Microsoft ’s Surface serial publication is one of the most popular laptop computer ranges available , and is made up of devices in a sort of forms .
The Surface Pro series is arguably the most synonymous with the Microsoft brand , with a intercrossed design allowing you to employ it as both a pad of paper and laptop once you pair it with the Type Cover keyboard .
However , laptop computer buyers may be confused by the creation of the Surface Go , which on the face of it shares the same design as the Surface Pro . So what ’s the difference between the two , and which is the unspoiled option for you ?
In this comparison usher , we ’ll be compare the two Surface ranges as a whole , rather than concentrate on individual models . So if you need to know whether you should grease one’s palms a Surface Pro or Surface Go , keep on reading for the full breakdown .
Price
The first affair to note is that the two Surface ranges occupy different price degree . The Surface Go is tilt as Microsoft ’s introduction - point tablet . The Surface Go 3 launched back in 2023 with a starting price of $ 799 .
Meanwhile , the Surface Pro is designed to be a more premium alternative , and therefore has a higher terms . The Surface Pro 9 shipped with a radix price of $ 999 , which mean there ’s a $ 200 price difference between the two .
Controversially , both twist do not follow compact with the Type Cover by default , which is need to use the tablet as a laptop computer . The Surface Go Type Cover costs $ 129.99 , while the Surface Pro Type Cover is even more expensive at $ 129.99 .
Design and screen
The Microsoft Surface Pro and Surface Go share the same design concept , taking the form of a tablet that can impound to a magnetic keyboard . Both have a built - in kickstand that allows it to easily be prop up up on a desk .
However , while the two devices look almost very at first glimpse , there are few significant differences . Firstly , the Surface Pro is bigger , featuring a 13 - inch touch screen , whereas the Surface Go chain is cut back to a 10.5 - inch panel .
The Surface Pro also has a superior screen resolution ( 2880 decade 1920 ) equate to the Surface Go ( 1920 x 1280 ) , lead in abrupt picture lineament . Current models of the Surface Pro use an LCD screen door , just like the Surface Go , although rumours designate that Microsoft could be upgrading to anOLEDscreen for the upcomingSurface Pro 10 .
The Surface Go features a magnesium casing , with the weight come in at 544 g. The Surface Pro serial is made up of aluminium instead , defecate it significantly heavier at 879 g – although we found it to still be comfortably light enough to transport around easily .
Performance
The carrying out is the most of import divergence between these two tablet . The Surface Go offers an entry - level functioning that ’s only really suitable for basic tasks such as web browse , sending e-mail and streaming video . Even having too many internet browser apps open simultaneously can see the Surface Go grind to a halt .
The Surface Pro range packs more powerful central processor , generally in the Intel Core i5 and i7 ranges ( although Qualcomm choice are uncommitted too ) which can deal any productiveness work load , as well as more complex chore . If you postulate a gadget fast enough to work on , you ’ll most likely want the Surface Pro alternatively of its Go sib .
The bench mark graphical record above play up the important performance between theSurface Go 3andSurface Pro 9 . In fact , the carrying out gap is so big that buy an honest-to-goodness random variable of the Pro series ( such as theSurface Pro 7 ) will still get you far better performance than what the latest control surface Go 3 offers .
Battery life
The battery life will differ for each simulation in the Surface Pro and Surface Go roam , so do n’t expect the results to be logical throughout each series .
That said , the Surface Pro has consistently outperformed its crummy sibling in our barrage fire exam . For the latest models , the Surface Pro 9 lasted close to 10 time of day in our productivity bench mark test , while the Surface Go 3 could only last around 7 hours and 30 hour on a single direction .
This is because Microsoft has fit the Surface Go mountain chain with a smaller barrage cellular phone compared to the Surface Pro . This allow the Surface Go to be smaller and more portable , but could turn out thwarting for those who care to go on the go .
Verdict
The Microsoft Surface Go and Surface Pro equipment may expect like similar devices , but they target very dissimilar consultation .
The Surface Go is well view as a lifestyle pill , with just enough power for canonical WWW browsing and video streaming . It ’s not an ideal option for work , as the execution and battery life hold up it back significantly , although the smaller design does make it more portable .
The Surface Pro range is far more ideal for work thanks to the more powerful execution and longer battery life . Even for lifestyle intent , these upgrades may justify the cost conflict between the two ranges . And if the Surface Pro 10 rumours are to be believed , it could soon be upgraded with an OLED board to make it even more enticing .