Microsoft's Surface Go 2 is right around the corner. While nothing is set in stone, I am hearing we could see the product announced sometime in May. Thanks to leaked benchmarks, which I've been able to confirm via my own sources, we already know everything about the CPU, RAM, and storage options inside the Surface Go 2. But what about any external hardware changes?
According to sources familiar with the matter, I'm told that Surface Go 2 will feature a larger 10.5-inch display without increasing the overall size of the device. Its exterior chassis will be identical to the original Surface Go, including dimensions and placement of the ports. That means keyboards and accessories designed for the 2018 Surface Go will work just fine on the Surface Go 2 as well.
The larger display size means Microsoft can make the bezels on the front of the device a little slimmer. Sources say the bezels on Surface Go 2 are an improvement over the first Surface Go, but it's not a drastic reduction in size. The bezels are not as thin as those on the Surface Pro X, for example. Expect the bezels to be more like those on the Surface Laptop 3 instead.
Increasing the display to 10.5-inches will also make using Windows 10 feel a little less cramped, especially when dealing with multiple app windows at a time. Along with the increased display size is a small bump in resolution to 1920 x 1280 which should keep things looking sharp.
What's on the inside?
The Surface Go 2 is expected to start at the same $399 price tag for the entry-level model. This will get you an Intel Pentium GOLD 4425Y, paired with 4GB RAM and 64GB storage. We're also expecting to see support support for Wi-Fi 6. Accessories like the Type Cover and Surface Pen will once again be sold separately, as is usually the case.
The big news for this year is that the higher tier option will feature an Intel Core m3-8100Y processor with significantly more power to boot. This model will be paired with 8GB RAM, 128GB storage, and an optional LTE modem too. We don't yet know exact pricing for this model, but it is expected to be somewhere in the $500 range.
| Category | Surface Go 2 |
|---|---|
| Operating System | Windows 10 Home in S mode |
| Display | 10.5-inches (1920 x 1280) |
| Processor | Intel Pentium GOLD 4425YIntel Core m3-8100Y |
| Graphics | Intel HD Graphics 615Intel UHD Graphics 615 |
| Memory | 4GB8GB |
| Storage | 64GB eMMC128GB SSD |
| Expandable Storage | microSD |
| Security | Windows Hello facial recognition |
| Ports | 1x USB-C, 1x audio jack, 1x Surface Connect |
| Colors | Platinum |
| Price | $399 (starting) |
All the Surface hardware we're expecting to see announced this spring
Surface Go 2 is shaping up to be a modest update over the original, with a larger display, thinner bezels, and a more powerful CPU option for those who need it. I was hoping to see a model powered by an ARM processor, but that doesn't appear to be happening this year. Fingers crossed that happens with the Surface Go 3 instead.
What are your thoughts on the Surface Go 2? Let us know in the comments.
