Microsoft Boosts Performance of Surface Go 4, Meeting Customer Needs

Microsoft has unveiled the Surface Go 4, the latest addition to its affordable 2-in-1 laptop series. The new Go 4 is specifically aimed at businesses and frontline workers, offering minor performance upgrades compared to its predecessor. As leaked last week, the Surface Go 4 now features a four-core Intel N200 chip, replacing the two-core Intel Pentium processor found in the Surface Go 3.

One significant improvement is that Microsoft has ditched the 4GB RAM configuration and will only be offering the Surface Go 4 with 8GB of LPDDR5 memory. This is a welcome change, given that 4GB of RAM is insufficient for multitasking. Storage options start at 64GB, with the availability of additional 128GB and 256GB configurations.

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No major design changes have been made to the exterior of the Surface Go 4. It retains the USB-C port, 3.5mm headphone jack, microSD card reader, and two 1080p cameras, along with a 10.5-inch 1920 x 1280 display. However, internal components such as the battery, kickstand, motherboard, and display have been made to be more easily repairable or replaceable.

While the improved repairability and replaceability of the Surface Go 4 is a positive addition, the fact that its overall design is almost identical to its predecessor may not work in its favor. In a review of the Surface Go 3, The Verge criticized the device for its weak build quality, poor battery life, and high price.

Our initial hands-on test of the Surface Go 4 confirmed some performance issues, such as slow web browsing and slow display orientation switching. However, Microsoft claims that the Windows 11 Pro version of the Surface Go 4 will be 80% faster than its predecessor.