Performance: Overall this laptop's performance was Poor, well below that of many other models and you may notice slowdowns in such things as boot-up, application launching, and video editing. Compared to other tested laptops, performance was okay but on the slow side for common tasks such as web browsing or video conferencing. You would notice this most when opening up applications. Performance was okay but on the slow side when composing documents, working on data spreadsheets, and running other productivity tasks, and it was so slow that it was difficult to manipulate images, edit videos, and calculate simulations.
Portability: This laptop is a Very Good choice for traveling. Battery life lasted 12 hours in a light load of web browsing tests, and 6.75 hours in a heavier load of 4K video playback tests. Results could get you through a typical workday, under a workload of mixed use. At 1.7 lbs, this laptop is lightweight for a laptop of this size category.
Ergonomics: Some features of the keyboard, touchpad, and labeling were not well-designed, so it's not especially comfortable or convenient to use. The keyboard was not full-sized, and might be uncomfortable for larger hands. Its high contrast letters were easy to read, and the backlighting can be useful in dark rooms. The power button labeling was hard to read when the laptop is off, and it was inconveniently placed, either difficult to reach or too easy to accidentally press. The touchpad was uncomfortably small, providing less space for gestures than most others tested. The keyboard can be detached, allowing the screen to be used like a tablet. The touchscreen is smooth enough for fast swipes, and fingerprints clean off easily. The keyboard is more flexible than most others, but the tablet itself has a sturdy feel. This was purchased with the optional Surface Go Type cover, sold separately.
Display: The display quality was Excellent overall. Colors were accurately reproduced, realistic, and natural looking. The laptop's display was brighter than most, a plus for viewing in bright indoor lighting or outdoors. The display has a wide viewing angle, especially important if more than one person needs to see the screen at a time, say, for a video or presentation. Its display has better contrast than on most other tested laptops.
Useful features and attributes on this model include: Laptop converts to a touchscreen tablet to be used as either a laptop computer or a tablet. The 64GB solid-state drive uses less power and accesses data more quickly than conventional hard-disk drives. You can connect common external devices such as hard drives and Blu-ray burners using USB 3.0 (5 Gbps) for maximum performance. This laptop supports DisplayPort over USB-C for connecting to an HDTV or monitor.
Downsides: There's no optical drive like a CD or DVD reader, so you'll have to buy an external drive if you need one. At about 6 ft length, the power cable is shorter than most others, so you'd need to be mindful of power outlet locations.
