Microsoft have announced the latest product in their Surface range - the Surface Go. It is the smallest and cheapest device in the range, and will be available from 2nd August 2018 (23rd August 2018 in the UK).
The 10-inch Surface Go weighs just 522g, is 8.3mm thick, and will run on Windows 10 in S mode (this mode can be turned off, but not back on again). In terms of storage, it is available with either a 64GB eMMC for £379.99 or a 128GB SSD for £509.99, and each comes with 4GB / 8GB RAM respectively. Microsoft claims that the battery for the more expensive version is expected to give 9 hours of video playback, although they also state that "battery life varies significantly with settings, usage and other factors".
Surface Go shares a number of features with it's big brother, the Surface Pro - for example, they share the same PixelSense display (albeit at different resolutions), the same front and rear cameras, WiFi connectivity, and security features. Both support the Surface Pen, although it is not included in the purchase price with either.
Surface Go vs iPad 9.7
Microsoft is clearly hoping to take on Apple's 9.7-inch iPad, so how do they compare?
The 10-inch Surface Go weighs just 522g, is 8.3mm thick, and will run on Windows 10 in S mode (this mode can be turned off, but not back on again). In terms of storage, it is available with either a 64GB eMMC for £379.99 or a 128GB SSD for £509.99, and each comes with 4GB / 8GB RAM respectively. Microsoft claims that the battery for the more expensive version is expected to give 9 hours of video playback, although they also state that "battery life varies significantly with settings, usage and other factors".
Surface Go shares a number of features with it's big brother, the Surface Pro - for example, they share the same PixelSense display (albeit at different resolutions), the same front and rear cameras, WiFi connectivity, and security features. Both support the Surface Pen, although it is not included in the purchase price with either.
Surface Go vs iPad 9.7
Microsoft is clearly hoping to take on Apple's 9.7-inch iPad, so how do they compare?
- iPad is cheaper - price starts at £319, although that is for the 32GB model (compared with Surface Go 64GB for £380), and the 128GB iPad is £409 (£100 cheaper than Surface Go)
- The iPad comes in a range of colours, the Surface Go does not
- Surface Go does not support mobile connectivity, only WiFi
- Both support a smart pen (Apple Pencil £89 / Microsoft Pen £100) but neither are included
- Surface Go is slightly bigger and heavier (245 mm x 175 mm x 8.3 mm 522g vs 240 mm x 169.5 mm x 7.5 mm 469g for the iPad WiFi only version)
- Battery life looks to be slightly better with the iPad, although we'll know for sure after the Surface Go is released
- Surface Go supports a keyboard (purchased separately from £124.99) whereas only the iPad Pro version supports a keyboard
