Is the keyboard backlit on Surface Laptop Go?
Is the keyboard backlit on Surface Laptop Go?
Why the Surface Laptop Go is still worth getting
The lack of a backlit keyboard on the Surface Laptop Go is disappointing for people who like to work in the dark but don't let that downside sway you away from considering the device. Armed with a 10th Gen Intel i5-1035G1 processor, competent Intel UHD Graphics, and up to 8GB of memory, the Surface Laptop Go is quite capable considering its low price and footprint. The 12.4-inch 1536 x 1024 display looks pretty good too, which is always great to see (ha) on a laptop. The resolution is a bit low, but for day-to-day use, it's perfectly fine. You can get up to 256GB of storage, too, and the laptop also supports Wi-Fi 6, which is the new Wi-Fi standard that boosts network speed and stability.
In terms of physical design, the Surface Laptop Go is awesome. With dimensions of 10.95 x 8.10 x 0.62 inches and a weight of 2.45 lbs, it's the lightest and smallest Surface Laptop device out there, making it perfect for travel. It also comes with a USB-A, USB-C, 3.5mm, and Surface Connect port for excellent peripheral support. While unfortunately not backlit, the keyboard is very comfortable to use, and it even comes with a nifty fingerprint reader. Overall, the Surface Laptop Go is easily one of the best Surface PCs.
Size doesn't tell the full story
Despite its small size and cost, the Surface Laptop Go packs quite a punch. The lack of a backlit keyboard is unfortunate, but it's not a huge issue by any means.
If backlighting is important
If you need a backlit keyboard, we recommend checking out the Surface Laptop 3 13.5, which is a larger, more capable, and more expensive Surface Laptop. With its more impressive 10th Gen Intel i5-1035G7 / i7-1065G7 CPU options, larger and higher resolution 13.5-inch display, and higher maximum RAM of 16GB, the Surface Laptop 3 is positioned as more of a traditional laptop rather than a compact and "fun-sized" one like the Surface Laptop Go is. That being said, it's not difficult to take around with you, and the keyboard is backlit impressively, making the Surface Laptop 3 an excellent alternative to the Surface Laptop Go if you need a device with a backlit keyboard.
The next step up
The Surface Laptop 3 13.5 is a larger, more capable, and more expensive Surface Laptop compared to the Surface Laptop Go. It also features a backlit keyboard, ideal for people who work at night or in the dark.
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Brendan Lowry is a Windows Central writer and Oakland University graduate with a burning passion for video games, of which he's been an avid fan since childhood. He's been writing for Team WC since the summer of 2017, and you'll find him doing news, editorials, reviews, and general coverage on everything gaming, Xbox, and Windows PC. His favorite game of all time is probably NieR: Automata, though Elden Ring, Fallout: New Vegas, and Team Fortress 2 are in the running, too. When he's not writing or gaming, there's a good chance he's either watching an interesting new movie or TV show or actually going outside for once. Follow him on X (Twitter).