Surface Go is making headlines for what seems to be Microsoft's first real consumer-focused Surface push. Web-surfing, watching videos and listening to music lead the marketing of this affordable premium 2-in-1.
Microsoft complements these promoted scenarios with images of children using Surface Go, a mom using it while cooking, a woman using it for selfies, and people lounging with it at home. Still, Microsoft asserts Surface Go is for everyone, including schools and businesses. Though perfect for leisure, Surface Go is also a relatively powerful mini 2-in-1 capable of handling most productivity tasks the Surface Pro can.
Thus, businesses that would bust budgets investing in Surface Pros may find that Surface Go meets their business needs without breaking the bank.
Money talks
Business decisions are influenced by costs. Microsoft's Surface as a Service and Steelcase partnership provides it with avenues to get Surfaces to businesses. This doesn't come cheap, however.
Microsoft's Surface Pro, its "most versatile laptop," has been the company's "flagship" productivity device for businesses. Until recently it epitomized tablet mobility with laptop productivity. Unfortunately for businesses, Surface Pro's keyboardless $799 base model and its $1700 full specced model are often just too expensive.
Microsoft's Surface Go is a PC that provides productivity without compromise at an appealing price. As a premium Windows 10 2-in-1 with support for full Office, legacy programs and modern apps, Microsoft's $449 starting price may hit the mark. Adding the required keyboard brings the cost to $549, and the Surface Pen (essential for some industries) bumps it to $649. For the mobility convenience this 1.15-pound premium 10-inch Surface offers, Surface Go's price range may finally put Surface within many businesses' reach.
Surface Go is versatile and powerful
Surface Go's high-resolution 1800 x 1200 (217 PPI) display, microSDXC card reader, USB-C port, enterprise-grade biometric protection via Windows Hello, 4GB to 8GB RAM, 64GB to 128GB Storage, seventh-generation Pentium Processor, nine-hour battery life, LTE configuration and NFC support for radio frequency ID (RFID) used in inventory tracking, position Surface Go as a great tool for a range of frontline and mobile workers.
Surface Go fits well within businesses that have committed to Microsoft's industry-leading IT solutions such as Azure, device management, Office 365, Skype and Microsoft Teams. It represents an ultraportable access point to Microsoft's productivity services. And as a 2-in-1 it, it easily shifts from touch- and pen-centric tablet mode to laptop mode for desktop productivity. Additionally, the ability to dock Surface Go provides mobile and frontline workers with the full comforts of a Windows 10 desktop when needed. iPad can't do that.
Furthermore, the kickstand's 165-degrees of articulation is ideal in industries where drawing is required.
Surface Go fits virtually everywhere
Surface Go's range of capabilities from context-conformity, Pen integration, full Windows, ultraportability and more, helps it fit virtually anywhere. It's notebook-like dimensions with Surface Pen and Windows Ink make it an excellent tool for researchers, designers, doctors and many other occupations where note-taking (and cloud-sync) plays a major role. For factory floor workers, repairmen and tech support, Surface Go is an easily carried tool from which to access company information or initiate Skype calls.
From highly-mobile social workers who keep extensive records, house-hopping realtors who take pictures of properties and record customer info and tutors who use modern tools to support students and track progress, Surface Go fits businesses from the boardroom to the factory floor.
Finally, Microsoft Chief Product Officer Panos Panay said of Surface Go's work and life fit: "Our products don't do just one thing because people don't do just one thing."
Surface Go's positioning leverages Microsoft's enterprise relationships and the influence of the bring-your-own-device (BYOD) movement. Businesses that may internally find Surface Go's function and cost balance appealing may also be externally influenced by professionals who find Surface Go appealing in their personal lives, making it a no-brainer choice for businesses.
