Microsoft Surface Go 2 Microsoft Surface Go 2-10.5" Touch-Screen - Intel Review
The Surface Go 2 tries to be a full Windows PC in a tablet, but its painfully slow processor holds it back. For most people, it's a compromise that isn't worth making.
The 30-Second Version
Skip it. The Surface Go 2 is a slow Windows tablet that's bad at being both a PC and a tablet. You're paying for a brand name attached to a sluggish processor.
Overview
The Surface Go 2 is a weird little tablet that's trying to be everything and ends up being just okay at most of it. The one thing you need to know is that it's a full Windows PC crammed into a tablet body, which sounds cool until you realize the processor is painfully slow. It scored a dismal 31 out of 100 for productivity in our tests, which tells you everything. If you're buying this thinking it'll replace your laptop, you're going to have a bad time.
Performance
Let's talk about that CPU score sitting in the 12th percentile. Ouch. Our benchmarks confirm what the specs hint at: the dual-core Intel Pentium 4425Y is a major bottleneck. Opening more than a couple browser tabs feels sluggish, and forget about any real multitasking. The surprising part? The GPU somehow landed in the 99th percentile, but that's more a reflection of how few tablets even try to run Windows than any actual gaming prowess. It's like putting racing tires on a golf cart.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- It runs full Windows, so you can install any desktop app you want. 99th
- The 8GB RAM and 128GB SSD configuration is the absolute minimum you should consider for a usable experience. 73th
- At 1.15 pounds, it's genuinely lightweight and easy to carry. 67th
- Having a USB-C port is a nice modern touch for a device in this category. 67th
Cons
- The processor is agonizingly slow for anything beyond basic web browsing. 14th
- Battery life is just 'meh' at up to 9 hours, landing right at the 49th percentile.
- Wi-Fi 5 feels dated when everything else is on Wi-Fi 6 or 6E.
- The 'productivity' score of 31/100 in our database is a massive red flag.
The Word on the Street
Specifications
Full Specifications
Processor
| CPU | 1.7 GHz pentium |
| GPU | Graphics |
Memory & Storage
| RAM | 8 GB |
| RAM Generation | DDR4 |
| Storage | 128 GB |
| Storage Type | SSD |
Display
| Size | 10.5" |
| Resolution | 1920 (Full HD) |
Connectivity
| Wi-Fi | WiFi 5 |
Physical
| Weight | 0.9 kg / 2.0 lbs |
| OS | Windows 10 |
Value & Pricing
At $160 to $235 for a renewed model, it's not expensive, but it's also not a good value. You're paying for the Windows license and the Surface brand name. For the same money, you could get a much faster used laptop or a tablet that's actually good at being a tablet.
Price History
vs Competition
Compared directly, the Apple iPad Pro and Samsung Galaxy Tab S10+ run circles around the Go 2 in terms of speed, screen quality, and battery life, but they run mobile operating systems. If you absolutely need Windows in a tablet form factor, the more expensive Surface Pro is the logical step up, but its price is in a different league. Honestly, the Lenovo Idea Tab Pro gives you a better screen and similar performance for likely less money, and it's not even a standout device.
| Spec | Microsoft Surface Go 2 Microsoft Surface Go 2-10.5" Touch-Screen - Intel | Apple iPad Pro Apple - 11-inch iPad Pro M5 chip Wi-Fi 256GB with | Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Samsung - Galaxy Tab S10+ - 12.4" 256GB - Wi-Fi - | Microsoft Surface Pro Microsoft - Surface Pro - Copilot+ PC - 13” - | Lenovo Lenovo - Idea Tab Pro - 12.7" 3K Tablet - 8GB RAM | GPD GPD Pocket 4: Mini Laptop with AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CPU | 1.7 GHz pentium | Apple M5 | Mediatek MT6989 | Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus X1P-64-100 | MediaTek Dimensity | AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 |
| RAM (GB) | 8 | 12 | 12 | 16 | 8 | 32 |
| Storage (GB) | 128 | 256 | 256 | 512 | 256 | 2048 |
| Screen | 10.5" 1920x1280 | 11" 2420x1668 | 12.4" 2800x1752 | 13" 2880x1920 | 12.7" 2944x1840 | 8.8" 2560x1600 |
| OS | Windows 10 | iPadOS | Android 14 | Windows 11 Home | Android 14 | Windows 11 Home |
| Stylus | false | true | true | false | true | false |
| Cellular | false | false | false | false | false | false |
Common Questions
Q: Can it run Photoshop or do video editing?
No, not really. The processor is too weak. You might be able to open the apps, but doing any actual work will be painfully slow. This is for web browsing, documents, and very light media consumption only.
Q: Is the battery life really 9 hours?
In ideal, light-use scenarios, maybe. But in real-world use with Windows running in the background, expect less. Our data puts its battery performance squarely in the average range for tablets.
Q: Should I buy the 4GB or 8GB RAM model?
8GB, full stop. The 4GB model with Windows is practically unusable for modern browsing. The 8GB version is the bare minimum for a semi-fluid experience.
Who Should Skip This
If you're looking for a primary computer or a fast tablet for entertainment, this isn't it. Go get a used M1 iPad Air or a budget Chromebook instead. They'll both feel infinitely faster and last longer on a charge.
Verdict
We can't recommend the Surface Go 2 for most people. It's a compromised device that doesn't excel at anything. The terrible CPU performance cripples its usefulness as a PC, and as a tablet, it's heavy and runs an OS not designed for touch. Only consider this if your needs are hyper-specific: you must have a ultra-portable Windows device for one, single, lightweight task, and you're on a strict budget. For everyone else, there are better options.