Microsoft Surface Go 10.5" 2 Platinum 2020

The Surface Go 2 is a featherweight Windows tablet that's dirt cheap at $148 to $200 renewed, but the Pentium Gold CPU and 4GB RAM mean it's only good for basic tasks. The 10.5-inch display is sharp and the portability is excellent, but you'll need to buy the keyboard and pen separately. If you need Windows on a budget and can live with slow performance, it's a decent deal. Everyone else should look at an iPad or Android tablet.

Let's talk about that Pentium Gold 4425Y, because it's the heart of this machine and it's not a strong heart. In our database, this CPU ranks dead last among all tablets we track. That's not hyperbole, it's literally the 0th percentile. The 4425Y is a dual-core chip designed for fanless devices, which means it prioritizes low power draw over performance. For basic tasks like web browsing, email, and document editing, it's adequate. Pages load, apps open, and you won't tear your hair out waiting for Word to launch. But open more than a few browser tabs, or try to run anything heavier than a lightweight app, and you'll feel the slowdown immediately. The 4GB of RAM doesn't help. That's the 31st percentile among tablets, which means most competing devices have more memory. Windows 10 in S Mode helps by keeping background processes in check, but once you switch to full Windows and start installing regular desktop apps, that 4GB gets eaten up fast.

The 64GB eMMC storage is another bottleneck. eMMC is essentially the same flash storage you'd find in a budget phone, and it's significantly slower than the NVMe SSDs in modern laptops and even some tablets. Boot times are okay, but app launches and file transfers will feel sluggish compared to anything with a proper SSD. The storage capacity itself is also tight. Windows 10 takes up a good chunk of that 64GB, leaving you with maybe 30-40GB of usable space. You'll want a microSD card for anything beyond documents and a few apps. The GPU situation is similarly grim, ranking in the 3rd percentile. This is not a gaming machine, and even casual games will struggle. The 10.5-inch display is actually decent, ranking in the 44th percentile, which puts it right around average. The 1920x1280 resolution is sharp for the size, and colors are reasonably accurate for an LCD. But the screen's quality is held back by the hardware driving it. Scrolling can feel choppy, and animations aren't as smooth as you'd get on an iPad or a higher-end Windows tablet.

The Surface Go 2's most obvious competitor is the Apple iPad A16. The iPad runs circles around the Go 2 in terms of performance, with a chip that's generations ahead of the Pentium Gold. The iPad's app ecosystem is also far more tablet-friendly, with apps designed for touch from the ground up. Windows apps, by contrast, often feel cramped and awkward on a 10.5-inch screen. The iPad also has better battery life and a more premium build quality. But the iPad can't run full desktop Windows apps, and that's the Go 2's ace in the hole. If you need to run legacy Windows software, or you're deep in the Microsoft ecosystem with OneDrive and Office, the Go 2 makes a case for itself. The iPad is the better tablet, but the Go 2 is the better tiny Windows PC.

The Lenovo Yoga Tab Plus and Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra are both Android tablets that outclass the Go 2 in nearly every spec. The Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra has a massive 14.6-inch AMOLED display, a much faster processor, and more RAM. The Yoga Tab Plus offers a unique design with a built-in kickstand and excellent speakers. Both are better for media consumption and general tablet use. But they're also more expensive, and they run Android, which means no full desktop apps. The Xiaomi Pad 7 is another strong Android option that undercuts the Go 2 on price while offering better performance. If you don't need Windows, any of these Android tablets will feel snappier and more enjoyable to use. The Go 2's only real advantage is the operating system, and for a specific subset of users, that's enough.

Here's where things get interesting. The Surface Go 2 is cheap, and that's its biggest selling point. In our database, US prices range from $148 to $200 across five listings, with the best deal coming in at $148. That's less than half the price of a new iPad, and it gets you a full Windows machine. For a student who needs to run desktop Office apps or a specific Windows-only program, that's a compelling pitch. You're getting a real operating system, not a mobile OS pretending to be productive. The renewed condition is a factor, though. Some buyers report receiving units in excellent shape, while others mention scratches and missing accessories. The $52 spread between the cheapest and most expensive listing means it's worth shopping around. If you can snag one at the low end, the value proposition is solid. At $200, it's a harder sell, especially once you factor in the cost of a Type Cover keyboard and Surface Pen, which are sold separately and can easily add $100 or more to your total.

Compared to the competition, the value story is nuanced. An iPad A16 costs more but offers dramatically better performance, a smoother experience, and a much stronger app ecosystem. The Lenovo Yoga Tab Plus and Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra are in a completely different league in terms of specs, but they also cost significantly more. The Surface Go 2's value comes down to one question: do you need Windows? If the answer is yes, and you're on a tight budget, this is one of the cheapest ways to get there. If you just want a tablet for browsing, streaming, and light productivity, an iPad or even a mid-range Android tablet will feel faster and more polished for similar money.

The Surface Go 2 is Microsoft's attempt to make a Windows tablet that doesn't feel like a compromise, and honestly, it's a mixed bag. The pitch is simple: a 10.5-inch touchscreen, a real desktop OS, and a body light enough to toss in a bag without thinking twice. At 544g, it's lighter than most laptops and even some iPads with keyboards attached. The 1920x1280 PixelSense display is sharp enough for reading and streaming, and the 220 ppi density means text looks crisp rather than fuzzy. But the internals tell a different story. A Pentium Gold 4425Y with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of eMMC storage is about as entry-level as Windows hardware gets in 2025. This is a tablet for light browsing, email, and note-taking, not for anything that makes the CPU break a sweat.

Who is this actually for? Students who need a cheap Windows machine for Word and OneNote, people who want a secondary device for the couch or kitchen, and anyone who values portability over raw power. The Surface Pen support and keyboard connector mean it can transform into a mini laptop when you need to type something longer than a text message. Face unlock via Windows Hello is a nice touch at this price point, and the USB-C port means you're not stuck with proprietary chargers. But the base model's 4GB of RAM is a real constraint. Windows 10 in S Mode helps by restricting you to Microsoft Store apps, which keeps things running smoother, but it also limits what you can install until you switch out of S Mode.

The elephant in the room is the price. This is a renewed unit, and prices in our database range from $148 to $200 across five US listings. That's cheap for a Windows tablet, but you're buying into a platform that's already showing its age. The Surface Go 2 launched in 2020, and while it still gets Windows updates, the Pentium Gold processor is not going to age gracefully. If you need a Windows machine for basic tasks and don't want to spend real laptop money, this is a viable option. If you want a tablet that feels fast and responsive, look elsewhere.

If you're looking for a tablet for entertainment, gaming, or creative work, skip the Surface Go 2. The GPU ranks in the 3rd percentile, which means even casual games will stutter, and the 64GB eMMC storage fills up fast with apps and media. The entertainment score in our database is just 31.2 out of 100, the weakest area for this device. An iPad or a mid-range Android tablet will give you a much better experience for streaming, gaming, and drawing. If you need a Windows machine for anything beyond basic productivity, also look elsewhere. The 4GB RAM and Pentium Gold processor will frustrate you if you try to run demanding software, edit photos, or multitask heavily. A budget laptop with 8GB of RAM and an SSD will serve you far better for real work. And if you're buying this for a kid, be aware that several owners mention it's complicated to set up and manage, especially with the S Mode restrictions and accessory requirements.

The Surface Go 2 is a niche product that makes sense for a very specific type of buyer. If you're a student who needs Windows for school software, or someone who wants a cheap secondary device for light productivity and web browsing, the Go 2 is a reasonable choice at $148 to $200. The portability is genuinely impressive, the display is good for the price, and the ability to run full Windows apps sets it apart from iPads and Android tablets. Just be prepared for the performance limitations. The Pentium Gold processor and 4GB of RAM mean this is a one-thing-at-a-time machine. Keep your expectations in check, stick to lightweight apps, and you'll be fine.

For everyone else, there are better options. If you want a tablet for media consumption, gaming, or creative work, an iPad or a mid-range Android tablet will serve you better. If you need a Windows machine for real work, save up for a proper laptop with at least 8GB of RAM and an SSD. The Go 2 is a compromise device, and the compromises are significant. It's a great value if you know exactly what you're getting into, but it's not a device that will grow with you. The 4GB RAM and 64GB storage will feel cramped within a year or two, and the CPU was already underpowered when it launched. Buy it for what it is, not what you hope it could be.