The market for ultra-portables that bridge the gap between a decent desktop and media consumption has dwindled to almost nothing. A space now dominated by iPads and Android tablets with terrible multitasking, file management and mobile browsers. But once you get rid of Windows, the Surface Go can still be a compelling option.https://www.notebookcheck.net/Forget-the-ROG-Flow-or-iPad-if-you-like-the-form-factor-the-Surface-Go-is-still-a-compelling-purchase-in-2025.1002233.0.html
Interesting write up - thanks!
My first surface is a small i5/8GB model running WIN10. I loaded the apps I needed on it and was done. (I think it is 10-11" and fits in my camera backpack)
For what I need/use it for it is enough. If I need more power/performance I can bring along a 'real' laptop.
A few years back I tried Ubuntu on a Surface Book Pro and the experience was fairly bad - not much actually worked and as I had overwritten the WIN10 on the device I reverted to (sic) WIN11. It now collects dust waiting for a Linux build that can/will fully make use of it. :)
There IS a market for 'desktop browsers' as the mobile version don't have the support for many plugins. Then any browser on iOS/iPadOS is merely a 'skin' so Apple products are out leaving ether Android or a Linux distro.
Given there is little if any NEW SUB 13" 2&1 or laptops being made the idea/concept of looking at the used market for devices is a worthy idea.
Maybe someday I'll get the i7/16GB/512GB 14" SurfaceBook Pro up on a Linux distro, but until then it will continue to collect dust. :(
Microsoft should have continue to dévelop it. The new AMD AI 9 HX 370 with its great iGPU would have been perfect for a new Surface Go.
QuoteForget the ROG Flow or iPad, if you like the form factor, the Surface Go is still a compelling purchase in 2025
Uhm... the Rog Flow is a
gaming tablet with an i9 processor and a 4060 GPU. Yes, it's chunky - but the target market for them is kind of used to chunky. The Surface Go simply isn't even in the same class.
As for iPads, if you're getting that, you're in the Apple ecosystem, so again, Surface Go isn't really comparable.
The closest equivalent are indeed Android tablets - but the intent of those are convenience and ease of use... the Surface Go is meant to be a light and compact
Windows device.
The biggest problems with the Surface Go are:
- Business only, so not widely available retail
- N200 "Pentium class" CPU
- Price - US$690 for 8GB RAM and 64GB storage, US$920 for 256GB
- No 5G version (which they used to have)
In the end, there are other much better Windows tablet options from Lenovo and ASUS than this.
Quote from: Shiro on April 20, 2025, 23:56:07Microsoft should have continue to dévelop it. The new AMD AI 9 HX 370 with its great iGPU would have been perfect for a new Surface Go.
The new AMD chips are good but I feel like it suits more for the Pro instead because of its price. Lunar Lake or a similar level AMD chip is where its at for the Go, tho.
"Android tablets with their terrible [...] file management"
Please explain! Is this really so if one installs a third party file manager? I need to know because I also consider buying an Android tablet.
Quote from: RobertJasiek on April 21, 2025, 08:57:36"Android tablets with their terrible [...] file management"
Please explain! Is this really so if one installs a third party file manager? I need to know because I also consider buying an Android tablet.
Nothing is wrong with it. A good file manager (if a default pre installed one isn't up to your needs) and you are good to go.
Quote from: User #19737382928 on April 21, 2025, 04:00:16Quote from: Shiro on April 20, 2025, 23:56:07Microsoft should have continue to dévelop it. The new AMD AI 9 HX 370 with its great iGPU would have been perfect for a new Surface Go.
The new AMD chips are good but I feel like it suits more for the Pro instead because of its price. Lunar Lake or a similar level AMD chip is where its at for the Go, tho.
IMHO: Therein lies the problem: cost/marketing/market
While YES some of the newer AMD APU's would be
ideal for small light weight Linux (or <sic> Windows) gaming systems they currently are only showing up in 'high end' and rather expensive systems.
Forgetting for the moment the sheer SIZE in
Billions the gaming market is AMD and its OEM partners appear to think that there is no market for a <=11" x86 tablet or 2-in-1 that can play PC games.
IMHO: give me the power of a R5 with an Awesome iGPU (IE: weak CPU+Strong iGPU) and see how THAT flies off the shelves!!