Microsoft launches Surface Laptop Go with $899 competitor to MacBook Air
Microsoft on Thursday introduced the Surface Laptop Go, a lighter-weight and less powerful iteration of the company's notebook lineup at a price that undercuts Apple's cheapest MacBook Air.
Credit: Microsoft
The Surface Laptop Go is much more affordable than other Surface devices, and the lower-end models seem aimed at poaching Chromebook buyers. But the more expensive tiers could be a competitor to Apple's MacBook Air.
Instead of any significant new features, most of the changes on the here are on form factor and price. It packs a 12.4-inch display, weighs less than a MacBook Air at 2.45 pounds, and starts at $549.
Here's how it stacks up against Apple's MacBook Air.
Despite the 12.4-inch display, the Surface Laptop Go features a 1536 x 1024 resolution, with a 3:2 aspect ratio. Apple's MacBook Air sports a 13.3-inch display at a 2560 x 1600 resolution and a 16:10 aspect ratio, that utilizes Apple's True Tone technology.
The Surface Laptop Go features a single USB 3.2 type-C port and a single USB 3.1 type-A port, as well as a 3.5mm headphone jack and a Surface Connect charging port. The camera is a 720p webcam that won't support Windows Hello facial recognition. For biometrics, users get a fingerprint reader in the power button -- but only on the $699 and $899 models. The MacBook Air features two Thunderbolt 3 ports and an integrated Touch ID sensor.
The Surface Laptop Go also features Wi-Fi 6, which the MacBook Air lacks, and a fast charging mechanism that can top a battery off to 80% in an hour. On the other hand, all of Apple's laptops are made of aluminum. The Surface Laptop Go, as a cost-saving mechanism, features a plastic housing.
For example, the base model isn't much of a laptop replacement, packing just 4GB of RAM and 64GB of eMMC storage. Compared to competing PC makers, consumers can get more bang for their buck for $549. Of course, buyers are paying for the Surface design, as well as features like a full keyboard and Microsoft's Windows Precision trackpad.
There's also a mid-tier $699 model that comes with a more-capable 8GB of RAM, but is still stuck with a 128GB SSD drive. Apple's cheapest MacBook Air model at least has 256GB as the standard storage configuration.
Available in Blue, Sandstone, and Platinum, the Surface Laptop Go is available for preorder starting Thursday. It'll start shipping on Oct. 13.
Credit: Microsoft
The Surface Laptop Go is much more affordable than other Surface devices, and the lower-end models seem aimed at poaching Chromebook buyers. But the more expensive tiers could be a competitor to Apple's MacBook Air.
Instead of any significant new features, most of the changes on the here are on form factor and price. It packs a 12.4-inch display, weighs less than a MacBook Air at 2.45 pounds, and starts at $549.
Here's how it stacks up against Apple's MacBook Air.
High-end Surface Laptop Go versus MacBook Air
Although it starts at $549, those are underpowered compared to the MacBook Air. The $899 top tier model of the Surface Laptop Go could give the MacBook Air some competition. It sports 8GB of RAM, 256GB of SSD storage, and a quad-core 10th-generation Intel Core i5 processor. The MacBook Air costs $100 more, but packs a dual-core 10th-generation Intel Core i3 processor.Despite the 12.4-inch display, the Surface Laptop Go features a 1536 x 1024 resolution, with a 3:2 aspect ratio. Apple's MacBook Air sports a 13.3-inch display at a 2560 x 1600 resolution and a 16:10 aspect ratio, that utilizes Apple's True Tone technology.
The Surface Laptop Go features a single USB 3.2 type-C port and a single USB 3.1 type-A port, as well as a 3.5mm headphone jack and a Surface Connect charging port. The camera is a 720p webcam that won't support Windows Hello facial recognition. For biometrics, users get a fingerprint reader in the power button -- but only on the $699 and $899 models. The MacBook Air features two Thunderbolt 3 ports and an integrated Touch ID sensor.
The Surface Laptop Go also features Wi-Fi 6, which the MacBook Air lacks, and a fast charging mechanism that can top a battery off to 80% in an hour. On the other hand, all of Apple's laptops are made of aluminum. The Surface Laptop Go, as a cost-saving mechanism, features a plastic housing.
Base models
The $899 Surface Laptop Go is the top-end model and the most serious competition to Apple's MacBook Air. But Microsoft also has two other tiers for the laptop, and both leave quite a bit to be desired.For example, the base model isn't much of a laptop replacement, packing just 4GB of RAM and 64GB of eMMC storage. Compared to competing PC makers, consumers can get more bang for their buck for $549. Of course, buyers are paying for the Surface design, as well as features like a full keyboard and Microsoft's Windows Precision trackpad.
There's also a mid-tier $699 model that comes with a more-capable 8GB of RAM, but is still stuck with a 128GB SSD drive. Apple's cheapest MacBook Air model at least has 256GB as the standard storage configuration.
Available in Blue, Sandstone, and Platinum, the Surface Laptop Go is available for preorder starting Thursday. It'll start shipping on Oct. 13.
Comments
Surface Laptop 3 (2019) - $999
13.5" 2256x1504 display
Intel Core i5-1035G7 (4 cores / 8 threads with G7 graphics)
8 GB LPDDR4X-3733
128 GB SSD (user replaceable)
2.79 lbs
MacBook Air (2020) - $999
13.3" 2560x1600 display
Intel Core i3-1000NG4 (2 cores / 4 threads with G4 graphics)
8 GB LPDDR4X-3733
256 GB SSD
2.8 lbs
the cheap USB stick is too prolific.
MS as far as the IT group is concerned is all that matters. Anyway, nobody wanted them to the extent they aren’t even on offer anymore.
Price isn’t the point. The Surface is a pile of hot garbage compared to the generally lean and efficient iPad.
I think that the iPad is the best tablet in the market. But the Surface does many things better than the iPad, specially when you add the keyboard / trackpad. For example, if I work with a complex document or spreadsheet, the Surface is a better device. Same as multitasking, where the iPad is very limited compared to Windows.
I would agree that the iPad is very efficient in many tasks, but I can said the same of the Surface in many tasks too. IMO, it all depends of what you need, the apps / applications and your workflow. I consider both, the iPad and the Surface Pro, excellent devices.
I use a Windows 8th-gen quad-core i5 machine for work and it’s a dog. Specs/$ is misleading.
1. I like the Touch Bar and use it pretty regularly.
Touch bar is Apple's response to lack of touch screen. Who copied who?
Surface laptop doesn't need a tiny touch bar as the entire screen is touch sensitive.
Touch bar is Apple's response to lack of touch screen. Who copied who?
Surface laptop doesn't need a tiny touch bar as the entire screen is touch sensitive.
Switched from ThinkPad P50 Mobile Workstation to Surface Book 3 (32GB RAM, 1TB SSD) - the best laptop ever owned - super versatile with zero competition.
Had the middle model been the base price, that would be appealing. But I'm hard pressed to get the upgrade models with their pricing, though Microsoft does do direct sales unlike Apple.