The Microsoft Surface Go is the latest iPad competitor on the market and the tablet-computer combo may just be ready to take on Apple’s dominance with a $399 price tag.
The Surface Go is now available for pre-order and will officially release August 2.
It’s specs include a 10-inch PixelSense display with 1800×1200 resolution and a 3:2 aspect ratio, an Intel Pentium Gold 4415Y processor, 64GB eMMC, 128GB SSD, and 256GB SSD internal storage options, 4GB or 8GB RAM options, ports including Surface Connect, USB-C, MicroSDXC and a headphone jack, and Windows Hello facial recognition.
Several reviews and hands-on pieces hit the web Monday with first impression thoughts on Microsoft’s newest multi-purpose computing product. Here’s what some of the top tech reviewers had to say about the Microsoft Surface Go.
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Analyst, Paul Thurrott noted that Surface Go keyboard may be too small for him to use reliably.
Forbes contributor, Curtis Silver noted that by maintaining a cursor in its interface, Microsoft is aiming to have the Surface Go be a daily driver device as opposed to a consumption focused tablet.
Journalist, Lance Ulanoff noted that the Surface Go may not be appealing without a keyboard, which will be available as a separate accessory.
Mashable’s Ray Wong said its a plus that the Surface Go supports apps open side-by-side despite its small screen size.
Gizmodo’s Alex Cranz said she liked the luxurious looking design of the Surface Go but isn’t a fan of its truncated hardware.
SlashGear’s Chris Burns said he’d prefer a Surface product with a stripped down operating system that includes only the most basic applications and not a host of preview apps and other bloatware.
The Washington Post’s Hayley Tsukayama noted that Microsoft aims to appeal to students and women with the Surface Go, marketing the device as light enough to easily carry around in a purse or backpack.
CNET’s Dan Ackerman noted that Microsoft making all of the accessories for the Surface Go sold separately is what really brings the devices price down.
Engadget’s Devindra Hardawar noted outside of its size and lightweight, the Surface Go is very similar to other Surface products in terms of design.
The Verge’s Tom Warren said Microsoft is taking a risk by mixing a premium design with lower-end specs to keep the price of the Surface Go low. That consumers may purchase for style and later be disappointed by its performance.
TechnoBuffalo’s Justin Herrick noted the software support on the Surface Go, including Windows Hello, PixelSense and Surface Pen compatibility as a plus.
Analyst, Patrick Moorhead is most interested in testing Microsoft Office 365 on the Surface Go.
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman noted Microsoft hopes to stand out in comparison to the low-cost iPad with various professional accessory compatibility.
PC World’s Michael Simon called the Surface Go “a real competitor” due to its support of full software programs as opposed to truncated mobile version apps on a device that isn’t a phone, as well as other support such as 4K monitor connectivity.
Apple Insider’s Mike Wuerthele said is not an “iPad Killer” due to its low-end specs, having only Wi-Fi models available at launch and its price being higher an Apple’s cheapest iPad.
Forrester analyst, J.P. Gownder told CNN Tech’s Kaya Yurieff that Microsoft may continue to struggle as consumers are just used to iOS and Android as tablet software.
