Microsoft Surface Go 2, m3-8100Y

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Reviews for the Microsoft Surface Go 2, m3-8100Y

80% Microsoft Surface Go 2 review: Tiny but not very mighty
Source: Expert Reviews
All of which puts the Surface Go 2 in an awkward position. From a design and usability standpoint, it’s a gorgeous little thing. You can type for hours in comfort on the Type Cover keyboard, the display is stunning and the whole package is about as portable as laptops of any ilk get. It’s the careful attention that Microsoft has paid to the finer details, though, that I really love about it: the top quality webcam, excellent microphone and surprisingly good speakers. But the Surface Go 2 suffers from one big, unsurmountable weakness: it simply isn’t powerful enough. Indeed, the lack of performance means I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone for use as anything other than a second laptop – a companion device to use for the occasional job, maybe, but certainly not for all-day work. If that’s what you’re looking for, the Microsoft Surface Go 2 will do a sterling job albeit at a rather high price; those hunting for the maximum value, however, will be better off with a proper laptop like the Honor MagicBook 14 or a Google Pixelbook Go.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 12/01/2021
Rating: Total score: 80%

80% Microsoft Surface Go 2 review: Is this hybrid 2-in-1 worth buying?
Source: T3
The Surface Go 2 is something very specific, which other hybrids can’t compare with: a tablet that can double up as a Windows laptop. Beyond that, it has a first-class web cam, fantastic picture quality, decent audio and excellent battery life. And it looks wonderfully sleek and elegant to boot. To get all that for £499 is good value indeed. That said, if you're going to do more than the most basic laptop tasks, we'd recommend paying for extra storage and processing power. And that means the cost starts to go up. In short, if you want a powerful computer and aren’t bothered about separating into a tablet, you’d be better off buying a conventional Windows laptop. But if you’re set on a tablet-laptop hybrid, and want to do 'grown-up' computing rather than mess around in Android or iOS, the Surface Go 2 is our top recommendation.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 08/19/2021
Rating: Total score: 80%

90% Microsoft Surface Go 2 review: Small but mighty
Source: Android Authority
The Surface Go 2 is a fantastic little Windows tablet for entertainment and light workloads. The range offers a very affordable entry point into Microsoft’s Surface line-up and is one of the best value devices on the market right now. However, the costs quickly add up once you add the keyboard cover and Office software — and those who want to do more than surf the web will want to spring for the Core m3 model too. So the real cost of ownership probably starts at closer to the $700 mark. Fortunately, Microsoft offers an Essentials Bundle that works out a little cheaper than buying everything individually.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 07/18/2021
Rating: Total score: 90%

80% Microsoft Surface Go 2 review: Is this hybrid 2-in-1 worth buying?
Source: T3
If you want a tablet you can turn into a real-life laptop, The Surface Go is the best in class. Just don’t expect it to match the power of a Surface Pro.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 01/28/2021
Rating: Total score: 80%

Microsoft Surface Go 2 Review: Why?
Source: Tech2.in.com Archive.org version
The 2020 iPad (Review), the cheap one, the one that costs Rs 28,000, which also happens to run on a 3-generations-old Apple SoC, offers a browser that’s five times as fast as the one on the fully specced-out Go 2, supports most Microsoft apps, is easily two to three times more powerful, has a tonne of apps, supports modern 3D games, has a better display, is slimmer and lighter, doesn’t get as hot, lasts twice as long, edits 4K videos… I could go on for ages. And I haven’t even mentioned how much more sensible and usable iPadOS is when compared to Windows 10 in tablet mode or that the stylus is very intuitive to use.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 12/15/2020

80% Microsoft Surface Go 2 review: A capable 2-in-1 PC, but at a price
Source: The Indian Express Archive.org version
The Surface Go 2 is fast (at least the model I tested), portable, and the speakers are loud. For me, the Surface Go 2 shines because of its form factor and solid performance. I see the Surface Go 2 as the perfect device for someone like a blogger or author. While the Go 2 ships with a “real” desktop operating system — Windows 10, it is hard for me not to look at the new iPad Air. Not only is it priced on a lower side but the iPad Air is a better tablet any day. That said, the Surface Go 2 still fascinates me, despite being priced on a bit higher side in India.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 12/08/2020
Rating: Total score: 80%

100% Microsoft Surface Go 2 review: Same size, bigger ambition
Source: It Pro Archive.org version
Even if it’s no powerhouse, the Surface Go 2 sets a new standard for cheap Windows 2-in-1s. By tweaking and improving the already-accomplished Surface Go, without unduly jacking up the price, it’s even more successful at replicating the qualities of recent Surface Pro devices - even outdoing the current-gen Surface Pro 7 on battery life.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 06/08/2020
Rating: Total score: 100%

70% Microsoft Surface Go 2 review
Source: Slashgear Archive.org version
All that said, my perennial frustration with the Surface Go 2 arrived entirely because I’d start to mistake it for an everyday notebook. Then, though, you run into the constraints of its processor and the shortcomings of its keyboard. The knowledge of just how much you’d have to pay for that experience was never far behind.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 05/25/2020
Rating: Total score: 70%

Surface Go 2 Honest Review - Why I almost threw it out..
Source: Max Tech Archive.org version
Microsoft's Surface Go 2 is a great budget tablet with a few really impressive features and specs for a low price of $400. However, there are a couple of huge issues that stop us from recommending it to our viewers.. I explain why in this review.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 05/24/2020

80% Microsoft Surface Go 2 review
Source: Laptop Mag Archive.org version
With long battery life, thin bezels and decent performance, the Microsoft Surface Go 2 addresses the shortcomings of its predecessor, but don’t expect a miracle from this $399 tablet.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 05/20/2020
Rating: Total score: 80%

75% Microsoft Surface Go 2 Review: Don’T Push It
Source: The Verge Archive.org version
When Microsoft first announced the Surface Go back in 2018, it talked a lot about how transformative it could be to have a full Windows experience on such a small, portable device. As an avowed lover of tiny computers, I buy into that claim more than most. But even I have to ask myself if the trade-offs are worth it.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 05/15/2020
Rating: Total score: 75%

80% Microsoft Surface Go 2
Source: PC Mag Archive.org version
The markedly improved Microsoft Surface Go 2 offers better computing performance, a larger display, and longer battery life than the original, making it a solid work-from-home (and idle-time) companion among Windows tablets.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 05/12/2020
Rating: Total score: 80%

70% Microsoft Surface Go 2 review: A gorgeous, pricey tablet with a decent CPU
Source: PC World Archive.org version
The Surface Go 2 debuts at an uncertain time. When everyone is sheltering in place, an ultramobile tablet for travelers isn’t especially valuable. On the other hand, students attending classes online could use a relatively low-cost Surface that’s optimized for videoconferencing as well as everyday web and office work.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 05/11/2020
Rating: Total score: 70%

Microsoft Surface Go 2 review: The awkward teenager
Source: Digital Trends Archive.org version
The Surface Go 2 is a device I want to love. In many ways, it’s the 2-in-1 I’ve always wanted. If it ran the right software, had a more comfortable keyboard and thinner bezels, and delivered better battery life, I might consider trading in both a tablet and a laptop to live the single device life.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 05/11/2020

79% Surface Go 2 review: Microsoft's tiny PC is only a tiny bit better
Source: Engadget Archive.org version
The Surface Go 2 offers some slight improvements over the original: A larger screen and a faster CPU option. But the $400 model isn’t much different, and all of the upgrades and accessories add up quickly.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 05/08/2020
Rating: Total score: 79%

Microsoft Surface Go 2 review: Microsoft's tiny PC grows up… sort of
Source: Engadget Archive.org version
The Core M3 CPU is nice, but the $400 model disappoints.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 05/08/2020

Surface Go from Microsoft comes back for round 2, starting at $399`
Source: CNet Archive.org version
Plus, if we get lucky and our long stay in quarantine-land starts to come to an end, the first thing people will want to do is take their PCs and go work in the park, in coffee shops, on planes and anywhere but at home. The new Surface Go 2 looks like a potentially good way to do that, which I will confirm once I get a chance to fully test the hardware.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 05/06/2020

Foreign Reviews

83% Microsoft Surface Go 2, análisis y opinión
Source: Computerhoy ES→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 08/24/2020
Rating: Total score: 83%

67% Microsoft Surface Go 2
Source: PC Guia PT→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 07/25/2020
Rating: Total score: 67% price: 60%

75% Microsoft Surface Go 2 Review: o companheiro ideal!
Source: 4G News PT→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 07/20/2020
Rating: Total score: 75% price: 50% performance: 80% display: 80% mobility: 80% workmanship: 90%

Microsoft Surface Go 2: ricetta vincente non si cambia
Source: Quotidiano Hardware Upgrade IT→EN Archive.org version
Positive: Compact size; light weight; nice performance.
Comparison, online available, Long, Date: 07/27/2020

80% [Test] Microsoft Surface Go 2 : une valeur sûre à petit prix
Source: Journal du Geek FR→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 06/11/2020
Rating: Total score: 80%

75% Đánh Giá Microsoft Surface Go 2: Nhìn Là Yêu Ngay Nhưng Sống Cùng Thì...
Source: VNReview VN→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 05/27/2020
Rating: Total score: 75%

Surface Go 2
Source: Dinside NO→EN Archive.org version
Positive: Elegant design; great built quality; nice display; support both dual SIM and microSD card reader; USB-C. Negative: Average performance; overheats while using.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 06/15/2020

Comment

Model:

Microsoft has recently launched a plethora of new devices in their Surface line-up, including the Surface Go 2, the Surface Book 3, the Surface Headphones 2 and the Surface Earbuds. The 10.5-inch Surface Go 2 is Microsoft’s second iteration of a Windows 10 detachable computer. With a sleek magnesium design, the device definitely gives the regular feel that one would expect from the premium Surface line. It has been equipped with a USB Type-C port, a MicroSD reader, a headphone jack, a Surface Type Cover port and a Surface Connect port for accessories. There is also an option of adding up to 1 TB of storage instantly through a MicroSD.

The top of the device has been equipped with the power button and audio level control buttons. Apart from that, the Surface Go 2 has a built-in kickstand to prop up the device, as well as an optional Type Cover Alcantara keyboard that easily connects to the device. The model is obviously slimmer with a larger display compared to the last generation. In a nutshell, the design of the device definitely gives a premium feel while remaining sleek for great portability.

As far as the display is concerned, the Microsoft Surface Go 2 has a 1920 x 1280 resolution, which equates to 220 PPI with a 3:2 aspect ratio. There is definitely an improvement from the last-gen Surface Go, which came with a 1800x1200 resolution and a PPI of 217. However, the display of the Surface Go 2 is lagging a little behind its competitors such as the Apple iPad and iPad Air with a 264 PPI display. Still, the display on this device is crisp, responsive and bright. The overall brightness hits 408 nits. The panel is great for viewing videos and images as well.

In terms of performance, the Surface Go 2 has been equipped with the Intel M3-81007 CPU along with 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage. There are also other versions of the Surface Go 2 for lower prices with an Intel Premium Gold 4425Y CPU and either 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage or 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of storage for users to choose from.

As for its battery, this model has a battery life that offers 10 hours of video playback time, which is definitely better than the 9 hours offered by the original Surface Go. This device offers a lot for several hours of video streaming and to keep one’s work going on throughout the day with ease. In this time of work and school taking place at home, the Surface Go 2’s dual Studio microphones and 5-megapixel front and rear facing cameras are real added values for consumers. Overall, it is a great device to explore compared to the previous generation of the Surface Go.

Hands-on article by Jagadisa Rajarathnam

Intel UHD Graphics 615: Integrated graphics card in some Amber Lake Y-series processors (5 Watt TDP) with 24 EUs (GT2) and no dedicated graphics memory. Clocks with up to 1000 MHz depending on the CPU Model. 

Non demanding games should be playable with these graphics cards.

» Further information can be found in our Comparison of Mobile Graphics Cards and the corresponding Benchmark List.

m3-8100Y: Extremely efficient ULV-SoC (System-on-a-Chip) for tablets and fanless notebooks based on the Amber Lake architecture which is basically a Kaby Lake chip produced in the  improved 14nm+ process (no 14nm++) with higher clock speeds and 5 Watt TDP. Includes two CPU cores clocked at 1.1-3.4 GHz with Hyper Threading support as well as a graphics adapter.» Further information can be found in our Comparison of Mobile Processsors.

10.50":

This is a standard display format for tablet computers or small convertibles. You see more on the screen than on a smartphone but you can't use big resolutions well. On the other hand, mobility is not a problem.

Microsoft:

Microsoft smartphones and tablets have been tested since 2012. There are many reviews with average ratings. The reader's interest is quite given, but the market share is not big enough for the Top 5 smartphone manufacturers (as of 2016).

79.41%: This rating is not earth-shattering. This rating must actually be seen as average, since there are about as many devices with worse ratings as better ones. A purchase recommendation can only be seen with a lot of goodwill, unless it is about websites that generally rate strictly.

» Further information can be found in our Notebook Purchase Guide.

Devices from a different Manufacturer and/or with a different CPU

Devices with the same GPU

Devices with Same Screen Size and/or Weight

Devices from the same Manufacturer