Tag: Surface Go 2

Forget the Surface Go 2 tablet, this challenger comes with a keyboard and stylus for half the price

The new Surface Go 2 tablet from Microsoft received a solid review from TechRadar; we described it as “an excellent affordable Windows 10 tablet that features a premium design found in the company’s more expensive devices”. 

However, if you want something even more affordable, you should check out the Pipo W11, which retails for about half the price of Microsoft’s diminutive tablet.

Pipo is not a household name, but we’ve known about the company since 2014 when it unveiled the Pipo W2 tablet. The W11 follows in the footsteps of that 6-year old device, which back in the day ran on a little-known OS called Windows 8.1.

The W11 also comes with a keyboard cover and stylus, all for the princely sum of $269.99 (£212.40/AU$383.51). For comparison, the cheapest Surface Go 2 configuration with pen and keyboard cover retails for $568.97 – more than twice the price. 

The W11 wins out when it comes to performance, with its Celeron N4100 CPU trouncing the Surface Go 2’s Pentium 4425Y, according to CPUBenchmark. It’s also superior when it comes to storage (Pipo’s candidate has 64GB eMMC plus a dedicated 180GB SSD) and connectivity (the W11 has three more ports than its rival).

On the other hand, the Surface Go 2 has a smaller screen with a higher resolution, which produces sharper pictures, plus a bigger battery capacity and a longer battery life, higher resolution cameras, faster Wi-Fi/Bluetooth and is far lighter. 

Businesses looking for a cheap business tablet are also likely to side with Microsoft’s device because of the return policy, the free technical support and in-store assistance.

Microsoft prepares to launch Surface Book 3 and Surface Go 2

Microsoft is getting ready to unveil its Surface Book 3 and Surface Go 2 hardware. Recent retailer leaks have hinted that Microsoft is planning to use Intel’s latest 10th Gen processors on the Surface Book 3, alongside potentially up to 32GB of RAM and 1TB of storage. Rumors also suggest that Microsoft is switching to Nvidia’s Quadro graphics chips in some Surface Book 3 models. The switch will mean the Surface Book 3 will better cater to 3D animators, designers, and engineers who rely on the power of Quadro graphics cards that are optimized for a number of pro apps instead of gaming.

Microsoft is also preparing a Surface Go 2, a successor to its popular smaller tablet. Retailer leaks have also hinted that Microsoft will be offering a model with an Intel Core m3, alongside the typical Intel Pentium Gold processor option. Windows Central reports that the Surface Go 2 will also include a larger display at 10.5 inches, with slightly smaller bezels that are more similar to those found on the Surface Laptop 3.

The exterior size is said to be the same as the original Surface Go, though, so existing accessories and the Type Cover from the Surface Go will work on the Surface Go 2. The Intel Core m3 model will also reportedly include 8GB of RAM, 128GB storage, and an optional LTE connectivity.

Microsoft is planning to unveil its new Surface hardware next month, according to sources familiar with the company’s plans. Those plans could change due to the pandemic, but Microsoft has been working toward these new devices for quite some time.

Microsoft’s Surface Go 2 passes through the FCC

The second iteration of Microsoft’s Surface Go tablet is on its way, and it just passed through the FCC. You can check out the filing here (spotted by WinCentral), and the product is only known as Portable Computing Device; however, the hardware version is listed as EV2, which is the same as we’ve seen from some Surface Go 2 leaks.

As for what to expect from the Surface Go 2, it’s going to be very similar to the original, as second-generation Surface products tend to be. Historically, it’s the third generation where the real change happens, as we’ve seen from Surface Pro 3, Surface 3, and Surface Laptop 3.

The Surface Go 2 will likely be mostly a spec bump. We’re expecting the base model to include an Intel Pentium Gold 4425Y, which is a modest bump from the Pentium Gold 4415Y we saw in the original model. But rather than being from the Kaby Lake family, the new model is from the Amber Lake family.

There’s also a higher-end model expected that will include a Core m3-8100Y, which is also from the Amber Lake lineup. It’s a much more expensive part though, costing about 65% more according to Intel’s listing. This version might be reserved for businesses.

The Surface Go 2 is expected to be announced soon, alongside the Surface Book 3.