Microsoft Surface Go 10.5" 2 Platinum 2020

The Microsoft Surface Go 2 is a tiny, lightweight Windows tablet that's perfect as a secondary device for basic tasks and media streaming. Performance from the Core m3 is snappy enough for everyday use, but the dim screen and inconsistent refurbished battery life are major drawbacks. At the low end of its $165 to $540 price range, it's a killer value for anyone who needs full Windows in an ultra-portable package.

With the Core m3-8100Y and 8GB of RAM, the Surface Go 2 handles everyday tasks without much fuss. Loading Windows, launching Edge, and jumping between a few Office docs feels snappy, and several owners specifically call out the fast OS loading and flawless operation. In our database, the CPU lands in the 76th percentile for its class, which is solid for a fanless tablet. The integrated graphics are about average, sitting in the 74th percentile. You can forget about gaming or video editing, but for streaming video, the performance is more than adequate. Multiple users praise the video and audio quality, which makes this a nice little Netflix machine for the kitchen or a kid's room.

The 128GB SSD is middle of the pack, ranking in the 67th percentile. It's not blazing fast, but it's a real SSD, not slow eMMC storage, so boot times and app launches feel responsive. The 8GB of RAM is also about average for this category. Where things get dicey is the battery. It ranks in the 32nd percentile, which is pretty underwhelming. And that's for a new unit. The refurbished models often come with heavily degraded batteries, with one buyer reporting a unit with 566 cycles and only 67% capacity left. If you're buying refurbished, you should basically assume the battery life will be rough and plan to stay near a charger.

The Surface Go 2's biggest rival is the Apple iPad Air M3. The iPad has a vastly superior screen, a processor that runs literal circles around the m3, and battery life that lasts all day. But it runs iPadOS, so you're stuck with mobile apps and Apple's file management. If you need a specific Windows program, the Surface wins by default. The Lenovo Idea Tab Pro and Xiaomi Pad 7 are also strong Android alternatives with gorgeous displays and better performance for media consumption, but they share the same software limitations as the iPad.

On the Windows side, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE+ is a more modern competitor with a better screen and included S Pen, but it's often pricier. The Vekfulpc T60 Pro is a wildcard budget option that tries to undercut the Surface on price, but its build quality and support are a big question mark. If you absolutely need Windows in a tiny, lightweight package and you're on a tight budget, the Surface Go 2 is still the most refined option in its class, even if it's showing its age.

Pricing on the Surface Go 2 is all over the map, with vendors listing it from $165 up to $540. At the low end, if you can find a clean refurb with a healthy battery, it's a fantastic value for a secondary Windows machine. At the high end, you're flirting with the price of a base model iPad or a much more powerful used laptop, and the value proposition falls apart fast. The sweet spot is clearly in the sub-$300 range. If you're shopping around, Newegg currently has the best advertised deal for a refurb with LTE, which adds a nice layer of connectivity for on-the-go use. Just factor in the cost of a Type Cover keyboard if you plan to do any real typing, because the on-screen keyboard alone won't cut it for long emails.

The Microsoft Surface Go 2 sits in a weird, wonderful little niche. It's a 10.5-inch Windows tablet that weighs just over a pound, making it one of the most portable full-Windows machines you can buy. This particular config packs an Intel Core m3-8100Y, 8GB of RAM, and a 128GB SSD, and it's often found refurbished for anywhere between $165 and $540. If you're hunting for a cheap, ultra-portable device for note-taking, light Office work, or media streaming, this thing is probably on your radar. And honestly, for the right person, it's still a clever little machine.

But let's be real about what you're getting. This isn't a performance powerhouse. The dual-core m3 chip is fine for basic tasks, but it'll choke if you throw heavy multitasking or creative software at it. The 10.5-inch 1920x1280 display is sharp enough, but at 150 nits, it's pretty dim. You won't want to use this outside on a sunny day. The real draw here is the form factor and the fact that it runs full Windows, not a mobile OS. That means you can install proper desktop apps, which is something an iPad just can't do.

Most of these units are hitting the market as refurbished devices, and that's where the story gets interesting. You can snag one for a steal, but the refurbishment quality is a total dice roll. Some buyers report getting a unit that looks and runs like new, complete with a fresh power supply. Others get a tablet with a scratched-up screen and a battery that's already down to 67% of its original capacity. If you're willing to play the refurb lottery, the value can be incredible. Just keep your expectations in check.

Skip the Surface Go 2 if you need a primary laptop for all-day work. The cramped keyboard, dim screen, and weak processor will frustrate you quickly. It's also a bad choice if you do any photo or video editing, or if you want a tablet primarily for media consumption on the go. An iPad Air M3 or a Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE+ will give you a much better screen and battery life for streaming and casual use. And if you're not comfortable with the risk of receiving a scratched-up unit with a worn-out battery, avoid the refurbished models entirely and look for a new budget Windows laptop instead.

Should you buy a Surface Go 2? If you need a dirt-cheap, featherweight Windows tablet for basic tasks and you're okay with the refurb lottery, then yes, it's a solid little machine. It's perfect as a secondary device for travel, a note-taking companion for students, or a first laptop for a kid who just needs a web browser and Office. The ability to run full desktop apps in a 553g package is still its killer feature, and nothing else at this price point does that as well.

But if you don't specifically need Windows, you should probably skip it. An iPad or a good Android tablet will give you a much better screen, longer battery life, and a smoother overall experience for media and casual use. And if you need a primary laptop, this ain't it. The cramped keyboard, dim screen, and weak processor will drive you nuts if you try to use it for eight hours a day. Know what you're getting into, and you'll be happy. Expect it to replace a real laptop, and you'll be disappointed.