Microsoft unveils lightweight and portable Surface Go

Microsoft has unveiled its smallest and lightest Surface device, which is designed to be carried and used anywhere.

The two-in-one Surface Go has a 10-inch screen, is 8.3mm thin and weighs just 1.15 pounds. It also boasts nine hours of battery life, is able to run Office apps and is priced from just £379.99.

The new addition to the popular range was announced by Chief Product Officer Panos Panay on Monday night.

“Many of us play different roles throughout the day, moving from work or school to home and everywhere in between. Our products don’t do just one thing because people don’t do just one thing,” he wrote in a blog post. “Since my two youngest daughters have started using Surface Go, I see them watching movies, reading and drawing on it every day. It’s the perfect device for them. And for me, whether I’m at home, in the office, or on a plane, putting my Surface Pen on the screen and letting my thoughts flow is a necessary step in my creative process. It’s how I work. It’s so easy to carry Surface Go with me so I can capture those moments, instantly.”

The fanless Surface Go, which can also run in Windows 10 S mode, features a high-resolution PixelSense Display that can be used in portrait or landscape and supports Surface Pen with 4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity.

“The custom calibrated 3:2 display is soft on your eyes while you’re working and vibrantly high-contrast when you want to watch videos, create art or edit photos,” Panay added.

The device is powered by the 7th Generation Intel Pentium Gold Processor 4415Y. The Surface team “team worked closely with Intel to optimize power, performance and battery for the most critical tasks people perform every day”, Panay wrote.

The Signature Type Cover on the keyboard has been custom-made for the Surface Go, with the Alcantara material available in three colours – burgundy, cobalt blue and platinum. Panay said it offers users “the best typing experience possible, with ergonomic key pitch and exceptional key travel”. The trackpad supports multi-finger gestures and is compatible with the new Surface Mobile Mouse.

Like other devices in the range, Surface Go has a built-in kickstand with a hinge that can extend to 165-degrees. It also features a Surface Connect port for charging and docking, plus USB-C 3.1 for data, video and charging, a headphone jack and a MicroSD card reader for storage expansion.

“For a family at home or on the move, an expert on the front line of a business interacting with customers, or a school that wants to provide its students with the most versatile tools for learning, this device offers a premium experience with incredible value,” Panay added.

“Wherever the day takes you, and whatever unique tasks await you along the way, Surface Go moves with you.”

The Surface Go with Wi-Fi can be pre-ordered in the UK from today, with an LTE model available later this year.