Microsoft Surface Go 4 10.5" 2023, Intel N200, 8GB, 128GB, Platinum

The Surface Go 4 is a featherweight Windows tablet that's perfect for travel and basic tasks, but the N200 processor is slow and the battery life disappoints. The keyboard and pen are sold separately, which annoys buyers who see them in product photos. At this price, you're paying for portability and Windows compatibility, not performance. Only buy it if you specifically need the smallest possible Windows machine.

Let's talk about that N200 chip. It's a 4-core processor that sits in the 17th percentile for CPUs in our database, which means it's near the bottom of what we test. For context, that's below most budget laptops and a long way from anything with a Core i5 or Ryzen 5. In real terms, you'll be fine with email, web browsing, Office documents, and light note-taking. But open a dozen browser tabs, fire up a video call, and try to edit a photo at the same time, and you'll feel the ceiling pretty quickly.

The 8GB of RAM helps. It's in the 66th percentile for tablets, which is solid for this category, and it means basic multitasking won't crash on you. The 128GB of storage is about average, and the Wi-Fi 6 support is a nice touch for a device this size. But the GPU is a weak spot, landing in the 13th percentile. Don't expect to do any gaming or heavy graphics work here. This is a productivity and note-taking machine, not a creative workstation.

Against the iPad Pro M5, the Surface Go 4 looks like a toy in terms of raw power. Apple's M5 chip absolutely demolishes the N200 in every benchmark we run, and the iPad's display is in a different universe. But the Surface runs full Windows, which means real desktop apps, proper file management, and compatibility with enterprise software. If your job requires Windows-specific tools, the iPad is a non-starter no matter how fast it is.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra and Lenovo Yoga Tab Plus are closer in spirit, both being productivity-focused tablets with stylus support. The Samsung has a gorgeous 14.6-inch AMOLED screen and a much faster processor, but it runs Android, which still struggles with true desktop-class multitasking. The Lenovo Yoga Tab Plus is interesting because it offers a larger screen and better battery life at a competitive price, but again, no Windows. The Xiaomi Pad 7 undercuts everyone on price, but its software support and build quality don't match the Surface's premium feel.

Pricing is where this gets tricky. The Surface Go 4 isn't cheap, and once you add the keyboard and pen, you're looking at a total that could buy you a decent mid-range laptop with a much faster processor. The value proposition hinges entirely on the form factor. If you need the smallest possible Windows device with a touchscreen and stylus support, there's nothing else quite like it from Microsoft.

But compared to the competition, the math is rough. The iPad Pro M5 and Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra are in a completely different performance league, though they run different operating systems. The Lenovo Yoga Tab Plus and Xiaomi Pad 7 offer better specs for similar or less money, but again, they're Android or ChromeOS. If you're locked into Windows, the Surface Go 4 is one of the few games in town, and that scarcity is part of what you're paying for.

The Surface Go 4 is Microsoft's smallest business tablet, and it's aimed squarely at frontline workers, students, and anyone who needs a Windows machine that can disappear into a bag. At 522 grams with a 10.5-inch screen, it's the kind of device you forget you're carrying until you need it. The pitch is simple: full Windows 11 Pro in a package that weighs less than a hardcover book.

What makes this interesting is the Intel Processor N200 inside. It's a quad-core chip that's a step up from the Pentium Gold in the Surface Go 3, and Microsoft claims up to 80% faster performance. That's a big claim for a fanless tablet, and it matters because the Go line has always struggled with the gap between "portable" and "actually usable for real work."

But here's the thing. The Surface Go 4 sits in a weird spot. It's not cheap enough to be an impulse buy, not powerful enough to replace a laptop for most people, and the accessories that make it shine, like the keyboard and Surface Pen, are sold separately. That last part has already annoyed more than a few buyers who saw the keyboard in product photos and assumed it was in the box.

Skip this if you need a primary computer. The N200 processor and 10.5-inch screen make it a poor choice for anyone who spends hours a day in spreadsheets, code editors, or creative software. You'll be frustrated by the lag and the cramped display. Instead, look at a mid-range Windows laptop with a Core i5 or Ryzen 5, which will cost about the same once you factor in the Surface's keyboard and pen.

Also skip it if you're buying for media consumption. The screen is fine for casual video, but the speakers and display quality don't compete with the iPad or Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra, both of which offer far better entertainment experiences. And if you're on a tight budget, the Xiaomi Pad 7 delivers more performance per dollar, even if it runs Android instead of Windows.

If you're a frontline worker, a student who needs Windows for specific software, or someone who travels constantly and wants the lightest possible full-PC experience, the Surface Go 4 makes sense. The replaceable components are a genuine plus for businesses that want to extend device lifespan, and the build quality is excellent. Just budget for the keyboard and pen, because without them, you're getting half the experience.

For everyone else, think carefully. If you don't need Windows, the iPad or a high-end Android tablet will give you far more performance per dollar. If you do need Windows but don't need a tablet, a mid-range laptop will crush the Surface Go 4 on speed and screen size for the same money. This is a niche device that nails its niche, but it's not a general-purpose recommendation.