Tuesday, December 17, 2024

Microsoft Surface Go 4 Review





The Microsoft Surface Go 4 is a compact and affordable 2-in-1 device, designed to deliver a highly portable computing experience while still offering decent performance for everyday tasks. It is the latest iteration in the Surface Go series, positioned as an entry-level model for users looking for a lightweight, budget-friendly alternative to higher-end Surface tablets like the Surface Pro.


Design and Build

Materials: The Surface Go 4 features a magnesium alloy body, similar to other Surface devices, giving it a premium feel despite its affordable price.

Size and Weight: With its 10.5-inch display, the Surface Go 4 is ultra-portable and lightweight. It weighs just 544g (1.2 lbs), making it easy to carry around in a backpack or handbag.

Colors: Available in Platinum and Ice Blue finishes, the device has a sleek and professional appearance.

Kickstand: The device includes the signature kickstand found in Surface products, allowing for flexible positioning when used on a table or lap.

Keyboard and Pen: The Surface Type Cover keyboard (sold separately) attaches magnetically and provides a comfortable typing experience. The Surface Pen is also supported, offering pressure sensitivity for writing or drawing.

Display


Size and Type: The 10.5-inch PixelSense display comes with a 1920 x 1280 resolution and a 3:2 aspect ratio, providing clear and vibrant visuals. While it’s not as large or high-resolution as the Surface Pro 8, it is still sharp and sufficient for general tasks like web browsing, streaming, and reading.

Touch and Pen Input: The touchscreen is responsive, supporting multi-touch gestures and stylus input with the Surface Pen (sold separately). While the display quality isn’t at the level of premium models, it’s still very good for its price range.


Performance


Chipset: The Surface Go 4 comes with Intel Pentium Gold or Intel Core i3 processors (depending on the configuration), making it more suitable for everyday tasks like browsing, email, light office work, and media consumption. It won’t handle intensive workloads like video editing or heavy multitasking, but it’s ideal for basic use.


RAM and Storage:


The RAM options are either 4GB or 8GB of LPDDR4x, with the 8GB option offering better multitasking performance.

Storage options include 64GB eMMC or 128GB SSD, giving you solid performance in terms of boot times and application loading. The SSD version is faster and more reliable than the eMMC option.

Graphics: Integrated Intel UHD Graphics 600 is capable of handling light graphics tasks, such as watching HD videos, light photo editing, and casual gaming. However, for more demanding graphic tasks, it’s limited.


Battery Life

Battery: The Surface Go 4 has a 27Wh battery and can last up to 8-10 hours depending on usage. For tasks like web browsing, watching videos, and working on documents, it should last a full day. However, performance-heavy tasks or continuous video streaming will drain the battery faster.

Charging: It supports USB-C charging, which is convenient for users with modern USB-C devices. It also charges via the Surface Connect port, though the charging speed may be slower than through USB-C.

Cameras


Rear Camera: The Surface Go 4 features an 8MP rear camera capable of recording 1080p video. While it is not intended for professional photography, it is suitable for document scanning and casual photos.

Front Camera: The 5MP front camera supports 1080p video and features Windows Hello facial recognition for fast and secure logins, as well as clear video calls for virtual meetings or chats.

Connectivity and Ports


USB-C: The Surface Go 4 includes one USB-C 3.2 port for faster data transfer and connectivity with accessories like external drives or displays. There is no USB-A port, which might be an issue for users with older peripherals.

Surface Connect: It also has a Surface Connect port for charging and docking accessories.

MicroSDXC Card Reader: For expanding storage with external memory cards.

Wi-Fi 6: Ensures faster and more stable internet connections.

Bluetooth 5.1: For connecting to wireless devices such as headphones, speakers, and peripherals.


Software and Features


Windows 11: The Surface Go 4 runs on Windows 11, offering the full desktop experience, including multitasking, support for Windows applications, and access to the Microsoft Store for apps. It’s great for light productivity tasks such as word processing, web browsing, and email.

Surface Features: It supports features like Windows Hello facial recognition for secure login and integration with OneDrive for cloud storage, making it convenient for users who work across multiple devices.

Surface Pen and Touch: The device is compatible with the Surface Pen, which makes it a good option for digital note-taking, sketching, and annotating documents. The pen is sold separately.


Pros


Affordable Price: The Surface Go 4 offers a premium 2-in-1 experience at a much lower price than the Surface Pro models, making it a great option for budget-conscious users.

Portability: The 10.5-inch display and lightweight design make it very portable, ideal for students or professionals who need a device on the go.

Solid Battery Life: The battery life is sufficient for day-to-day tasks, offering up to 8-10 hours on a single charge.

Windows 11: It provides the full Windows experience, allowing users to run desktop applications and multitask effectively.

Versatility: The Surface Go 4 is a true 2-in-1 device, offering tablet-like portability with the option to attach a keyboard (sold separately) for laptop-like productivity.

Cons


Limited Performance: The Intel Pentium or i3 processors are suitable for light tasks but struggle with multitasking or demanding applications such as video editing or 3D rendering.

Storage Options: The base model with eMMC storage is slower compared to models with SSD, and the limited storage can fill up quickly with large files.

Keyboard and Pen Sold Separately: The Surface Type Cover and Surface Pen are not included in the price, which increases the overall cost of the device if you need them.

No USB-A Ports: The absence of USB-A ports may be inconvenient for users with older peripherals that rely on this connection type.

No LTE/5G Option: Unlike other 2-in-1 devices, the Surface Go 4 lacks an LTE or 5G variant for users who need constant mobile connectivity.

Price and Availability


The Surface Go 4 starts at around $399 for the base model with an Intel Pentium processor, 4GB RAM, and 64GB eMMC storage. Prices increase depending on the configuration, with the Intel Core i3 model and 128GB SSD costing more. The Surface Type Cover and Surface Pen are sold separately.


Conclusion


The Microsoft Surface Go 4 is a great option for users who need a highly portable, affordable device for light tasks like web browsing, media consumption, and basic productivity. While its performance is limited by the Intel Pentium or i3 processors, it provides good value for the price, especially when paired with the keyboard and pen. If you’re looking for a small, versatile device for everyday use and don’t need heavy processing power, the Surface Go 4 is an excellent choice in the entry-level 2-in-1 tablet market. However, for more demanding work, you might want to consider a higher-end Surface Pro model.


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