Microsoft Surface Go 2 Microsoft Surface Go 2-10.5" Touch-Screen - Intel Review

For $214 refurbished, the Surface Go 2 delivers surprisingly strong CPU (83rd percentile) and GPU (82nd percentile) performance in a Windows tablet. Just don't expect great battery life or a premium screen. It's a budget workhorse for specific needs.

The Microsoft Surface Go 2 is a refurbished Windows tablet that punches above its weight class in a few key areas. Its Intel Core m3 processor lands in the 83rd percentile for CPU performance, which is surprisingly solid for a device in this price bracket. That means it handles basic Windows tasks and web browsing with more pep than you'd expect from a $214 machine.

But it's a device of clear trade-offs. While the CPU and integrated GPU (82nd percentile) are strong for the category, other aspects like the screen (49th percentile), battery life (48th percentile), and connectivity (45th percentile) are decidedly average. It's a classic case of 'pick your battles' engineering.

Let's talk about where this little guy shines. That Core m3 CPU is the star, sitting comfortably in the 83rd percentile. In our testing, that translates to snappy app launches and decent multitasking with its 8GB of RAM (69th percentile). The Intel HD Graphics 615 also lands in the 82nd percentile, which is more than enough for HD video streaming and light photo editing. It's not a gaming rig, but it handles the basics with ease.

The flip side is everything else. The 10.5-inch 1920x1280 screen is fine but unremarkable, scoring right at the median. Battery life is similarly middle-of-the-road, with Microsoft's claim of 'up to 9 hours' feeling optimistic for real-world use. And with only WiFi 5, you're missing out on the faster speeds of WiFi 6. It's fast where it counts for basic tasks, but don't expect a well-rounded powerhouse.

At $214 for a refurbished unit, the value proposition is hard to ignore. You're getting competent CPU and GPU performance that beats a lot of newer, more expensive budget tablets. The catch is that you're buying into an older platform with middling battery life and connectivity. For the price of a cheap Android tablet, you get a full Windows machine. That's a unique trade-off, and for the right user, it's a steal.

Stacked against the competition, the Surface Go 2's appeal is its desktop OS. An iPad Pro with an M-series chip will run circles around it in raw performance and screen quality, but you're also paying three to four times the price and you're stuck in iPadOS. Compared to a modern Android tablet like the Galaxy Tab S10+, you'll get a much better media consumption device, but again, it's a mobile OS. The Surface Go 2's closest rival is probably a used or refurbished standard laptop. For the same money, you might find a clunkier, older laptop with better specs, but you lose the tablet form factor and portability. It's a niche, but it exists.

Skip this if you need a tablet for business-centric tasks or as a primary device. Its business performance score is a low 34.9 out of 100. Also, avoid it if all-day battery is non-negotiable (48th percentile) or if you want a premium media consumption device—its screen and speaker scores are just average. It's a secondary machine, not your main driver.

We can recommend the Surface Go 2, but with very specific conditions. If you need a ultra-portable Windows machine for light office work, web browsing, and media consumption, and your budget is firmly around $200, this refurbished model is a compelling option. Its CPU and GPU performance are legitimately good for the category. However, if battery life, a stunning screen, or future-proof connectivity are priorities, you should look elsewhere or increase your budget.