The Surface Laptop Go is an enjoyable device to use, but sub-par battery life and a lack of competitive specs mean most people will find better value for money elsewhere.

Thin and light; Impressive keyboard; Solid performance on top-spec model

No backlit keys; Average battery life; Comparatively expensive

With the Surface Laptop Go, Microsoft has tried to make an affordable laptop for the masses – or at least for students. While performance and battery life are underwhelming, the laptop is well built and designed, and will serve you well for day-to-day computing.

Well-built and lightweight; Impressive 12.4-inch; 3:2 aspect ratio display; Copes with most tasks comfortably

Average battery life; Average specs on the cheapest configuration; Average performance

Although there are some quirks - such as a whistly fan, a low numbers of ports, and limited storage in the entry-level model - otherwise the balance of features and performance make for a compelling affordable laptop.

Great design that looks and feels beyond the asking price; Comfortable typing and trackpad experience; Proper processor means it's capable outside of Windows 10 S

Fan can be loud and whistly when power is plugged in; No keyboard backlighting; Limited RAM/storage on entry model; Middling battery life; Less-than-Full-HD screen

Microsoft has a really good lower-cost Windows 10 laptop in it, but unfortunately the Surface Laptop Go isn’t quite it. It has many of the right elements: a great keyboard, good trackpad, nice look and reasonable performance.

solid performance; good keyboard and trackpad; fingerprint scanner in mid-or-high model; USB-C; nice look; solid build; recycled plastic.

weak battery life; runs hot; no backlit keys; screen not that crisp and not 1080p HD; not that much cheaper than premium machines; software niggles.

From the moment I started working on the Surface Laptop Go, I have fallen in love with it. The fact that it’s small and lightweight, and also has a full-size keyboard, and is powerful enough to get the work done makes the Surface Laptop Go winner for writers and journalists.

The Microsoft Surface Go is supposed to be an entry-level Surface 2-in-1. After a few weeks with it, I feel some Surface lovers should consider it over the Pro and maybe the Surface Laptop 2.

Good display; Light and Portable; Decent Battery Life; USB-C Charging Port

Bezels are slightly TOO big; Accessories sold separately; Not comfortable to use on lap

Microsoft’s Surface Laptop 3 is well-regarded for its high-quality hardware in a good looking package. But at a starting price of $1,000, it’s relatively expensive. The new Surface Laptop Go aims to solve that problem, thanks to its affordable starting price of $549.

Solidly built and great looking; with a fast enough processor.

The display's resolution is wonky; and boy does it get hot.

The Surface Laptop Go is a fantastic device at a super-affordable price. It offers decent performance and comfortable keyboard that's ideal for students, office workers and social media addicts alike.

Incredible value; Small and classy design; Excellent performance; Comfortable keyboard

Low-resolution display; No keyboard backlight; No fingerprint scanner on base configuration

Diluting down the Surface formula was always going to require a few compromises. The Laptop Go is a well-built and lightweight machine that truly looks the part, but is let down by a few key omissions and cut-backs. Budget alternatives offer more storage and higher resolution screens than the £549 base model, while a Dell XPS 13 would give us serious pause for thought before pulling the trigger on the £899 version tested here. The middle-ground model seems like the best value, but even then there's no shortage of keenly-priced alternatives. Still, if you don't mind paying a premium for good design, even when on a mid-range budget, the Go's styling is tough to beat.

Light and well-built; Vibrant 3:2 aspect touchscreen; Full-size keyboard and expansive touchpad;

Internals merely average for the money; No backlit keyboard; Battery life only average;