“The Microsoft Surface Go is aimed at the education sector, with competitive pricing bundled into a smart, updated overall package”
Microsoft has commenced sales of the Surface Go 2-in-1 hybrid laptop in India. The budget version of Microsoft’s Surface line of laptop-replacing tablets will be sold exclusively via Flipkart in India, and is being sold in two variants, priced at Rs 38,599 and Rs 50,999 respectively. The Surface Go (first impressions) is powered by an Intel Pentium Gold 4415Y dual-core processor, which is mainly meant for light-resource tasks such as always-active internet services.
The cheaper variant of the Surface Go features 4GB of RAM and 64GB of eMMC flash storage, while the more expensive variant is complemented by 8GB of RAM and a 128GB SSD inside. The 10-inch PixelSense display, as typical to Surface tablets, gets the unconventional 3:2 aspect ratio, with a screen resolution of 1,800 x 1,200 pixels and marginally higher effective pixel density than a 10-inch conventional full HD display. It is, of course, touch-enabled, and supports ink-based sketching with the Surface Pen.
The highlight of the device is portability, with it weighing just 522 grams without any attachment. This will be lucrative to users that prioritise portability, and have most tasks centred around cloud-based, online services. Other features include an infrared camera for Windows Hello facial recognition, Dolby Audio-powered front-facing stereo speakers, a USB-C 3.1 port, 3.5mm audio port, microSD card slot and the Microsoft Surface connector, to latch on the Signature Type Cover keyboard.
The keyboard, however, is sold separately, with the standard black keyboard priced at Rs 8,699. The Microsoft Surface Go has also been launched with Windows 10 S on board, which can be upgraded to a full version of the Windows 10 operating system, as a one-time, irreversible upgrade. The hybrid laptop also retains the 165-degree tilting hinge at the rear to support multiple viewing angles.
The Microsoft Surface Go is up for sale now on Flipkart, and will hope to tap into the functional, budget laptop segment with a product that has premium finesse and the Microsoft brand to go for it.
