Microsoft Surface 2 Goes Keyboard Review

 

The Microsoft Surface Goes 2 is an inexpensive 2 in 1 laptop that can replace your everyday laptop or netbook. The Go 2 is an extremely sleek and thin design that is comfortable to carry. The physical keys are all in one spot and provide a satisfying and hearty keyboard response. The touch sensitive keys are responsive and provide a light actuation with no fatigue for typing.

The biggest advantage of this keyboard over other similar laptops is the versatility of the keys. They are located on the side of the keyboard. This allows for a combination of Caps, Control, and Meta keys without having to change devices. On the back of the Surface Go 2, you will see the optical input which allows for the use of an external mouse. An incredibly useful feature indeed for people who like using their Surface laptops as a desktop computer.

With all the advantages provided by the Microsoft Surface Go 2, many wonder why the device costs so much less than other premium 2 in 1 laptops like the MacBook Air and the iPad. The main difference is in the components that make up the Surface Pro rather than the overall price of the laptop. Obviously, the larger and thicker screen helps to make up for the lower RAM and battery.

While the Apple iPad has a large, 12.4-inch display, the Surface Go 2 has a smaller, 9.7 inch display. Despite having a smaller screen, the display on the Microsoft Surface Go 2 is sharper and easier to read. However, it should be noted that there is no brightening on the screen. The bezels are also very thin, allowing for a larger, wider viewing area. The reason for this is because it uses a liquid crystal technology instead of a LCD panel to provide clearer images.

The two tablets run on the same software platform as the older version of the Surface Go, namely Windows OS 3.5. As with the older device, the upgraded model comes with a physical keyboard. In addition to the physical keyboard, the newer version also includes a touch sensitive screen. The screen is larger but is still comfortable to use. The only real difference between the two is that the newer version supports the Microsoft Windows Store. The older version only supports the Apple iOS platform.

As with many of Microsoft's first party products, the Surface Go also features the new Microsoft Surface Pen. Unlike the stylus that comes with the older version of the Surface Pen, the new pen has a larger tip and can be used to select text. The advantage of using the pen is that it can be used to write on the screen as well as for other tasks. The new pen interface also provides pressure sensitivity, so it can be used with both the keyboard and the front-facing camera.

Like the original surface go, the upgraded model offers a spacious keyboard tray with room for the keyboard and pen. Unfortunately, however, the keyboard tray is now wider than before which makes it harder to type efficiently. On the upside, the new keyboard has an increased battery life, which should last you through several work sessions.

On the front-facing camera and as on the original, the Microsoft Surface Goes 2 camera offers great picture quality. While the flash is not as bright as on the iPhone and iPad, it's a decent flash and is easily adjustable if you need to take better pictures. Another plus is that the kickstand adjusts in height, which means that you can put the tablet down flat or upright. Overall, the upgraded version of this tablet gives you an easier time navigating and taking photos with the added benefit of a larger and brighter backlit screen.