Microsoft Reveals $599 Surface Laptop Go 2 Launching June 7
A new processor, more base storage, improved webcam, and impressive battery life are promised.
The details leaked earlier this week, but Microsoft has made it official: Preorders are now open for the $599 Surface Laptop Go 2.
If you liked the 2020 Surface Laptop Go, then you’ll be pleased to hear the second-generation model is more of the same, with performance, battery, and base-storage upgrades.
The Go 2 uses an 11th-gen Intel Core i5–1135G7 with Iris Xe Graphics, 4GB or 8GB of LPDDR4x RAM, and a 128GB or 256GB SSD, depending on the model chosen. You may remember the first-gen base model shipped with a 64GB eMMC drive, which Microsoft has thankfully dropped as part of this update.
The screen remains a 12.4-inch PixelSense Display with a 3:2 aspect ratio and 1,536-by-1,024 resolution, and it features 10-point multi-touch. Connectivity includes a USB-C port, USB-A port, 3.5mm headphone jack, Surface Connect port, Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth 5.1. The webcam is still 720p, but Microsoft says it has been improved and complemented with dual Studio Mics. The keyboard keys apparently have 30% more travel than those of a MacBook Air, and the trackpad is a generous size considering how small this laptop is.
Battery life is claimed to be 13.5 hours, which—considering we got over 11 hours on the first-gen model—could end up being accurate if you take into account the more-efficient-processor upgrade. The 39W power supply included with the laptop can achieve an 80% recharge in just over an hour.
As you’d expect, the Go 2 ships with Windows 11 Home installed, but you’ll also find Microsoft 365 apps and the Xbox App preinstalled. Microsoft includes one-month trials for Microsoft 365 Family ($99.99 per year) and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate ($14.99 per month). The inclusion of Xbox Game Pass is unusual, as Microsoft now has a PC Game Pass available.
The top of the Go 2 casing is aluminum, and the base is an aluminum and polycarbonate composite resin containing glass fiber and 30% post-consumer recycled content.
As rumored, there are now four color choices, with Sage joining Ice Blue, Platinum, and Sandstone. Microsoft also made it possible for the battery and SSD to be replaced by a professional (meaning Microsoft or a Microsoft Authorized Service Provider). Owners can replace the AB Cover (display), C-Cover (keyset and trackpad), feet, and Surflink cable themselves, with parts probably offered via iFixit.
The Surface Laptop Go 2 is available to pre-order today either direct from Microsoft or via Best Buy, with the base model starting at $599. Orders will ship on June 7, assuming there’s enough stock available to cope with demand. A business edition of the Go 2 is also being offered, with Microsoft providing a list of authorized resellers for commercial customers.
Originally published at https://www.pcmag.com.
