Microsoft Surface Go (Intel Pentium Gold, 4GB RAM, 64GB)

EDIT, 8/18/18 - So it's been almost a week since I've had my Surface Go. I still love it, but I'm beginning to see the limitations of this device. The limitations are due to Windows 10, not the hardware itself. And I feel that these limitations are very slight--slight enough for me to keep the rating at 5 stars. I feel that these tiny issues are ones that can be adjusted or fixed with software updates, and that's fine with me. The device is still great as-is, but Windows 10 needs little tweaks to make the device better--that's all I'm saying.Personally, I think the issue here is that Windows 10 isn't built for mobile devices. It's still for devices that are meant to sit on a desk or table and aren't nearly as portable--like PCs. The Surface Go is great because it's so portable, but it can be better. For that to happen, Microsoft needs to tailor Windows 10 to make mobile devices like the Surface Go function like a mobile device should. For instance, as it stands right now, I can't listen to music or podcasts with the screen off. I can do that with my iPhone or iPad. But I have to babysit the Surface Go, just like I have to babysit my PC at home. I have to be sitting around, making sure the Surface Go remains awake. Sure, I could mess with power management settings, but why should I have to do that? The competition doesn't require me to do that. Microsoft needs to match that.Many mobile devices have widgets or other controls that can be accessed without unlocking the device. I feel that Microsoft has to match this, too, with Windows 10. It also needs widgets that can be accessed without having to unlock the device. Just very basic controls--turn wifi on or off (for real, not this garbage with Apple disconnecting from wifi for a day), and basic audio controls.Finally: Windows apps should be optimized so that a user can get away with using programs without a stylus or keyboard of some kind. Along with the Surface Go, I have an Ockel Sirius A that I got through an Indiegogo campaign earlier this year--that device has a screen that's about the same size as your average phablet, and it runs on Windows 10. A stylus, mouse or trackpad is definitely needed if you want to get work done on it, even if you plug a lager monitor into the Sirius A. I understand that--Windows 10 just isn't built for a screen that small. But I don't think there's any excuse for a device like the Surface Go that has a screen that's, what...about 10.5"? Like an iPad? And on an iPad, users are expected to be able to use apps on that tablet without needing a stylus or trackpad of some kind. But I can't say the same for the Surface Go. Some of those icons--like taskbar icons, or some of the buttons or drop-down menus I've seen in iTunes, as two examples--are still too small to select them with just a finger. You'd still need a stylus/mouse/trackpad to use the Surface Go as-is. And, sure...of course you can mess around with the display settings on the Surface Go to fix this. But again--why should I have to do that when the competition doesn't require me to do that, and the apps on the competition's devices work just fine without extra hardware of some kind?Overall: Microsoft is getting there when it comes to mobile devices, but it also still has a ways to go to keep up with the competition.ORIGINAL REVIEW:I just got my Surface Go yesterday, and I have to say—it’s a genuinely nice device to have. I like it a lot.I plan on using the Surface Go as a “workhorse” device. I do a lot of writing and I work with spreadsheets, so that’s mostly what I’ll be doing on the Surface Go. I also have iTunes on it—I’m in the middle of downloading some albums to it right now—and I’m downloading some Netflix shows to watch later. The Surface Go can handle all of this very well—and I plan on keeping it in S mode, just to see how far I can go with this device being this way.Word and Excel docs, along with iTunes and Netflix, is pretty much all that I need a device like the Surface Go to handle. I’ve seen at least one tech reviewer (iJustine?) play Fortnite on her Surface Go review unit, so it’s not impossible to do it. It’s just—playing games is not a priority of mine for a device like this one. I want this device to be the one that I’ll do some actual work on. If I want to do fun stuff, I’ll use my smartphone.Overall: I think the Surface Go is a nice device to have if you want a backup computer—something to do the bare minimum of what you expect your average computer to do. Also, just remember who this device is supposed to be for: students and enterprise. If you’re in a school or business environment, then this’ll be a great device to have.

Why I love this thing, it's because it does way more for me than what tablets promised to do. If you are looking at chromebook type devices, this is a much more versatile device imo. It's a full windows OS so I never need to think "will it run this program that I normally use". It will. I wouldn't recommend it for use over 3+ continuous hours because this is a 10" screen afterall and it will strain your eyes especially if you like smaller fonts. The GO works perfectly for me because from time to time I need to log into work to do work and I don't feel like carrying my laptop with me everywhere in case I need it. GO is much lighter and is perfect for those cases where I need to spend 45 minutes logging into the office to restart a server/service etc. But being a regular laptop it works offline. While you won't be able to do much with mobile apps since windows mobile app is pathetic. But for content consumption like watching movies, you are better off with windows than ios or android because you have access to full VLC, windows media player and all the other wonderful tools that doesn't required a walled off garden and the permission of a giant corporation to be allowed to install it. I don't care if MS likes it if I install something or not because they can't control it. So I no longer have to carry a laptop and a tablet when I travel. This is sufficient.From a practical stand point, think of what you can do with a i3 processor and thats what the surface GO can handle easily. Adobe Premiere seems perfectly fine. I wouldn't try hard core gaming. It's not designed for that kind of stress. Anything else, it will run fine. It won't get hot, no throttling. Don't like that it only have 1 USB C and no USB A. Don't like the idea of dongles on a mobile device. Defeats the purpose. The alcantara keyboard is very responsive but I find that I do make more typing mistakes because of the size. But it's still comfortable enough to write a document without making me Rage. First thing I did was get rid of Windows S (stands for stupid) and go right to Windows 10 Pro. I already have a surface book so I didn't need to buy a pen. For those complaining that this doesn't come with a pen. I personally would have hated a pen to be included because nothing is free and they would have jacked up the price of the base model with a pen. Since I already have a pen why would I buy another one?One nice thing you can do is that win 10 now supports casting from your android and ios devices (latter is more temperamental because well ... Apple). So I can navigate through youTube or kindle on my phone and cast it directly to my Surface GO and get a bigger playback screen. It's basically remote desktop for mobile devices but with view only. Doesn't take a genius to realize that MS is eventually going to make interaction possible ala remote desktop.So for 1-2 hours workload or not knowing when you need to work so you need to carry a laptop with you always, I'm thrilled with this device. I got it during the holidays and deals. Paid $403 for the device with 8gigs ram/ 128gig ssd. $105 for the alcantara keyboard. Another $30 for a 128gig microSD.Biggest gripe is that I wish the bezels were smaller and the screen closer to 11". If they just improve palm rejection there wouldn't be a need for thick bezel. 2nd gripe is the lack of USB A. A minor gripe would be the power supply is not the same as my surface book which has a usb A on it for charging devices. They could have just used the same charger.