What To Know
- Both the Surface Laptop Go 2 and Surface Laptop 4 boast a sleek and modern design, characteristic of the Surface line.
- The Surface Laptop Go 2 offers a decent selection of ports, including a USB-A port, a USB-C port, a headphone jack, and a Surface Connect port for charging.
- The starting price of the Surface Laptop Go 2 is lower than the Surface Laptop 4, but the price difference can vary depending on the specific configuration chosen.
Choosing the right laptop can be a daunting task, especially when you’re considering two popular options from the same brand. The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 and Surface Laptop 4 are both excellent laptops with their own strengths and weaknesses. This detailed comparison will help you understand the key differences between the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 vs Surface Laptop 4, and ultimately, determine which one is the best fit for your needs.
Design and Build Quality
Both the Surface Laptop Go 2 and Surface Laptop 4 boast a sleek and modern design, characteristic of the Surface line. The Surface Laptop Go 2 features a more compact design, making it incredibly portable. It’s available in a range of colors, including Platinum, Sandstone, and Ice Blue, adding a touch of personality. The Surface Laptop 4, on the other hand, comes in a more traditional laptop form factor, with a slightly larger footprint. It’s available in Platinum, Matte Black, and Sage, offering a more professional aesthetic.
Both laptops are built with premium materials, including an aluminum lid and a comfortable keyboard. The Surface Laptop Go 2’s keyboard is slightly smaller due to its compact design, but it’s still responsive and comfortable for typing. The Surface Laptop 4 features a larger keyboard with a more spacious layout, which might be preferred by users who spend a lot of time typing.
Display
The Surface Laptop Go 2 features a 12.4-inch PixelSense display with a resolution of 1536 x 1024, offering a crisp and vibrant viewing experience. The display is also touch-sensitive, allowing for intuitive navigation and interaction. The Surface Laptop 4 comes with a larger 13.5-inch PixelSense display with a resolution of 2256 x 1504, providing even sharper visuals and a wider viewing area.
Performance
The Surface Laptop Go 2 is powered by Intel’s 11th generation Core processors, offering a significant performance boost over its predecessor. The available configurations include the Core i5-1135G7 and Core i7-1165G7, providing ample power for everyday tasks, web browsing, and light productivity work. The Surface Laptop 4, on the other hand, is available with both Intel 11th Gen and AMD Ryzen 4000 series processors. The Intel models offer similar performance to the Surface Laptop Go 2, while the AMD models provide a noticeable performance advantage, especially for graphics-intensive tasks.
Battery Life
Both laptops offer excellent battery life. The Surface Laptop Go 2 boasts up to 13 hours of battery life, making it ideal for all-day use. The Surface Laptop 4, with its larger battery capacity, delivers even longer battery life, up to 17 hours, making it perfect for long trips or extended work sessions.
Ports and Connectivity
The Surface Laptop Go 2 offers a decent selection of ports, including a USB-A port, a USB-C port, a headphone jack, and a Surface Connect port for charging. The Surface Laptop 4, however, features a more comprehensive selection of ports, including two USB-A ports, two USB-C ports, a headphone jack, and a Surface Connect port.
Price
The Surface Laptop Go 2 is generally more affordable than the Surface Laptop 4, making it a compelling choice for budget-conscious users. The starting price of the Surface Laptop Go 2 is lower than the Surface Laptop 4, but the price difference can vary depending on the specific configuration chosen.
Choosing the Right Laptop: Surface Laptop Go 2 vs Surface Laptop 4
So, which laptop should you choose? The decision ultimately boils down to your individual needs and priorities.
Choose the Surface Laptop Go 2 if:
- You prioritize portability: The smaller footprint and lighter weight make it ideal for students or professionals who are constantly on the move.
- You’re on a tighter budget: The Surface Laptop Go 2 offers a more affordable option without sacrificing performance.
- You need a laptop for basic tasks: The Surface Laptop Go 2 is perfectly capable of handling everyday tasks, such as web browsing, email, and light productivity work.
Choose the Surface Laptop 4 if:
- You need a larger display: The 13.5-inch display provides a more immersive viewing experience for multimedia content and multitasking.
- You need more power: The AMD Ryzen 4000 series processors offer significant performance gains for demanding tasks, such as video editing or gaming.
- You value a more premium design: The Surface Laptop 4 comes in a more traditional laptop form factor with a more professional aesthetic.
Final Verdict: Beyond the Surface
Both the Surface Laptop Go 2 and Surface Laptop 4 are excellent laptops with their own strengths and weaknesses. The Surface Laptop Go 2 is a great choice for portability, affordability, and basic tasks, while the Surface Laptop 4 offers a more powerful and versatile experience. Ultimately, the best choice for you will depend on your specific needs and preferences.
Top Questions Asked
1. Which laptop is better for students?
Both laptops are suitable for students, but the Surface Laptop Go 2 might be a better choice for students who prioritize portability and affordability. The Surface Laptop 4 offers more power for demanding tasks like video editing or gaming, but it might be unnecessary for most student workloads.
2. Which laptop is better for professionals?
The Surface Laptop 4 is a better choice for professionals who need a powerful and versatile laptop for demanding tasks. The AMD Ryzen 4000 series processors offer significant performance gains for productivity work, while the larger display and more comprehensive port selection make it ideal for multitasking and connecting to peripherals.
3. Which laptop has a better webcam?
Both laptops feature decent webcams, but the Surface Laptop 4 has a slightly better webcam with a higher resolution and wider field of view.
4. Which laptop has a better keyboard?
The Surface Laptop 4 has a larger keyboard with a more spacious layout, which might be preferred by users who spend a lot of time typing. The Surface Laptop Go 2’s keyboard is slightly smaller but still comfortable and responsive.
5. Which laptop is better for gaming?
Neither laptop is specifically designed for gaming, but the Surface Laptop 4 with an AMD Ryzen 4000 series processor offers better performance for casual gaming. However, if you’re looking for a dedicated gaming laptop, you’ll need to consider other options.
