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Surface Go vs Surface Pro: What's the Difference?
The ultimate tablet showdown
By Jennifer Allen Jennifer Allen Writer Swansea University, Staffordshire University Jennifer Allen has been writing about technology since 2010. Her work has appeared in Mashable, TechRadar, and many more publications. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on February 9, 2021 Reviewed by Michael Barton Heine Jr Reviewed by Michael Barton Heine Jr Michael Heine is a CompTIA-certified writer, editor, and Network Engineer with 25+ years' experience working in the television, defense, ISP, telecommunications, and education industries. lifewire's editorial guidelines Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email In This Article
Expand Jump to a Section Overall Findings Technical Specifications Ease of Use Pricing Final Verdict Both the Microsoft Surface Go and Microsoft Surface Pro are big names in the tablet world but their similar names can be a little confusing. Both offer some substantial advantages and disadvantages with some very different prices and target audiences. The Microsoft Surface Go is the smallest and cheapest of the two but being cheaper doesn't mean it's the perfect fit for everyone. If you're wondering who would win in the battle of Microsoft Surface Go vs Pro, read on as we lay out exactly what both offer. Lifewire Overall Findings
Microsoft Surface Go Low-cost entry point price. Small and lightweight. Ideal for schoolwork or studying. Microsoft Surface Pro High-end system. Great screen quality. Designed for more professional tasks. Microsoft Surface Pro vs Microsoft Surface Go? Actually, the fight is more of a dead heat because what truly matters is what you need the system to do. They're both fantastic tablets providing your needs match what they offer. The Microsoft Surface Go is much more inexpensive than the Microsoft Surface Pro and thanks to that, it's ideally suited for students on a tight budget. Small and lightweight also means it's great if you're going between classes or have limited space in your dorm room. However, it's not the fastest of systems and it only uses a special form of Windows known as Windows 10 S. In comparison, the Microsoft Surface Pro is more of a high-end device with some powerful specifications that mean it's able to do a lot more, offers the full Windows 10 experience, and a far better battery life too. It's great for more professional work or those who simply want a faster experience. Technical Specifications Microsoft Surface Pro Wins by a Mile
Microsoft Surface Go 10.5-inch screen. 8MP rear and 5MP front camera. 10.5 hour battery life. Uses Windows 10 S. Microsoft Surface Pro 12.3-inch screen. 8MP rear and 5MP front full HD camera. 10.5 hour battery life. Uses Windows 10 Home. When it comes to technical prowess, you can't beat the Microsoft Surface Pro compared to the Microsoft Surface Go. It simply offers a far superior experience thanks to being more than just a tablet. While the Microsoft Surface Go remains as a tablet at all times, the Microsoft Surface Pro is a 2-in-1 device meaning it also works as a laptop too. It also has a far faster processor and more powerful RAM so it's able to multi-task better and generally perform far quicker than the Microsoft Surface Go. It also has the full Windows 10 experience while the Microsoft Surface Go uses a cut down version in the form of Windows 10 S. However, that also means you're dealing with a machine that's much more like a laptop than a regular tablet. Not everyone needs a full laptop experience which means spending the extra on the Microsoft Surface Pro might not be needed if you simply want an efficient tablet. Ease of Use Both Have Their Strengths
Microsoft Surface Go Limited Windows experience. Compatible with some SIM cards and networks. Smaller display. Microsoft Surface Pro Full Windows 10 experience. Compatible with more accessories for improving use. Almost as large as a regular laptop. In terms of which is easiest to use, it depends how you want to use them. Crucially, the Microsoft Surface Go uses Windows 10 in something known as S mode. That's a cutback and more limited version than the usual Windows 10. It means you can only install applications from the Microsoft Store, for instance, and you can only browse the web with Microsoft Edge. It's far more secure than full Windows as you can't accidentally install anything nefarious, but it can be restrictive because you can't tweak anything. Think of it as like using iOS or ChromeOS. Alternatively, the Microsoft Surface Pro uses the full Windows 10 operating system so you can do everything on it that you would a normal PC. It's also compatible with slightly more accessories, plus you can see more on screen. Despite that, the Microsoft Surface Go has another advantage - you can go online via a SIM card if you set it up accordingly. It all depends on how you plan on using it. Pricing Microsoft Surface Go Is Way Cheaper
Microsoft Surface Go Starts at $399.99. Aimed at the tablet buying crowd. SIM connectivity is extra. Microsoft Surface Pro Starts at $749.99. Aimed at those buying a laptop. Keyboard is extra but useful. If you simply want the cheapest device, the Microsoft Surface Go wins easily. It starts at just under $400 compared to the Microsoft Surface Pro's initial asking price of $749.99. However, that's because you're buying a very different experience. The Microsoft Surface Go is aimed at people considering a tablet purchase while the Microsoft Surface Pro is targeting those looking for a new laptop. Bear in mind that you'll need some accessories to get the most from either. The Microsoft Surface Go is far more portable if you buy a compatible SIM card and data connection to go with it, while the Microsoft Surface Pro needs a keyboard accessory to get the full experience and turn it into a full laptop. It's important to budget for either accordingly. Final Verdict Both Serve a Purpose
So, what should you buy between a Microsoft Surface Go and a Microsoft Surface Pro? It truly comes down to what you need a new device for. Do you simply want a new tablet that's a lot like an iPad but with a Microsoft flavor? The Microsoft Surface Go will delight you. It's great if you need to take notes while studying or simply browse online or watch streaming services. Add on a Surface Pen if you want to use it as a form of graphics tablet too. On the other hand, if you want something more akin to a full laptop experience with the flexibility that comes from a tablet you can't beat the Microsoft Surface Pro. It costs more but that's because it's a reasonable laptop in its own right with the option of turning into a tablet whenever you need it to. You'll definitely need to buy a keyboard to go with it but it's worth the extra expense. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire Which Microsoft Surface Is Best for You? The Next Microsoft Surface Event: Date, News, Announcements, Rumors, and More Surface Go 2 vs iPad: What's the Difference? The Microsoft Surface 3 vs. Surface Pro 3 The 9 Best Tablets in 2022, Tested by Lifewire Neo QLED vs. OLED: What's the Difference? Surface Go 3: Price, Release Date, Specs, and News The 8 Best 2-in-1 Laptop Tablets, Tested by Experts Surface Pro 8: News, Price, Release Date & Specs The 9 Best Drawing Apps for the Surface Pro iPad Pro vs. Surface Pro The 8 Best Windows Tablets of 2022 The 9 Best Android Tablets, Tested by Experts 11 Tips and Tricks for the Surface Pro 7 The 7 Best Gaming Tablets, Tested by Lifewire How to Fix a Surface Pro Keyboard That's Not Working Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies