Microsoft is creating new Surface laptops at a rate that would make rabbits blush, which leaves potential buyers with one question: which Microsoft Surface should I buy? Having tested almost all the different Surface tablets since their first incarnations, we reveal your options.
Microsoft Surface Go
What is it? A 10in tablet with optional keyboard (that you really should buy) and limited power, but a lovely screen and high-quality feel. And it runs the full version of Windows, so it can do anything your PC can.
Best for people who…
- are on a more limited budget (but make sure you buy the 8GB version with a 128GB SSD)
- need a tiny machine that doesn’t take up much space
- are looking for an email checker/web browser/video player
Terrible for people who…
- want to do “real” work, eg spreadsheets or compare two documents side by side
Read our full Microsoft Surface Go review.
Microsoft Surface Book 2
What is it? A fully fledged laptop that also happens to have a detachable screen. Press a button and it becomes a 13in or 15in tablet (there are two versions of the Book 2 available).
Best for people who…
- need a laptop 80% of the time and a tablet (eg for annotating or drawing on) the other 20%
- want power… this machine has some serious welly
- value a proper keyboard
Terrible for people who…
- value portability over all other things… it’s heavy (1.5kg) and wide (312mm) versus an ultra-sleek 13in ultraportable such as the Huawei MateBook X Pro
- want the latest 8th Gen Intel Core processors, although we expect an update in early 2019
Read our full Microsoft Surface Book 2 review.
Microsoft Surface Pro 6
What is it? The “original” Surface tablet (ignoring the ill-fated Surface RT), with an optional keyboard that attaches magnetically.
Best for people who…
- need a tablet 80% of the time and a laptop 20% of the time
- want an ultra-light laptop for travel in particular
- will make full use of the touchscreen, eg for drawing or other creative work
Terrible for people who…
- need to type on their lap
- want USB-C ports
Microsoft Surface Laptop 2
What is it? A proper laptop. The 13.5in screen stays fixed at all times, but naturally it’s a touchscreen so you can still draw upon it.
Best for people who…
- want a sleek, powerful, light laptop (it’s 1.25kg)
- aren’t that bothered about tablet abilities such as drawing easily on the screen
- value design over repairability (although that’s true of all Surface machines)
Terrible for people…
- on a budget
- who primarily want to draw on the screen
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