Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 12.4" 2021, Core i5-1135G7, 16GB, 256GB SSD, Platinum

The Surface Laptop Go 2 lands at the 96th percentile for compactness, making it one of the most portable laptops in our database. At $299 USD refurbished with 16GB of RAM, it's a killer value for basic productivity. Just don't expect much from the screen, storage, or gaming performance.

The i5-1135G7 is a solid 11th-gen quad-core chip, but it's now a few generations old. In our database it lands at the 32nd percentile for CPUs, which translates to "fine for everyday stuff, not built for heavy lifting." Paired with 16GB of RAM, this thing handles browser tabs, Office apps, and video calls without breaking a sweat. Multiple owners specifically called out the fast performance for basic tasks, and that matches what we'd expect from this config.

The integrated Intel UHD Graphics are where things get rough. The GPU sits at the 14th percentile, and the gaming score is a brutal 4.4 out of 100. This is not a gaming laptop, not even a little. Light indie titles or browser games will run, but anything 3D is going to chug. The 256GB SSD is also on the small side at the 16th percentile, so you'll want to lean on cloud storage or an external drive.

Stacked against the competition, the Surface Laptop Go 2 wins on portability and price but loses almost everywhere else. The Apple MacBook Pro MWP72LL/A will crush it on screen quality, performance, and battery, but costs several times more. The HP OmniBook X Flip and ASUS Zenbook UX3405CA both offer better displays and newer CPUs, though they're bigger and pricier. The Lenovo IdeaPad 14AKP10 is probably the closest budget rival, but it's a 14-inch machine so it can't match the Go 2's compact footprint. If you want the smallest laptop for the least money, this is your pick. If you want anything beyond basic productivity, look elsewhere.

At $299 USD for a refurbished unit, the value math is pretty compelling. You're getting a 16GB RAM config that would have cost significantly more new, and the 4.2-star average across 95 reviews suggests most buyers feel good about what they paid. The CAD listings run 385-415, and the MXN listing sits at 5,699, so the US price is the standout deal. Just keep in mind that refurbished means a 90-day warranty and possibly a generic box, so you're trading some peace of mind for the savings.

The Surface Laptop Go 2 sits at the 96th percentile for compactness in our database, and that's the whole story in one stat. This is a 12.4-inch machine that nails the "grab it and go" brief. The 16GB of RAM in this refurbished config is a nice surprise too, since most Go 2 units shipped with 8GB. At $299 USD on Amazon Renewed, you're getting a lot of portability for not much cash.

But the numbers also tell you where the corners got cut. The screen lands at the 41st percentile, the CPU at 32nd, and storage at 16th. That 256GB SSD is tight, and the 1536 x 1024 resolution is fine but nothing to write home about. User sentiment sits at 36th percentile with a 72/100 score, which means owners mostly like it but there are some real gripes mixed in. The 4.2-star average across 95 reviews backs that up.

Skip this if you need any kind of graphical horsepower. The gaming score of 4.4 out of 100 and the 14th percentile GPU ranking mean this machine will frustrate anyone trying to play games or do video editing. Also skip it if you need lots of local storage, since 256GB at the 16th percentile fills up fast. And if you're sensitive to fan noise or worried about refurbished reliability, the mixed battery and charger complaints in the user reviews are worth taking seriously. This is a basic productivity machine, nothing more.

The Surface Laptop Go 2 is a niche machine that absolutely nails its niche. The 96th percentile compactness score combined with 16GB of RAM and a sub-$300 refurbished price makes this a genuinely smart buy for students, travelers, or anyone who values portability above all else. The 4.2-star rating and positive sentiment around value for money back that up. Just go in with clear eyes: the screen is average, the storage is tight, and gaming is basically off the table. If those trade-offs work for you, this is an easy recommendation.