Microsoft Surface Go tablet review: pros and cons

Today Microsoft is one of the most famous and best manufacturers of hardware and software in the world. She gained her popularity for a reason. All devices released by this company stand out for their quality, durability and reliable software. Tablets, computers, etc. created on the basis of the Windows operating system and office programs Microsoft Office. The popularity of the models of this manufacturer has become one of the leading. The functionality is varied.

Today the company presented its new product to us - the Microsoft Surface Go tablet computer. In this article we will figure out how to choose what amount of memory is preferable, configuration, performance and many other selection criteria.

Microsoft Surface Go is a very peculiar gadget. It has no analogues and competitors in its field. Designed for a specific customer with specific requests.

The tablet is very productive, multifunctional, but let's talk about it in more detail.

He is one of the most convenient and inexpensive representatives in the history of Microsoft tablets.

Its lightness is comparable to that of the iPad, but the functionality allows you to work with any Windows program. It cannot replace a powerful computer for the user, but for cartoons, games, reading or long trips, this is the most suitable option. Holds charge for a long time.

For the price: in different countries of the world they are different. The average price was revealed, which is $ 370 (excluding the cost of the keyboard). The most popular models from this manufacturer are much more expensive.

Specifications

Surfase Go is a scaled-down version of all previous tablets from this manufacturer. Magnesium alloy is taken as the main material for the case, the model is produced only in one color - gray. The case gives a feeling of complete elaboration and does not look cheap, the design is well developed. Stand included. It can be used for more convenient viewing of films, TV series, etc., or in order not to hold the device in hands during operation.

When you pick up a device, the first thing you pay attention to is its weight. This model weighs only 520 g. The screen size is 10 inches. For the same Surface 3, it exceeds 10.8 inches. Therefore, the device is included in the rating of quality products from Microsoft.

Advantages and disadvantages

The biggest drawback is the large bezels on the screen. Of course, they are needed at the moment when you hold the device in your hands, but not when you work on it, as on a laptop. The screen is not very clear. She is inferior to her predecessors. Not very much, however, and it is not noticeable during work. But, if another model falls into the hands, the difference will become obvious.

Camera

Further, of the shortcomings, the quality of the camera shooting will be discussed. If you turn it on in the sun, it will be hard to see what exactly is happening on the screen. Even with maximum brightness turned on. How does he photograph otherwise? The front camera is not bad. It is perfect for video calls. Also, face recognition is supported starting from the Windows 7 operating system.

Black bars appear on the sides when watching widescreen videos. Supports HD quality images and videos. But this is more of the pros than the minuses.

Keyboard

The previous model was taken for the basic style and principle of operation of the keyboard. The new variation does not have such great usability, but they are not inferior to previous models. The keyboard is sold separately for $ 100. It is small and the buttons are comfortable. Users noted this as a plus. Marking her as the best of all with whom they worked previously.

Compared to the keyboards of the same Samsung, this is heaven and earth. Inconvenient, strongly protruding keys that work every other time, because you have to apply force to press. Another thing is the keyboard from Microsoft. Flat, perfectly matched to the user's fingers, easy and quick to press. This greatly speeds up the process of writing the required letters.

There are all the usual input methods. By pressing with fingers, stylus, etc. The stylus works the same way. As in other similar models from Microsoft. The stylus is purchased separately from the screen and keyboard itself. Its cost reaches $ 100. But, according to surveys of people, it is practically not needed if you can control the device by pressing your finger.

Sound

If you take the device in hand, it will look great in them. Its low weight of half a kilogram will delight anyone. There are 2 speakers on the sides. They work muffled, which is a little frustrating, because this time it seemed that the company would change the sound quality, make it better. Also, users complained that there is not enough sound volume, I would like more. To watch movies or videos in quiet rooms is a great option, for everything else it remains a moot point.

Data transfer

The device does not have LTE support, only dual-band Wi-Fi. And Bluetooth 4.1 is present. This is not a typical feature for tablet computers, only for computers.

Battery

In this version, the company decided to use standard charging connectors.

The battery lasts up to 5 hours in active use of a large number of different applications and up to 9 - as a video player. Plus, on the latest version of the operating system, a lot of charge is eaten up due to the simultaneous execution of many actions. The indicators for ordinary tablets with such work are up to 10 hours, for this tablet computer - up to 5. For active games it is definitely not suitable, because it will sit down in just a few hours. This is all provided that no other applications will be used.

In order for the device to work all day without recharging, you will have to carefully schedule the work on it so that excess charge does not go away. And during the working day, you hardly want to do this. Therefore, at this moment, a tablet computer from Microsoft can be put a huge minus.

CPU

We must not forget about the dual-core processor, which may be able to pull the advantage in its favor.

Manufacturers have promised 30% more performance over the previous processor. At the same time, the choice for the device in 2018 is the most standard.The wonderful word "Pentium" evokes in the minds of buyers a reflection of the days gone by, which is high time to forget, but the developers return to it from time to time.

In the review, all attention is directed towards the model with built-in memory of 8 GB. Its cost is $ 550 fully loaded. There is a quick ability to switch between browser tabs, applications and more. This fact should be noted as a plus. Files may not sync when loading video pages. The processor will have to strain 100% here.

During the opening of all standard applications, the memory of the tablet computer is used at almost maximum power. And a model with 4 GB of memory may not be enough. Therefore, you will have to constantly monitor the memory consumption. And this is a very inconvenient process.

To summarize, it is necessary to say separately about the pros and cons.

Pros and cons

• Very thin and lightweight for its class;
• Large screen;
• Comes with a convenient keyboard, which is also a cover that can be detached;
• Additionally, you can purchase a version of Windows 10 Pro.

• High cost for a complete set;
• Keyboard and stylus sold separately;
• Outdated Pentium processor;
• Few apps are designed to work on a tablet.

Customer reviews and impressions

To many, it seemed like a tablet, not a computer. The edges, which are slightly curved, are comfortable to hold in the hand, but the large margins on the screen are a little confusing. It is lightweight and does not create tension when held in your hands for a long time. Fits perfectly in a backpack or bag, does not create additional inconvenience when carrying. Many were surprised that there is access to functional applications of the new software in Windows 10.

Of the shortcomings, the default version is Windows 10 S, which allows you to work with applications only from the official store of the company. It is possible to switch to the standard version, but it complicates the work and creates confusion. Notifications that pop up when downloading third-party applications can greatly scare the owner of the gadget. The fact is that the work of a tablet computer slows down a lot if you use applications downloaded from non-official sources. Plus, there are a lot of different viruses on Windows, etc. On the other hand, why limit yourself in something if the official application cannot provide a worthy replacement for the application you need.

A small number of browsers choices hinder user experience. Elementary, other applications may not suit you with their functionality and it will not be a joy to use them. The system was not created for tablets initially, so it helps to create content, and not just use it for your own purposes.

With all the shortcomings, the device is convenient to work with. This provides a comfortable keyboard. It doesn't take long to get used to, your fingers will quickly adapt to the buttons. There is a slight curve near the buttons, which guides your fingers slightly and allows you to type the buttons you want faster.

You can order this planets everywhere. Also find the best average price. Unfortunately, it will not be possible to find budget analogues.

Output

The tablet computer from Microsoft did not live up to the wishes and expectations of customers. Insufficient brightness, inability to work in the sun, sound suppression and low volume. You can watch movies on it only in silence, if there are extraneous sounds, then the process is very difficult. Poor performance, poor speed when working in several applications at once. When fully loaded, it is somewhat more expensive than its predecessors. Mixed mode operation up to 5 hours, using only one function, such as watching movies, can work up to 9 hours without interruption. You can't play powerful games, it will slow down.

On the positive side, there is a comfortable keyboard, convenient control with and without a stylus. The dual-core processor will help speed up applications. Support for Bluetooth 4.1, which is more typical for full-fledged computers.

The device may not be suitable for all users. But, if you have clearly decided for yourself that you need this device, then you should buy it.

This personal computer competes primarily with tablets. If you have no desire to change your computer to a tablet, then this option is perfect for this mission. But the device should not be considered as a daily work on it. It doesn't have enough power for that. It can serve as an accessory that you can put in your bag and use it periodically throughout the day.