Microsoft Surface Go now available to pre-order
There might be interest in a Surface Phone, but for now there's the Surface Go to enjoy. Revealed late yesterday, the Surface Go is described as Microsoft's "smallest, lightest Surface yet" -- and it's available to pre-order right now.
Unfortunately, there's no discount for jumping on a pre-order, but if you're quick, you should be able to guarantee that you'll get one when it launches on August 2. The tablet will cost you $399, but you'll need to purchase a Signature Type Cover separately if you want to type rather than using the on-screen keyboard, and a Surface Pen if you like the idea of stylus operation.
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While many are saying that the Surface Go is Microsoft's answer to the iPad, it's clear that the company is really trying to continue to bridge the gap between tablets and laptops. The Surface Go is supplied ready to use as a tablet, but the kickstand -- coupled with a keyboard cover, or a third-party keyboard -- allows it to double up as a laptop.
Of course, for under $400, you're not getting a powerhouse tablet/laptop, but the specs are reasonable enough:
| Software | Windows 10 in S mode, Microsoft Office 365 Home 30-day trial |
| Dimensions | 9.65" x 6.90" x 0.33" (245 mm x 175 mm x 8.30 mm) |
| Weight | Starting at 1.15 lbs (522 g), not including Type Cover |
| Storage | eMMC drive: 64GB, Solid-state drive (SSD): 128GB SSD |
| Display | Screen: 10" PixelSense Display, Resolution: 1800 x 1200 (217 PPI) resolution, Aspect ratio: 3:2, Contrast ratio: 1500:1, Touch: 10-point multi-touch, Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Battery life | Up to 9 hours of video playback |
| Processor | Intel Pentium Gold Processor 4415Y |
| Security | TPM 2.0 for enterprise security, Enterprise-grade protection with Windows Hello face sign-in |
| Memory | 4GB or 8GB RAM |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi: IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac compatible, Bluetooth Wireless 4.1 technology |
| Connections | 1 x USB-C, 3.5 mm headphone jack, 1 x Surface Connect port, Surface Type Cover port, microSDXC card reader, Compatible with Surface Dial off-screen interaction |
| Cameras, video, and audio | Windows Hello face authentication camera (front-facing), 5.0MP front-facing camera with 1080p Skype HD video, Single microphone, 2W stereo speakers with Dolby Audio Premium |
| Graphics | Intel HD Graphics 615 |
| Exterior | Casing: Magnesium, Color: Silver, Physical buttons: Volume, Power |
| Sensors | Ambient light sensor, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Magnetometer |
| What's in the box | Surface Go, Power supply, Quick start guide, Safety and warranty documents |
| Warranty | 1-year limited hardware warranty |
| Support | 30-day return policy, 90 days of free technical phone support, 12 months in-store support and technical assistance, 1 free training session to transfer data and optimize performance |
While there's no early-bird discount available on pre-orders, Microsoft is offering "special pricing" for eligible students, parents, teachers, and military, bringing the price down to $379.05
If you want to get yourself a new Microsoft tablet, head over to the Surface Go pre-order page.