Thursday, May 28, 2020
The Surface Go 2 is Microsoft's latest entry-level, baby Surface, and it's turning quite a few heads. It isn't the first small Surface, nor is it the only choice for someone who wants a small, highly-portable Windows 10 machine. There are some good alternatives out there, like the affordable Chuwi Hi10 X.
Best Overall: Chuwi Hi10 X
One of the attractions to the Surface Go 2 is the price, as you get a good experience without breaking the bank. And the same can be said of the Chuwi Hi10 X. It's all-metal, making it feel more expensive than it is, and has a similar-sized display to the Surface Go 2 at 10.1-inches.
The Chuwi Hi10 X also has an optional a detachable keyboard cover and pen, sold separately, that turns the tablet into a small laptop. It's nice to have them in the box, but compared to the added cost of a keyboard and pen for the Surface Go 2; it's extremely affordable.
It also has 128GB storage and 6GB RAM, along with a 2.4 GHz N4100 Intel Celeron processor. It's not going to break any performance records, but it should be more than enough to get you through lighter work, and it's incredibly portable, just like a Surface Go 2.
Pros
- Affordable
- Nice size screen
- Full HD display
- Metal chassis
Cons
- Only a Celeron processor
- Keyboard and pen optional extras
Best Overall
Chuwi Hi10 X
Affordable and with many Surface-like features
If you're looking for an affordable alternative to a Surface Go 2, then this is the one to get, but make sure to snag the optional keyboard and pen as well.
Best Convertible: HP Pavilion x360 11-inch
Like the Surface Go 2, the HP Pavilion x360 11-inch appeals on several fronts. It's not very expensive, it's small, it has a touchscreen, and you can use it as a tablet. Versatility is definitely a strong point.
And of course, because this is a laptop, you don't have to spend extra to get a keyboard, it's just there always. If you want to kick back and watch a movie or read a book, just fold it around out of the way.
Inside is an Intel Pentium processor paired with 4GB of RAM and 128GB SSD storage, so it can certainly hang with the most affordable Surface Go 2. Unfortunately, the display is only 768p, but the Pavilion x360 makes up for it by having a bunch of ports, including HDMI, USB-C, and a pair of USB-A 3.1.
Pros
- Affordable
- Compact size
- Lots of ports
- Display folds right round
Cons
- Lower resolution screen
- No official pen support
Best Convertible
HP Pavilion x360 11-inch
A small, capable, convertible laptop
There are tradeoffs in places, but this is an affordable, compact laptop with touch and USB-C, and the keyboard comes included!
More Power: Surface Pro 7
Featuring an incredible 2736x1842 3:2 display, 10th gen Intel Core i3, i5 or i7 processors, up to 16GB RAM, and a 512GB SSD, you get an awful lot of hardware inside the latest Surface Pro. It's essentially just a direct but larger alternative to the Surface Go, with a larger 12-inch screen and beefier internal specifications.
It is, however, considerably more expensive than the Surface Go. Just like the Surface Go, it also doesn't come with the Type Cover bundled as standard, though there are certainly packages available with it included. The extra size makes the Surface Pro 7 a little more like
Battery life on the Surface Pro 7 is pretty good, in part, thanks to the 10th gen Intel processors that are more efficient than their predecessors. It also has a USB-C port, not only for data transfer but also charging, and it comes in two colors. If you're looking for the Surface Go 2 but with more power, this is the one to get.
Pros
- 10th Gen Intel Core i processors
- Good battery life
- Choice of colors
- Excellent build quality and design
Cons
- No LTE option
- Can get much more expensive
More Power
Microsoft Surface Pro 7 + Type Cover bundle
A bigger Surface Go 2
The Surface Pro 7 is a true 2-in-1 that feels like a tablet, with the bonus of becoming a laptop when you need it.
Always Connected: Lenovo Yoga C630
The Surface Go 2 comes with an LTE option, but it isn't a true always-connected PC. That's where the Qualcomm Snapdragon-powered Yoga C630 comes in from Lenovo. The 8-core ARM processor not only gives you the power to run Windows 10, but also an LTE connection that's always on while running cool and whisper-quiet.
The laptop itself also sports SSD storage and 4GB or 8GB of RAM as well as a 13.3-inch 1080p touch display with pen support, albeit the latter is an additional purchase. And as this is a Yoga product, it's also a convertible, so that display folds all the way around into tablet mode, or anywhere else in between.
You also get true all-day battery life, and a little beyond even, with more than 15 hours of real-world use possible on a single charge. It's beautifully designed, exceptionally well made, and thanks to the recent market availability of factory refurbished units, now extremely affordable.
Pros
- Traditional 2-in-1 design.
- Good typing.
- 15+ hours of real-world battery.
- 4G LTE with optional eSIM.
Cons
- Display colors are just OK
- Weak webcam
- Pen is extra
Always Connected
Lenovo Yoga C630
A convertible laptop with exceptional battery life and 4G LTE that doesn't break the bank.
The Lenovo Yoga C630 is a classic 2-in-1 laptop with modest looks, but it packs crazy multi-day battery life, 8GB of RAM, and 4G LTE to keep you working on the go.
The bottom line
The Surface Go 2 is a stand-out product, but it's also not the only small, capable, affordable Windows 10 machine out there. The Chuwi Hi10 X is a solid alternative with a very appealing price tag.
In many areas, it matches the experience you can get from a Surface Go 2, all the time while costing a decent bit less. There are some compromises, such as the outright performance, but it's a solid design and build and a testament to the strength of the Windows 10 ecosystem.
It isn't alone in being an excellent alternative to the Surface Go 2, but it's a good place to start if the idea of a small, affordable Windows machine is appealing to you.
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