Microsoft Surface Go tablet review: pros and cons

Microsoft today is one of the most famous, 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 introduced us to its new product - the Microsoft Surface Go tablet computer. In this article, we will figure out how to choose what amount of memory is preferable, equipment, 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 buyer with unique 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 the production of Microsoft tablets.

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

By price: in different countries of the world they are different. An 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 smaller version of all previous tablets from this manufacturer. Magnesium alloy is taken as the main material for the body, the model is available in only one color - gray. The case gives a feeling of complete elaboration and does not look cheap, the design is worked out perfectly. Stand included. It can be used to more conveniently watch movies, series, etc., or not to hold the device in your hands during work.

When you take the device in your hands, the first thing you pay attention to is its weight. This model has a weight of only 520 g. The screen diagonal is 10 inches. At 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 most significant drawback is the presence of large frames 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, like on a laptop. Screen clarity is not very good. She is inferior to her predecessors. Not very strong, however, and during operation it is not noticeable. But, if another model falls into the hands, the difference will become obvious.

Camera

Further, among the shortcomings, the quality of the camera shooting will be discussed. If you turn it on in the sun, it will be difficult to see what exactly is happening on the screen. Even with maximum brightness turned on. How does he photograph otherwise? The front camera is good. It's great for video calls. Also, face recognition is supported, starting with the Windows 7 operating system.

When watching widescreen videos, black bars appear on the sides. Supports HD quality images and videos. But that's more of a plus than a minus.

Keyboard

The previous model was taken for the basic style and principle of operation of the keyboard. In the new variation, there are not so many opportunities to use, but they are not inferior to previous models.The keyboard is sold separately for $100. It is small, and the buttons on it are convenient. Users have noted this as a plus. Noting her as the best of all with whom she had previously worked.

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 sized for users' fingers, easy and quick to press. This greatly speeds up the process of writing the necessary letters.

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

Sound

If you take the device in hand, then it will look great in them. Its light weight of half a kilogram will please 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 was 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 the ability to support LTE, only dual-band Wi-Fi. And there is Bluetooth 4.1. This is not a typical function 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 the active use of a large number of different applications and up to 9 - as a video player. Plus, the latest version of the operating system eats up a lot of charge due to the simultaneous execution of many actions. The indicators for ordinary tablets during such work are up to 10 hours, for this tablet computer - up to 5. It will definitely not work for active games, because it will sit down in just a few hours. This is all provided that other applications will not 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 extra charging 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 than the previous processor. At the same time, the choice for the device in 2018 is the most standard. The beautiful word Pentium evokes in the minds of buyers a glimpse of bygone days, which it is high time to forget, but the developers return to it from time to time.

In the review, all attention is focused on the model with built-in memory of 8 GB. Its cost is $ 550 in the complete set. There is a quick ability to switch between browser tabs, applications and more. It is impossible not to note this fact as a plus. Files may not sync when loading video pages.The processor here will have to strain to 100%.

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

Summing up, it is necessary to say separately about the pros and cons.

Pros and cons

• Very thin and light for its class;
• Big screen;
• A convenient keyboard is included, 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;
• There are few applications adapted 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 disconcerting. It is light and does not create tension when you hold it in your hands for a long time. Fits perfectly in a backpack or bag, does not create additional inconvenience when carrying. It surprised many that there is access to functional applications of the new Windows 10 software.

Among 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 this 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 the tablet computer slows down a lot if you use applications that are not downloaded from official sources. Plus, Windows has a large number of different viruses, etc. On the other hand, why limit yourself to something if the official application cannot give a worthy replacement for the application that you need.

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

In the presence of all the shortcomings, it is convenient to work on the device. This provides a comfortable keyboard. It will not take much time to get used to it, the fingers themselves will quickly adapt to the buttons. There is a slight curve next to the buttons, which guides your fingers slightly and allows you to quickly type the desired buttons.

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

Conclusion

Tablet computer from Microsoft did not live up to the desires and expectations of buyers. 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 equipped, it costs a little more than its predecessors. Work in mixed mode up to 5 hours, when using only one function, such as watching movies, can work up to 9 hours without interruption.You can not play powerful games, it will slow down.

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

The device is not suitable for all users. But, if you have clearly decided for yourself that you need this device, then you should purchase 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 during the day.