14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft has launched the new Surface Laptop Go without much fanfare, not because the company isn’t excited about the device, but due to the global health issue that doesn’t allow the software giant to organize an event where it can properly brag about hardware efforts.
The Surface Laptop Go has a pretty clear objective: it goes after customers aiming for a premium built quality and features that are typical to a Surface model, all without having to pay a small fortune for the whole package.
“As we continue to expand our Surface family of devices with the new Surface Laptop Go and updates to Surface Pro X, our goal is to design a Surface for every person, work style and location. To give every person in your household or organization a laptop that’s not just something you need to use, but something you want to use. With Surface Laptop Go we are bringing the features most loved by our Surface Laptop customers to a smaller, more affordable design,” Microsoft explained.
The Surface Laptop Go is available from $549.99, so theoretically, it’s not Microsoft’s most affordable Surface model. The Surface Go continues to be the cheapest device in the Surface lineup, but judging from the specs, the Laptop Go comes with much better performance for a small price increase.
First and foremost, Microsoft makes it pretty easy to choose a Surface Laptop Go configuration, simply because there are three different versions that you can choose from, as it follows:
- Intel Core i5 with 4GB RAM and 64GB storage
- Intel Core i5 with 8GB RAM and 128GB storage
- Intel Core i5 with 8GB RAM and 256GB storage
There are three colors available right now:
- Platinum (offered for all configurations)
- Ice Blue (offered for 8GB RAM versions)
- Sandstone (offered for 8GB RAM versions)
And that’s pretty much it. The cheapest Surface Laptop Go thus comes with just 4GB RAM and 64GB eMMC storage at $549.99, while the most expensive starts at $899.99 and comes with 8GB RAM and 256GB SSD storage.
If you want to get the most expensive package, however, you can also buy a series of extras with your Surface Laptop Go.
For example, the laptop can also be ordered one of several Microsoft Office 365 packages, the top of which is the Family subscription available for 15 months and offered for $99.99
Next, you can also choose a Microsoft Complete Protection Plan, which covers you in case of accidents and guarantees repairs and software and hardware support. The most expensive option is the Microsoft Complete for Surface Laptop Go with Accidental Damage Coverage for four years, and it is available for $239.
In the end, the top Microsoft Surface Laptop Go can end up costing no less than $1,238, which isn’t necessarily affordable but at least you get the full package.
“All configurations of Surface Laptop Go feel snappy and fast, even at the entry level, taking full advantage of cloud connected experiences like Microsoft 365 and online storage. For families, students and businesses looking for a new device to add to their households or organizations, Surface Laptop Go offers a premium Surface look and feel at an amazing value,” Microsoft says.
The Surface Laptop Go is already available for pre-order today, and the company will start shipping the device to U.S. buyers on October 13. It remains to be seen if this is going to be a successful Microsoft product, but it’s pretty clear that typical Chromebook buyers have yet another reason to reconsider their choices when looking for a new laptop.