Surface Laptop Go 2 brings improved webcam, performance

The Surface Laptop Go 2 is finally official after many months of rumors. The new budget-friendly Surface is now up for pre-order and is set for release on June 7 with an improved webcam, as well as a jump in processing power thanks to Intel’s 11th-generation CPUs.

As a follow-up to 2020’s Surface Laptop Go, Microsoft hopes that this latest member of the Surface family can offer you a “signature premium design in an ultra-portable format.” Yet despite that phrasing, the physical aluminum and polycarbonate design of the product has not changed at all.

Microsoft is offering the Laptop Go 2 in a new “Sage” color. The new color offers “green and gray notes with a hint of blue,” according to Microsoft. That adds to the Ice Blue, Sandstone, and Platinum options that already existed.

The addition of Intel’s 11th-generation processor on board the new Surface Laptop Go 2 is the biggest change. It makes this the first Intel-based secure core PC in the Surface lineup. The original model had 10th-generation processors, so the addition of the Intel Core i5-1135G7 should bring the performance benefit of Intel’s Iris Xe graphics. This is the lone CPU option.

Microsoft claims that this combo can help you get up to 13.5 hours of battery with typical usage. RAM on the laptop can be configured with either 4GB or 8GB, and there’s a 16GB option on the commercial unit. Storage goes up to 128GB or 256GB. The SSD is removable, but only by authorized technicians.

As for the webcam, it is getting an improvement. Along with the dual microphones, that means “you’ll look and sound your best when making video calls,” according to Microsoft.

Surface Laptop Go 2 keeps the same screen and keyboard as the original. You’ll get a 12.4-inch, 3:2 aspect ratio screen tuned to the resolution of 1536 x 1024 or 148 PPI. There’s still no support for the Surface Pen. With the keyboard, you’ll get a deck that offers 30% more key travel than a MacBook Air.

There’s also a built-in fingerprint reader on the power button on select models. Microsoft still hasn’t added backlighting on the keyboard, however.

Ports are also unchanged between generations. The mix still includes USB-A, USB-C, and a headphone jack, as well as the Surface Connect Port.

Surface Laptop Go 2 starts at $600. It is now available for pre-order at BestBuy.com, as well as Microsoft Store.com.

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