perfect size for me and the battery life is just enough for my use. I run my small business with it and see clients, only do productivity work and do no creative work. Also got the LTE model this time and I don't think I can go back to just wifi. The only issue I've had with it is sometimes Windows Hello takes a while to start from sleep and I just end up using the PIN. It's expensive for the performance but I just can't do iPads for work.

[@dharkundercity1796]

My Password-Vault app in the Microsoft App Store will be perfect for your Surface Go by RS Creations.

[@samarthadvani]

Absolutely loved all the Saga wallpapers 💗

[@Andrewski8506]

Love my Surface Go 1 and shelled out quite a bit for the lte version. I do have some trouble with the lte connectivity dropping out quite a bit. I was hoping to be able to plug it into a monitor and use it docked, but the processor really struggles. I am tempted to get the new one with the m3, but not sure if it is worth it. Did you notice any issues with the magnets in the raised keyboard position?

[@307skylake7]

"And I quote 'cack'" Hahaha! Got me laughing.

[@macjim]

In all honesty if you're in the market for a Surface Go then you better cough up the extra and buy the next model up from the basic one. Not only does it have more power, in the form of a Core m3 from Intel, but it also has 8Gb’s RAM over that models 4Gb’s. Also the base model only has an 64Gb eMMC drive where the next model has an SSD of 128Gb’s storage. The keyboard should be included in the box, rather than an optional extra because the Surface tablets are really meant to be used as a PC than a tablet... I'm an apple fanboy but I’d seriously consider a Surface Go or Pro over an iPad.

[@udibaran3772]

Have you done a comparison between the surface go 2 and the surface pro 7? I am interested to know your opinion given the price is not a factor. Thanks

[@paul28177]

Confused...its only supposed to be 350nits which isn’t very bright...and sooooo many other reviewers state the speakers are very quiet... - you state the complete opposite...hmmm

[@jasonlaughton7590]

Thinking of getting this model but don't know if to get the surface go 3 which oneto get I only used my surface 3 for surfacing the Web checking emails and downloading mo vies and music n that

[@_Jamie_]

It starts at £399 or not £300.

[@edwardbonifacio1536]

Pounds not Dollars

[@_Jamie_]

@@edwardbonifacio1536 That's what £ is, The Pounds symbol. This is Dollars - $.

[@ETBONIFACIO]

Jamie H I thought it was priced $399 and not £399

[@otherssingpuree1779]

I use the original base model surface go for work. I can almost fit it in my pocket. It works perfectly with up to 4 chrome tabs. I only had to pay for the type cover and pen which I almost never used.

[@dharkundercity1796]

Password-Vault in the Microsoft app store for your Surface Go by RS Creations. Get it. You wont regret it.

[@hamzaiqbal3192]

Excellent review, keep up the great work. 👍

[@RogerAVHansen]

Soooo, where is your POCO X3 video? 🤔

[@Ayush-ok6ck]

Man he deserves more views and likes

[@AbiKolapo]

Great review, thank you! You're funny too. Subscribed!

[@arvy8434]

Where are you getting your wallpaper? Loved the wallpapers you used in most of your review. Want to use that on my desktop

[@georgemathias2024]

Yes I bought one bare Bones it came out in May I like to use it like my cell phone I have all my apps and everything how can I trans fer all that into the bigger screen and the memory how we want to do that.

[@GlobalAdventurer]

Just bought this today. M3 Core version. Main Pro... weight. The lightest on the market for a laptop.

[@_Rafiki.]

How are you finding it? Thinking of getting one for my son's his schooling

[@GlobalAdventurer]

@@_Rafiki. Thanks for asking. I only use it in protected mode (Windows Safe mode). It works fine for me. I'm using it right now actually. I have 21 windows open including youtube and don't have any issue going from one to another. I really like the "phone companion" that transfer all your phone activity (emails, app notifications, messages, you name it) to the surface go2 real time. I don't have to every check my cellphone for anything while i'm on my surface go2. Not sure why people have indicated that it is slow. Mine isn't at all, but I'm using safe mode only. And I have the M3 Core version which probably really helps. If, in the future I needed a laptop, without a doubt I would buy this. No question about it at all. By, the way, I purchased the mouse, keyboard and pen. I have NEVER used the pen, only to try it out when I got it. Waste of money. I use the keyboard and mouse almost 100% of the time. Hardly ever use the surface 2go as a tablet. If i need to use a tablet, I just use my phone. I would never buy a laptop again, this thing is just so convenient and lightweight and easy to travel with. I've only traveled with it once. I think i'm going to buy that flexible microsoft mouse to travel with though, because my other mouse kind of got smashed in the travel pouch. lol The flexible mouse would fit anywhere. Not much else to add, but I really really like my surface 2go very much. No complaints. No issues (knock on wood). Good luck to you!

[@GlobalAdventurer]

@@_Rafiki. Forgot to add, I charge it once each day. Usually in the evening and its good for the next day use between 12pm-6pm on average, which includes watching youtube videos.

[@_Rafiki.]

Thanks so much for the information 🙌. I'm going to buy this with the M3 processor.

[@jasonlaughton7590]

Hi there have you done a review on the new surface go 3 yet

[@HerZika1]

Surface Pro 5th Gen (2017) with i5, 8GB RAM vs Go 2 M3 model? Which one has the better performance? I mostly use Chrome with Google Documents/Sheets and around 10 other tabs opened at the same time.

[@quackerzsis99]

you're not going to want a surface product if you mainly use Chrome. The Go slows down after 2 tabs and the Pros slow down after like 6.

[@arpitsrivstva]

@@quackerzsis99 why do they do that? they should allow to use chrome as easy as edge. I always am on that. On my low budget lenovo laptop from 5 years ago, I have opened more than 50 tabs as from a week and no performance issue.

[@Some-guy-on-the-internet]

If the third gen version uses Ryzen then I'll probably get one instead of a new Android tablet.

[@normanben290]

Is it suitable for trading testywork and saxo platform

[@andyH_England]

A choice for a secondary device if you are a Window's fan. Otherwise, your money could, should be spent better elsewhere (Chromebook, iPad, Tab S7). Limited as your main device and you can get far superior Windows laptops than the m3 version (specifically AMD) and Chromebooks would also offer more. Hopefully, MS moves to WOA on the Surface Go 3 as this solves performance and battery issues, assuming developers and MS get their act together with their ARM systems?

[@ateefrab4478]

Uff!! Love this man!!

[@glpzdmd9259]

How do we chack the internal memory

[@justted5546]

What's the name of the Chinese movie that you're watching?

[@noorbajwa7638]

Would SPSS run well on surface go 2 Pentium GOld 8 GB? I mostly wanna browse the web and watch netflix, but SPSS is a requirement for my college work.

[@Upperton]

Your headphone and phone stand looks really cool, any details on that?

[@Olcool]

i admire those phone stands too. may he share with us some details of where to get them

[@snowpuppy77]

You should have gotten the M3 version. Not much more money in 8 gig configuration and much faster. My M3 Surface Go 2 performs beautifully being zippy and smooth on everything with the web and MS Office. The only time I ever had a slow down what when I pulled up a huge AutoCAD drawing PDF from work. One definitely wants a dedicated graphics card for something like that.

[@GangityBirdity]

Microsoft was smoking a fat blunt with this one

[@AbiKolapo]

Wooooh Teen Titans Go! Awesome show!

[@Kielyoutube]

What are the limitations of Windows S? 🤔

[@katiemarshall8033]

Kiel Hanson one of the bigger ones is your forces into using edge rather than Firefox

[@Kielyoutube]

@@katiemarshall8033 ah I see, so you can only download certain software / apps? 😕

[@bazanime]

It's just allows you to use low powered apps from the MS store only. But you can upgrade for free in 5 minutes to the full version that allows to install exe apps from anywhere. Just beware of what you put on your computer and where you get it from.

[@Kielyoutube]

@@bazanime ah it's a fee upgrade. Nice

[@ramonruizgiono3873]

This machine is very practical and beautiful, except for that horrible red keyboard that you have choosen for it this time! but yet there are still some other nice keyboards available and in other nice colors such as blue or grey! which will make a much better look with the silver color of the Go 2 tablet!

[@prince-roblox5444]

I really think this would sell better if the keyboard cover + stylus would be bundled for free

[@joalblo9581]

Maybe the missing letters was the typist and not the tablet... LOL. Just kidding. Love your videos BTW.

[@ravipeiris4388]

Thank you 😊

[@be-jib]

Instantly thought of your channel when I want to enter Mr Mobile giveaway. Good luck reaching 1 milly subs Chris I'll add views along the way

[@krosser2123]

Lot's of quality humor! LOL

[@msp5138]

Geekbench 5 SG2 m3 chip = 873 2020 base model MBA i3 = 983 Cinebench R20 SG2 m3 chip = 460 2020 bsse model MBA i3 =620 Cost SG2 m3 chip = $629US (add $40-$50 keyboard/pen $40-$50 pen at Amazon) 2020 base model MBA i3 = $949US (no pen, touch screen, microSD)

[@edbenzino]

Im no artist but for business get the m3 processor version, use edge and turn off sleep just use hibernate or full shutdown. You will get a good 7-8 with videos included. But if your watching shares, keeping track of your online business while watching less vids you get 10 hours out of it! Not only that but there is fast charge so very mobile work platform. There is a huge difference to last years model especially with the m3 processor where there is rare stutter with a lot of softwares and mutiple tabs on. This is the first time i have given a thumbs down... if you are a business owner who has an online business that also needs to keep track of your shares this mobile tech is for you. If you create apps as well then this is also for you. I bought these for my little nieces and nephews who enjoy making apps. Im staring to see who are the so called youtube tech reveiws who have zero practical use of tech and give it a negative review just to have content on their channel and not fully understanding tech that gives that extra advantage to a business. I have said this countless times if you cant afford buying the keyboard and pen then this tech is not for you. For business owners (including app creators) its worth the investment.

[@glpzdmd9259]

An afrodisiac review😁 really you have a thing for kinky conversations sir😅

[@Sami.Alnasary]

Fantastic 👏👏👍👍

[@shubham7376]

Awesome

[@sinneDeel]

I see HAIDA!

[@laxmangadag807]

👍

[@the_dark_ranger3740]

Boooom

[@DaltonVann96]

2:49

[@mirilondondrift]

tablet cum laptop

[@je7887]

Can you speak a little more slowly!

[@dwarfshortage244]

Meh, work a bit harder and get an iPad Pro.

[@22oreos]

But what about Apple-phobes and people who would prefer the Windows operating system on their laptop replacement for obvious reasons?

[@whitewolf3615]

I have an iPad pro (few year old model, but still), and I find I prefer Windows operating system, specifically a more computer experience, than strictly tablet. My boyfriend got a Samsung tablet (with a keyboard case) and found it can only do so much, as well, and will be looking for a “real” laptop. I presume there are a many people who feel the same.

[@dwarfshortage244]

Both valid points. I agree that there are many who don't like Apple OS. I'm only a recent convert myself, but haven't used windows OS for a number of years now; besides at work where I'm forced to. Laptops give me Linux Mint, tablets give me iPad OS. To each his/her own. Peace.

[@whitewolf3615]

Dwarf Shortage I love Apple’s OS, too; I have an iPhone. I do like my iPad, but another reason I want to replace it is it’s a 2016 model and I can’t find a good keyboard case for it anymore (it’s “too old” I guess). I like the new iPad Pro’s actually, too. And from what I’ve seen on other videos, the Apple Pencil works very well. I wish I had the money to just get one of every tablet I want! Haha.

[@dwarfshortage244]

@@whitewolf3615 well if you're in a position to get one, the 2020 iPad Pro is awesome. I have the magic keyboard to go with it, and it's the best portable computer experience I've had.

[@prince-roblox5444]

I really think this would sell better if the keyboard cover + stylus would be bundled for free

[@prince-roblox5444]

I really think this would sell better if the keyboard cover + stylus would be bundled for free