Trending December 2023 # Surface, The Windows 8 Tablet From Microsoft Unveiled: Specs, Images And Video # Suggested January 2024 # Top 18 Popular

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Microsoft has just unveiled their “major announcement” that has been around the web since last week, and YES! The rumors are true, say hello to “Surface”, the Windows 8 tablet from Microsoft. The new device was unveiled today at a press event in Los Angeles. And it is pretty sweet, with a magnetic smart cover that underneath features a very slim keyboard which comes in many colors, built-in kickstand, and a case made of Vapor-deposited magnesium a.k.a VaporMg with really nice curved edges.

The software giant is not re-inventing the tablet here, but they are setting a standard in quality, so other companies can build products that are similar or better — and of course they are going after the competition too.

“Surface is designed to seamlessly transition between consumption and creation, without compromise. It delivers the power of amazing software with Windows and the feel of premium hardware in one exciting experience.” — The company said.

Surface hardware specs

This new Microsoft tablet comes in two versions: Windows RT and the Windows 8 Pro, they both have a slightly different hardware configuration, size and thickness.

ModelSurface with Windows RTSurface with Windows 8 Pro

Operating SystemWindows RTWindows 8 Pro

SoftwareSurface with Windows RT comes with Microsoft Home and Student 2013 RT Preview (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and OneNote).Runs current Windows 7 desktop applications and integrates with your existing enterprise management infrastructure.

ButtonsVolume and PowerVolume and Power

ColorDark TitaniumDark Titanium

Weight676g (1.5lbs)903g (Less than 2lbs)

Thin9.3mm13.5mm

Aspect Ration16:916:9

Resolution1366x768 pixels1920x1080 pixels

Clear10.6″ ClearType HD Display10.6″ ClearType Full HD Display

Pen InputCapacitive pens available for purchasePen input and pen (included with purchase)

Multi-Touch5-point multi-touch10-point multi-touch

RAM2GB4GB

CPU1.3 GHz NVIDIA Tegra 3 (ARM)1.7GHz 3rd Gen Intel Core i5-3317U Processor with Intel HD Graphics 4000

WirelessWi-Fi (802.11a/b/g/n)Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g/n)

Battery31.5W-h42W-h

AudioTwo microphones and stereo speakersTwo microphones and stereo speakers

CamerasTwo 720p HD cameras, front and rear-facingTwo 720p HD cameras, front and rear-facing

Device Angled22°26°

Power Supply24W power-supply48W power-supply (including 5W USB for accessory charging)

SensorsAmbient light sensor, accelerometer, gyroscope, compassAmbient light sensor, accelerometer, gyroscope, compass

ProductivityOffice Home & Student 2013 RT, Touch Cover, Type CoverTouch Cover, Type Cover, Pent with Palm Block

PracticalVaporMg Case & kickstandVaporMg Case & kickstand

Warranty2-years limited hardware warranty2-years limited hardware warranty

Apps (included)Microsoft Office Home and Student 2013 RT Preview (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, OneNote); Windows Mail and Messaging, SkyDrive; Internet Explorer 10; Bing; Xbox Music; Video, and Games.Windows Mail and Messaging; SkyDrive; Internet Explorer 10; Bing; Xbox Music; Video, and Games.

Storage32 GB, 64 GB64 GB, 128 GB

SecurityDevice encryption and comes with Windows Defender.Provides enhanced networking and IT management. BitLocker drive encryption, use Remote Desktop, Active Directory, and Client Hyper-V. Compatible with third party applications.

ConnectivityAlways connected, even when in standby mode. Connected standby keeps apps up-to-date.Connectivity off when hibernating/sleeping to preserve battery.

ChargeEnjoy up to 8 hours of battery life.Enjoy up to 5 hours of battery life.

$999 for the 128GB version

Price is set to be announced, but the company is saying that will be competitive with Ultrabooks and ARM tablets prices. And release date is also unclear, but you can expect this interesting device by the holiday season, which is when the final version of Windows 8 should be available to chúng tôi is worth noting that the Windows RT device will be featuring Nvidia Tegra chipset — with ARM processor architecture–, while the Windows 8 Pro version will be powered by Intel’s 3rd generation 22nm Ivy Bridge chips.

Microsoft Surface image tour

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Nokia 8 Sirocco Full Specs, Features, Expected Price And Faq

Nokia 8 Sirocco Full Specifications

Key Specifications Nokia 8 Sirocco

Display

5.5-inch pOLED

Screen Resolution

Quad HD

Operating System

Android 8.1 Oreo

Processor

Octa-Core

Chipset

Snapdragon 835

GPU

Adreno 540

RAM

6GB

Internal Storage

128GB

Expandable Storage

256GB

Primary Camera

12MP (f/1.75) Wide Angle + 13MP ((f/2.6) telephoto

Secondary Camera

5MP (f/2.0)

Video Recording

Yes

Battery

3,260 mAh

4G VoLTE

Yes

Sim Card Type

Dual SIM

Dimensions

140.93 x 72.97 x 7.5mm

Weight

Price

Rs. 59,500 (749 Euros)

Nokia 8 Sirocco Physical Overview

Starting with the front, there is a beautiful display on the Nokia 8 Sirocco. It is a Quad HD pOLED panel with no side bezels and minimal bezels on the top and bottom. While the device misses out on an 18:9 aspect ratio, it still looks sleek and fits well in hand. The earpiece and front-facing camera sit on top of the display.

Coming to the back, you will see the sturdy stainless steel frame and glass back that allows wireless charging. The Dual cameras are placed at the top centre in a vertical alignment, with the fingerprint sensor placed below the camera lenses. The LED flash sits to the right of the camera module with ‘Nokia‘ branding at the bottom centre.

The volume rockers and lock button sit at the right side of the device and blend well with the overall looks. The USB Type-C port is at the bottom along with the speaker. There is no 3.5mm earphone jack on the Nokia 8 Sirocco.

Nokia 8 Sirocco – Unique Selling Points Premium Build

The first thing that the Nokia 8 Sirocco stands for is the premium build from the old Nokia Sirocco device. The phone comes with a Stainless Steel frame which is much more durable compared to aluminium frames. It is not just sturdy but functional as well.

Talking about the build here, we can also point at the 7.5mm thickness which gets a 3D glass and volume rockers fitting elegantly in it. This chassis also allows for Qi wireless charging which means you can wireless charge the Nokia 8 Sirocco.

Stock Android User Interface

So far, Nokia devices have been among the fastest ones to get the monthly security patch and regular Android updates with the last year flagship already running Android 8.1 Oreo. So for us, the neat Android experience is a big deal on the new Nokia flagship.

Dual Camera with Nokia Pro camera app

The Nokia 8 Sirocco also comes with a dual camera setup with Carl Zeiss lens and a brand new and powerful Nokia Pro camera app, offering users a lot more control over images and videos shot with the phone.

Nokia 8 Sirocco FAQ

Answer: The Nokia 8 Sirocco comes with a 5.5-inch pOLED display with Quad HD resolution and 3D curved glass. The phone comes with a traditional 16:9 aspect ratio display, protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 5.

Question: What are the camera specs and special camera features?

Answer: The Nokia 8 comes with a dual camera setup on the back, assisted by a dual tone dual LED flash. There is a 12MP main camera with a 13MP secondary camera. Special features include a new Nokia Pro camera app and the Bothie feature.

Answer: The phone runs on Android 8.1 Oreo. Additionally, it is also a part of the Android One program, meaning that it will come with fast updates, both regular security updates as well as major new version updates.

Question: Which chipset powers the Nokia 8?

Answer: The phone is powered by a Snapdragon 835 octa-core processor.

Answer: The phone comes with 6GB LPDDR4X RAM and 128GB UFS 2.1 storage.

Question: What is battery capacity on the Nokia 8 Sirocco, does it support fast charging?

Answer: The phone comes with 3,260mAh battery and comes with fast charging and Qi wireless charging support.

Nokia 8 Sirocco – Things We Like

Build Quality

Android 8.0 Oreo

Carl Zeiss Optics

Nokia 8 Sirocco – Things We Dislike

No 18:9 aspect ratio

No Snapdragon 845 Processor

No 3.5mm headphone jack

Conclusion

However, we think that Nokia should have given an 18:9 aspect ratio display to compete with its competitors. Coming to the performance, while the Snapdragon 835 chipset is no longer the latest and greatest flagship, it still packs a punch and HMD Global may be able to deliver optimal performance with the Nokia 8 Sirocco.

How To Check Hardware Specs Of Windows 11 Pc (8 Methods Explained)

While most people today live connected lives with a multitude of electronic gadgets at their disposal, only a few bother to think about the hardware components that go into their smartphones, gaming consoles, or computers. However, it is relatively easy to learn about the specifications of the phones and PCs you use in your digital life. With that said, let us show you how to check the hardware specs and configuration of your Windows 11 PC.

Check Hardware Specs and Configuration of Windows 11 PC (2023)

There are many ways to check the hardware specifications of your Windows 11 PC, and we will detail them all in this article today. You can check the hardware specs of your Windows 11 computer via the Settings app, System Information, DirectX Diagnostic tool, Command Prompt, and a myriad of third-party applications. So let’s get started!

Steps to Check Hardware Specs of Windows 11 PC

As we mentioned above, there are various ways to check the hardware specifications of your Windows 11 computer. We will explain all of them here in this guide, starting with the easiest method – via Windows Settings.

Method 1: Using the Settings App

The easiest way to find information about the hardware on your Windows PC is using the Settings app. Here’s how you do it:

Under the Device specifications section, you can check the key hardware specs for your Windows 11 PC, including the processor, system memory (RAM), architecture (32-bit or 64-bit), and more.

Now, scroll down a bit to the Windows specifications section to check information about your operating system. It includes the edition, version, installation date, OS build , and the service pack (Microsoft calls it Experience).

Method 2: System Information (msinfo32)

Another easy way to check the hardware specs of your Windows 11 PC is through the System Information panel. Here’s how you do it:

Open the Run dialog box by pressing ‘Windows key + R’ simultaneously. Then, type in or copy + paste msinfo32 and hit Enter.

With System Summary selected on the left sidebar, you can check several aspects of your computer’s hardware. It includes the system model and type, processor brand and model, UEFI/ BIOS version, RAM capacity, motherboard brand and model, and also virtualization support, among other things.

Method 3: DirectX Diagnostics (dxdiag)

Windows 11 also includes the DirectX Diagnostic Tool (dxdiag) to view information about DirectX audio and video support. You can also use it to check many system specs. Here’s how:

Open the Run dialog box as described in Method 2. Now, type in dxdiag and hit Enter.

Note: You can also search for ‘dxdiag’ (without quotes) in the Windows search bar to access the feature.

Now, move to the Display tab at the top. Here, under the ‘Device’ section, you can find details about your GPU, including the name and manufacturer, graphics memory, and display details.

Note: You can create a specs report for future reference using the ‘Save All Information’ button at the bottom.

Method 4: Command Prompt

First, open a Command Prompt window in Admin mode. To do that, search for ‘cmd‘ (without quotes) in the Windows search bar and select Run as administrator.

Now, type in or copy + paste systeminfo in the Command Prompt window and hit Enter. You will see detailed hardware and software information about the computer. It includes info on the system architecture, whether it uses BIOS/ UEFI, RAM, network details, and Windows 10 update information.

Method 5: PowerShell

You can also use PowerShell to view the system specifications of your Windows 11 computer. Follow the guide below to do that:

In the PowerShell window, type Get-ComputerInfo and press Enter.

To view details of a specific component, use the following modified command: Get-ComputerInfo -Property "property name*". Replace “property name” with the name of the component you want more information on. For example, to get details about your Windows installation, use the following command: Get-ComputerInfo -Property "windows*"

Note: The asterisk at the end is a wildcard that ensures PowerShell will display every property that starts with ‘Windows’.

Method 6: Device Manager

Alternatively, you can natively view the system specs on your Windows 11 PC through the Device Manager. Here’s how you do that:

Open the Run dialog box as explained earlier in the article. Then, type in devmgmt.msc and hit Enter. The Device Manager window will now open.

Device Manager displays a list of everything that’s built into your PC, either desktop or laptop. Go through each item on the list and check the names and model numbers of the hardware specs in your Windows 11 PC.

Method 7: Third-Party Applications

Alongside the aforementioned native methods, there are also a plethora of third-party applications that offer you information about your system hardware to varying degrees. Some of the oldest and most accurate ones are listed below:

CPU-Z (download)

HWiNFO (download)

AIDA64 (download)

Speccy (download)

Open Hardware Monitor (download)

All of these tools are either free-to-use or shareware, with the last one even being open-source. You can use them to check information about your computer’s hardware. For demo purposes, we are using CPU-Z, which offers detailed information about the computer’s CPU, motherboard, RAM, GPU, etc. Open the program and navigate to the relevant tab to get all the details about that component.

Method 8: Open up Your Computer Case

Most of the hardware parts have at least the basic information printed or inscribed on them. That includes the CPU, GPU, motherboard, RAM, PSU, etc. For custom-built PCs, you can find all the info, although it might be a little more difficult in the case of OEM devices.

Easily Check Your Windows 11 PC Hardware Configuration!

As you can see, checking the full configuration of your PC is relatively easy. The best part is that there are multiple ways of doing that, and we have covered pretty much all in our article today. So now that you know how to view the hardware specs of your Windows 11 PC, check out a few other guides that might be of use for you. That includes how to prevent your PC from overheating, how to improve your Windows laptop’s battery life, and how to change Power Mode settings in Windows 11.

Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 Review: A Low

Pros

Budget-ish price

Fingerprint reader works well

Cons

Performance just doesn’t quite hold up to the competition

Rivals offer more value

Other laptops offer a better screen for the price

Our Verdict

While the original Surface Laptop Go survived among a sea of budget laptops, there are a number of comparably priced laptops that simply offer more value than the Surface Laptop Go 2. Just keep an eye out for price drops that could make a difference.

Best Prices Today: Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2

Microsoft’s Surface Laptop Go 2 laptop tries to convince you that a processor upgrade is enough to sway you over the competition while tweaking the price configurations and adding a new color. And you know what? The jump to an 11th-gen Core chip does matter, especially when you adjust the Windows 11 performance settings.

We’ll introduce you to the best of what the Surface Laptop Go 2 has to offer (an excellent fingerprint reader), but also point out some comparably-priced laptops that may offer more of what you’re looking for. You’ll also want to pay close attention to the real-time pricing. In this market, an expected price cut of just $100 below the list price can make a real difference.

Surface Laptop Go 2: Specs and features

Microsoft’s Surface Laptop Go 2 remains relatively unchanged from its earlier iteration, the original Surface Laptop Go, with all but two major specifications receiving upgrades. The Go 2 now uses Intel’s 11th-gen Core processor inside, though with a single option: the Core i5-1135G7. That’s a generation behind most laptops, which use Intel’s 12th-gen Core chips or rival Ryzen processors from AMD. Microsoft also made a major change in the OS. It now uses Windows 11 Home, which eliminates all of the earlier app configuration issues surrounding the inclusion of Windows 10 in S Mode.

Overall, your Surface Laptop Go 2 options range from between $599 to $799 versus the $549 to $899 range of the earlier model. This doesn’t quite hit the budget price point of competing laptops, but arguably represents something of a price cut, too.

Otherwise, Microsoft has added a new color configuration, Sage. This is in addition to the existing Platinum, Ice Blue, and Sandstone color options. Businesses also have the choice of buying the Surface Laptop Go 2 for Business, which comes pre-loaded with Windows 11 Pro rather than the Windows 11 Home OS that accompanies the consumer models. The Business version can be configured with Windows 10 Pro as well.

Display: 12.45-inch (1536×1024, 148 PPI) 10-point multitouch PixelSense display

Processor: Core i5-1135G7

Graphics: Xe Graphics

Memory:  4GB-8GB LPDDR4x (8GB as tested)

Storage: 128GB-256GB SSD (256GB as tested)

Ports: 1 USB-C, 1 USB-A, Surface Connect, 3.5mm audio jack

Camera: 720p f2.0 (user-facing)

Battery: 39.7Wh (design capacity), 40.7Wh (measured full charge capacity)

Wireless: WiFi 6 (802.11ax), Bluetooth 5.1

Operating system: Windows 11 Home (consumer); Windows 11 Pro/Windows 10 Pro (business)

Dimensions (inches): 10.95 x 8.12 x 0.62 inches

Weight: 2.48 pounds

Chassis: Aluminum, with polycarbonate resin (30 percent post-consumer recycled content)

Colors: Ice Blue, Sandstone, Platinum, Sage

Price: Beginning at $599 ($799 as tested)

Mark Hachman / IDG

Surface Laptop Go 2: Build quality and ports

The Surface Laptop Go 2 is essentially a refresh of the original Surface Laptop Go and we’d encourage you to re-read our original Surface Laptop Go review for additional detail. We’ll recap the important points here, but the most significant differences are in performance, which we summarize in the sections below.

Microsoft designed the Surface Laptop Go 2 as its answer to a Chromebook, a (relatively) inexpensive, compact clamshell laptop. In the past, the Surface Laptop Go was a showcase for Windows 11 in S Mode, a restricted version of the operating system that limited users to downloading pre-approved apps from the Microsoft Store. Microsoft hasn’t said why it made the change, but it offers the freedom to download whatever app you’d like without the need to switch out from Windows 11 in S Mode, as the laptop ships with Windows 11 Home instead.

Physically, the Surface Laptop Go 2 is a compact, lightweight laptop whose display folds back to about 45 degrees. Inside the box, Microsoft includes a 39W charger that powers the laptop via the Surface Connect connector on the right-hand side of the display. Alternatively, you’ll be able to charge the laptop via the USB-C port, provided you have a third-party USB charger that supplies enough power. Typing on the Surface Laptop Go 2 may look like it may be a bit cramped, given the smaller keyboard deck. However, Microsoft shaves off just half an inch of keyboard space compared to, say, the Surface Laptop Studio. It’s just fine.

A trio of a USB-A port, a 10Gbps USB-C port and a headphone jack adorn the left side of the Surface Laptop Go 2.

Mark Hachman / IDG

As we noted in our review of the Surface Laptop Go, the smaller dimensions also benefit the display. Though the 12.45-inch (148 PPI) display doesn’t quite reach the pixel density of a 1080p screen, the smaller display doesn’t negatively impact the smaller pixel count by that much. Images will still look a little grainy in places, and you’ll notice some text that isn’t as sharp as you’d expect on the laptop’s screen. But there’s also nothing stopping you from connecting it to an external, higher-resolution display as well. The purist in us wanted to reject its 1024p display from the get-go, but practically it really doesn’t matter. On the other hand, it’s a little weird that it has far less screen resolution than Microsoft’s $629.99 Surface Go 3 tablet.

On the left-hand side of the laptop you’ll find a conventional USB-A port, a USB-C port, and headphone jack, suitable for connecting both modern and legacy devices. On the right-hand side Microsoft includes the Surface Connect port, which has begun phasing out in its more expensive Surface devices. The Surface Connect allows you to expand the Surface Laptop Go 2’s I/O capabilities via the Surface Dock, including displays. In any event, the Surface Laptop Go 2 will support up to one additional 4K display and one 1080p display (or two 1080p displays), both at 60Hz. That’s probably perfectly fine for a budget laptop.

On the right-hand side of the Surface Laptop Go 2 is the Surface Connect port, which by default is used for charging.

Mark Hachman / IDG

The Surface Laptop Go 2 is not fanless. It appears to vent air in and out via the hinge. The default Windows 11 setting for power/performance is its lowest setting, when the fan will occasionally kick under a load. This usually doesn’t happen during Web browsing or office work, however. You can turn up the performance via the Windows 11 settings, where it will make a small difference (more on that in our performance section). While you’re almost sure to experience fan noise, it shouldn’t be an annoyance.

We’ll refer you to our original Surface Laptop Go review for more details on the sub-1080p display. The short answer is that no, the lower pixel density doesn’t seem to matter, though it is noticeable in certain cases. While that display was rated at about 330 nits of luminance, we measured the Surface Laptop Go 2’s display producing 358 nits of luminance. While it’s not really bright enough to work outside in direct sunlight, it should be fine for even well-lit rooms. The color gamut, however, is pretty poor. It’s 96 percent of the sRGB color gamut, but only 71 percent of AdobeRGB. This is not a creator’s laptop.

The new Sage color is subtle, and a little hard to capture via a camera. Otherwise, this Surface Laptop Go 2 keyboard doesn’t hold any surprises. The combination power button/fingerprint reader illuminates when the laptop is on but you haven’t logged in.

Mark Hachman / IDG

Surface keyboards have traditionally been among the best in the industry, though they’ve declined a bit in recent years. The Surface Laptop Go 2 keyboard remains, as far as we can tell, unchanged from the Surface Laptop Go keyboard, with 1.3mm of key travel. That’s pretty comfortable in my book, with a keyboard deck that fills almost all of the width of the keyboard. Unfortunately, Microsoft chose to exclude keyboard backlighting on both generations of the Surface Laptop Go.

The Surface Laptop Go 2’s fingerprint reader is both dependable and convenient, but you’ll need to spend some time training it. It’s worth occasionally swiping it with a cloth to keep it free from gunk, too.

Mark Hachman / IDG

You’ll probably like the fingerprint reader that’s nestled under the power button. Windows asks you to extensively train it, resting and removing your finger many times before it’s satisfied, at various angles. This pays off; the Surface Laptop Go 2’s fingerprint reader was quick and responsive, and can log you in and power up the PC in one tap. And yes, a fingerprint reader doesn’t care whether you’re wearing a protective mask in a public place, either.

The Surface Laptop Go 2 contains a pair of upward-facing Omnisonic speakers, enhanced with Dolby Atmos. The audio is fairly middling. It’s nothing to complain about (where flat laptop audio is concerned), but nothing to write home about either. There are still better laptops where audio is concerned. HP’s use of its B&O speakers can provide decent sound on their budget laptops and Dell’s Latitude 9510 and recent XPS notebooks provide undeniably richer, fuller sound.

Microsoft chose a standard 720p user-facing camera instead of a 1080p webcam for the Surface Laptop Go 2, which is in line with the competition, both budget laptops as well as more expensive competitors. Like its predecessor, the resulting image is somewhat soft, though with good color balance and exposure. A pair of far-field mics will help with Zoom and Teams calls, though they didn’t sound any worse or better than other devices when checked with Windows’ Voice Recorder app.

The Surface Laptop Go 2’s camera doesn’t go above 720p, producing camera/video that’s soft but with good color balance.

Mark Hachman / IDG

The Surface Laptop Go 2 doesn’t seem to ship with bloatware, although this is somewhat configurable: during the setup process, Windows 11 will ask whether you want your laptop set up for gaming, productivity, a family environment, or some combination of the various choices. In general, it’s a relatively optimized machine.

Surface Laptop Go 2 performance

The processor upgrade adds a bit to the overall performance of the Surface Laptop Go 2, though it’s important to note that Microsoft released the Surface Laptop Go 2 (with an 11th-gen Core chip inside) during the period in which more and more laptops are shipping with a 12th-gen “Alder Lake” Core chip or AMD’s Ryzen equivalent. On the other hand, performance shouldn’t be your first priority with the Surface Laptop Go 2.

Real-world tests with the Surface Laptop Go 2 reinforced our impressions of its predecessor. Opt for 8GB of RAM and you should be fine. The laptop surfed the web using Microsoft Edge acceptably, and played back 4K video using streaming services just fine. That’s a bit of a misnomer, of course, since a 4K60 YouTube video was actually delivered to the laptop using sub-1080p resolution after the laptop’s capabilities were detected. With that said, it still performed nearly perfectly, dropping just 3 frames in a 10,000-frame test loop.

Naturally, this isn’t a gaming laptop, though you can certainly try out Game Pass Ultimate’s cloud gaming feature. We used an older Xbox 360 controller, connected via USB, and received what we would expect of a streamed cloud game. Our 3DMark benchmark below indicates that the Surface Laptop Go 2 really isn’t a gaming PC, otherwise.

We’ve compared the $799 Surface Laptop Go 2 to other budget PCs we’ve recently tested: the $860 Acer Swift 3 (SF316-51), the $849 Dell Inspiron 14 2-in-1, the $499 Acer Aspire 5, and the $1,000 Acer Swift X, which adds a discrete GPU for extra gaming oomph. We’ve also included the comparably priced $750 HP Pavilion Aero 13, the $799-$899 Acer Aspire Vero, and two Microsoft Surface devices, the Surface Laptop 4 (Ryzen) and the original Surface Laptop Go.

We use four standard tests: UL’s PCMark 10 and 3DMark to measure general office usage and 3D gameplay plus Cinebench R15 and the Handbrake video conversion tool.

PCMark 10 provides a bloc of tests, from Web browsing to office work, as well as light gaming and even some CAD work. It’s a good overall tool to test performance and the Surface Laptop Go 2 performs fairly well. This is a good test to determine simply how well the Surface Laptop Go 2 will perform on average.

In general, an 11th-gen Core i5 doesn’t really hold up to higher-end Core i7 processors and especially the latest Ryzen processors from AMD.

Mark Hachman / IDG

For a more prolonged test, we use Handbrake, a video conversion tool that transcodes video into other formats. Here, we take a Hollywood-quality video and transcode it into a length and format suitable for a tablet. While it simulates a real-world task, it also measures how well the laptop keeps itself cool under a heavy load. A thermally well-managed laptop can perform at higher clock speeds for a longer period of time, completing the task quickly.

In most cases, rival laptops would complete this task in half the time of the Surface Laptop Go 2.

Mark Hachman / IDG

We use 3DMark to assess how well the GPU performs. With the move to a “G7” graphics chip, we expect a bump in graphics performance, though nothing close to what a discrete GPU would deliver. The Surface Laptop Go 2 performs adequately for a laptop in its class.

Here we find an interesting result: dialing up the performance in Windows 11 boosts 3D graphics capabilities substantially. Is the Surface Laptop Go 2 a gaming PC? No, though you may be able to play some older, less complex games.

Mark Hachman / IDG

Finally, we loop a 4K video over and over until the battery expires. The Surface Laptop Go 2 has a battery with identical capacity as its predecessor, so we’d expect about the same battery life, with some variation allowed for the new Windows 11 operating system and processor. The Go 2 falls a minute short of nine hours of battery life.

Mark Hachman / IDG

Conclusion

Part of the appeal of the Surface Laptop Go 2 is its price. But a smart buyer should start looking at the tradeoffs. Would paying $200 more for a laptop like the (currently unavailable) Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7 Carbon and its gorgeous 2.8K OLED screen make more sense? For about $950 (at press time), you can buy the Acer Swift X, a full-fledged ultraportable gaming machine. What about the Acer Swift 3 (SF316-51), a perennial contender at the $800-ish range? Even the comparably priced HP Pavilion Aero 13 offers a lot more for the dollar. The competition is intense.

Certain Microsoft Surface devices are simply best in class, justifying their price premium: the Surface Pro 8 tablet, for example. The Surface Laptop Go 2 simply isn’t and budget buyers have to ask harder questions when it comes to paying more. While the Surface Laptop Go 2 is okay for what it offers, its problem is all too common. The competition can offer as much for less.

If You’re Interested In A Microsoft Surface, Now’s The Time To Buy

Set Amazon’s one-day PC sale aside for a moment, and consider: If you’re looking to cash in on a current-generation Surface before the next-gen hardware is announced, now’s the time to buy.

Surface Go: $385 (20% off), today only

Here’s a refresher: the 10-inch Microsoft Surface Go is Microsoft’s smallest Surface, powered by an Intel Pentium Gold (Atom) processor. The Surface Go is the closest thing to what we’d call a true tablet, because the compact 10-inch form factor is comfortable to hold one-handed and use with the included keyboard. Performance suffers somewhat, but if you’re looking for a basic Office/web tablet, the Go suffices. 

Mark Hachman / IDG

The Microsoft Surface Go is on sale for $385.63 at Amazon, 20 percent or $96 off. Amazon lists this as a one-day sale, Thursday only.

Microsoft’s Surface Pro 6 and Surface Laptop 2 did little more than bump up their respective processors to either an 8th-gen Kaby Lake R Core i5 or Core i7, as well as add an attractive black color. (Here’s PCWorld’s Surface Pro 6 review as well as our Surface Laptop 2 review, for reference.) Microsoft’s Surface upgrades might not have been so tempting a year ago, but it’s great news if you’re looking for either a Windows tablet or an all-purpose notebook. 

Surface Laptop, Surface Pro 6: Up to 29% off

The best deal in Amazons’ Surface steals is the $920 Microsoft Surface Laptop 2Remove non-product link (Core i5, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) , which is a whopping 29 percent ($379) off. The 256GB storage option is a superior choice, but if you want to save some money the $798.80 Surface Laptop 2 (Core i5, 8GB, 128GB)Remove non-product link is an option, too. A $1,269 Core i7 Surface Laptop 2 (Core i7, 8GB, 128)Remove non-product link is also an option, though you probably won’t need the power of a Core i7. (Microsoft isn’t offering quite the same discounts: Its Core i5/8GB/256GB option is $999.)

Mark Hachman / IDG

It’s worth noting that these are all being sold by a third party, through Amazon—though they’re likely facing the same pressures to unload their inventory as every other vendor is. You also may not have your choice of color, either.

Microsoft’s Surface Book 2: 20% off, top to bottom

Third-party sellers are also trying to unload Microsoft’s flagship Surface Book 2, which hasn’t been upgraded since 2023. Because the Surface Book 2 is so expensive, the discounts are eye-popping; we’d recommend taking a look at the $2,039 13.5-inch Surface Book 2 (Core i7/16GB/512GB)Remove non-product link for $460 or 18 percent off, or the $2,274 15-inch Surface Book 2Remove non-product link (Core i7/16GB/512GB) at $674 off, a 22-percent discount. Again, this isn’t listed as a time-sensitive deal. 

What can we expect in any new Surfaces? It’s a bit more confusing this year than most: Laptop makers can choose from Intel’s Comet Lake and Ice Lake chips, Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8cx, AMD’s Ryzen Mobile, and more. If the Surface Book 2 includes a discrete GPU, Microsoft might select a mobile Nvidia RTX chip—or go with its older hardware. That may mean waiting around to explore your options…but there’s no guarantee that these discounts will live forever, either. 

Surface Phone Coming April 2023, Microsoft Is Still Game

Surface Phone coming April 2023, Microsoft is still game

Microsoft may have met a reasonable amount of success with the launch and rollout of Windows 10 but its experience on the mobile front is less than flattering. Revelations of dismal Lumia sales and the company’s own failure to upgrade existing devices to Windows 10 Mobile served to increase shouts of “Windows Phone is dead”. Although somewhat ambiguous, Microsoft has never said it is quiting the mobile race. Apparently, it is just bidding its time for a 2023 comeback that it plans will carry its mobile business for years to come.

Microsoft is no fool, or at least it isn’t deaf. It is surely and acutely aware of the negative press it has been generating around its smartphone strategy. It seems things have come to a head to the point that Terry Myerson, yes, the same Microsoft exec who stated that mobile isn’t a focus this year, had to send an internal e-mail reaffirming the company’s commitment to mobile. 2023 might not be that year, but Microsoft is committed to “deliver Windows 10 on mobile devices with small screen running ARM processors.” In fact, Microsoft plans on supporting the platform for years to come.

What Microsoft says and what Microsoft does are, of course, two different things and we’ll have to wait for actual action to be able to truly judge Microsoft’s intentions. It seems that it will actually involve 12 months of waiting, perhaps too long for fans and believers hungry for a Windows 10 mobile experience they can finally boast about. According to the latest leaks, Microsoft will be unveiling the much awaited Surface Phone in April next year. Myerson’s email does mention the next generation of products already in the works. Naturally, the Surface Phone has to be one of those.

Despite the high specs and the promise of Continuum, the current Lumia 950 and 950 XL flagships just failed to capture the hearts and wallets of consumers. Apparently, Microsoft was equally not impressed either. It failed to wow the market, especially thanks to it still less than premium design, the same way the Surface tablets did, which are now the gold standard for any Microsoft mobile innovation. Apparently, the reason Microsoft is taking so long to put out a real smartphone contender is because it is still waiting on the Windows 10 Redstone 2, and 3, releases. Redstone 1, formally named the Anniversary Update, is due in Summer and focuses more on the desktop, with a few mobile treats as well. Redstone 2 and 3, on the other hand, will put the focus more on mobile, or at least sources say.

How that translates into practice, we still have to see. Aside from Continuum, Microsoft has not yet made any big splash about the mobile version of Windows 10, something it has to do soon if it wants both users and even its own OEM partners to take it seriously. Running win32 apps seems to be a crowd favorite but is easier said than done. While it is easy to believe Microsoft is indeed committed to Windows 10 Mobile in the years to come, it will need to put those words into action, and into concrete products, before time runs out.

VIA: Windows Central

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