On top of that, the built-in far-field microphones ensure you are clearly audible to others on calls or when you’re recording. They can produce crisp results and on video calls, handle contrast and dynamic range that is better than on most notebooks.

The Surface Go 2’s 1080p cameras on the front and back were a pleasant surprise and one of the best I’ve used on a laptop. Other than that, the Surface Go 2 has a microSD card slot for storage expansion, a standard audio jack, and a SIM card slot if you opt for the LTE variant. That figure does take a serious hit if you rely on more resource-intensive software, like Google Chrome. On a regular workday that involved several video calls, dozens of browser Microsoft Edge tabs, and a couple of active Windows apps, the Surface Go 2 lasted 7 to 8 hours. The battery life lived up to Microsoft’s claims in my testing. But that means you will end up blocking the only universal port on the Surface Go 2. Fortunately, you can top it up through the USB Type-C slot if you have a laptop-grade charger lying around. You have to make sure that the cable, which latches on magnetically, is properly aligned with the port. I often found that the device did not charge even though it was plugged in.

One of the shortcomings of the Surface Go 2’s design is its proprietary charging port.

It’s flanked by a pair of front-facing stereo speakers that are also excellent and loud enough for me to watch movies on it without reaching for the headphones. Plus, the panel has a 3:2 aspect ratio, which is ideal if you spend a lot of time in the browser. It’s vivid, sharp, and bright for outdoor use. The Surface Go 2’s 10.5-inch, 1080p screen is a joy to look at. It just won't be my first choice when writing reports. Thanks to the adjustable kickstand, however, I can usually figure out a sufficiently comfortable position to type in. When it’s sitting on my lap and I rest my hands on the palm rest, it is nearly impossible for me to work without constantly feeling frustrated by the shaky base. The bigger downside is the keyboard’s flex. The glass trackpad, on the other hand (while it is plenty responsive and supports all the Windows gestures), can feel cramped and you probably will end up investing in an external wireless mouse. Speaking of the keyboard, it offers tactile and large keys that didn’t affect my typing pace too much.

Windows 11 surface go 2