The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 is a compact notebook with a reasonably affordable price tag (by Microsoft Surface standards) and a few key upgrades over the first-gen Surface Go that launched in 2020.

Up for pre-order now for $600 and up, the new model looks nearly identical to its predecessor. But it has a newer, faster processor with significantly better graphics. And the entry-level configuration now comes with a 128GB SSD rather than 64GB of slower eMMC storage. But the starting price did go up by $50.

As expected, the key difference between the new model and its predecessor is that Microsoft swapped out a 10th-gen Intel Core i5 processor with Intel UHD integrated graphics for an 11th-gen chip with Iris Xe graphics. While that’s not exactly state-of-the-art tech anymore, it still should bring enough of a performance boost to make the new Surface Laptop Go 2 a bit more attractive.

It’s also a small enough spec bump, though, that I wouldn’t expect anyone who already owns a 1st-gen Surface Laptop Go to spend money upgrading to a new model. Both laptops have the same display, the same ports, the same memory options, speakers, webcams, and nearly identical designs.

That said, there is a new Sage color option for the Surface Laptop Go 2, and Microsoft notes that the keyboard, trackpad, display, and battery are all designed to be serviceable (which means they can be replaced by an authorized dealer – Microsoft isn’t committing to supporting self repairs).

Here’s how the two models compare:

Surface Laptop Go 2 (2022)Surface Laptop Go (2020)
Display12.4 inches
1536 x 1024 pixels
3:2 aspect ratio
148 ppi
touchscreen
12.4 inches
1536 x 1024 pixels
3:2 aspect ratio
148 ppi
touchscreen
ProcessorIntel Core i5-1135G7
4 cores / 8 threads
Up to 4.2 GHz
15W TDP
Intel Core i5-1035G1
4 cores / 8 threads
Up to 3.6 GHz
15W TDP
GraphicsIntel Iris Xe
80 execution units
1.3 GHz max
Intel UHD for 10th-gen
300 MHz base / 1.05 GHz max
RAMLPDDR4x
4GB or 8GB
LPDDR4x
4GB or 8GB
StorageSSD (removable)
128GB or 256GB
64GB eMMC

or

128GB or 256GB SSD

Ports1 x USB Type-C
1 x USB Type-A
1 x 3.5mm audio
1 x Surface Connect
1 x USB Type-C
1 x USB Type-A
1 x 3.5mm audio
1 x Surface Connect
WirelessWiFi 6
Bluetooth 5.1
WiFi 6
Bluetooth 5.0
Battery41 Wh
Up to 13.5 hours
Up to 13 hours
Charger39W power supply39W power supply
Webcam720p
Dual far-field Studio Mics
720p
Dual far-field Studio Mics
SpeakersOmnisonic Speakers with Dolby Audio PremiumOmnisonic Speakers with Dolby Audio Premium
SecurityFingerprint sensor (in power button)Fingerprint sensor (in power button)
MaterialsAluminum top & polycarbonate baseAluminum top & polycarbonate base
ColorsSage, Ice Blue, Sandstone, and PlatinumIce Blue, Sandstone, and Platinum
Dimensions278.2 x 206.2 x 15.7mm
10.95″ x 8.12″ x 0.62″
278.2 x 205.7 x 15.7mm
10.95″ x 8.1″ x 0.62″
Weight2.48 pounds2.45 pounds
Price4GB / 128GB for $600

8GB / 128GB for $700

8GB / 256GB for $800

4GB / 64GB for $550

8GB / 128GB for $700

8GB / 256GB for $900

A few more things to keep in mind about Microsoft’s version of a budget laptop:

  • You can certainly find notebooks from other companies with similar specs at lower prices, but you probably won’t find many with 12.4 inch, 3:2 aspect ratio displays
  • The entry-level model does not have a fingerprint sensor. You’ll need a model with at least 8GB of RAM to get that feature.
  • The keyboard? It’s not backlit. While that used to be a feature that helped set premium notebooks apart from budget models, it’s a little surprising to see a notebook selling for $600 and up in 2022 that lacks a backlit keyboard.

There’s also a business version of the Surface Laptop Go 2 which should be available with up to 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage.

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One reply on “Microsoft launches Surface Laptop Go 2 with Core i5-1135G7 for $600 and up”

  1. Honestly looks like a great build, but should have been $400-$500 for the base model with an i3. $600 for anything with 4 GB of RAM is crazy, especially odd to pair it with an i5. With 8GB/256GB you’re just $100 away from an M1 Macbook Air with a processor, screen, and battery life that blows this away. Let’s see how fast they offer a $100 discount on this.

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