The Microsoft Surface 2020 range now includes a ‘budget’ Surface Laptop Go and the Surface Pro X – a Windows on ARM device.
The Surface 2020 range adds the 12.4” Surface Laptop Go that fits between the 10.5” Surface Go 2 hybrid and the 13.5/15” Surface Laptop 3. The 13” Surface Pro X is for those wanting an ARM-based device for extra-long battery life.
What is a Surface?
In case you did not know its Microsoft’s reference line of PCs to give you the best, pure Windows experience. Similar in concept to Google Pixel and Apple Mac/iPad.
There is a certain design cred just lie Apple with its macOS and iOS products. That philosophy has remained since its Surface (Window RT) back October 2012. The Windows version came in February 2013. It is characterised by excellent, usually 3:2 ratio screens, mag alloy chassis, and yes, a pure Windows experience.
Surface 2020 range additions
Surface Laptop Go 2020
To help you position it, we have placed relevant Surface Laptop 3 13.5” specs in brackets.
- 12.4” 1536×1024, 148PPI, 3:2, touch but not pen-enabled (13.5” 2256×1504, 201PPI, 3:2, Pen enabled)
- Intel i5-1035G1 (Intel i5-1035G7 or i7-1065G7)
- Intel UHD Graphics (Intel Iris Plus Graphics)
- 4/8GB LPDDR4x (8/16GB LPDDR4X)
- 64GB eMMC or128/256GB SSD (removable 128/256/512GB or 1TB PCIe NVMe SSD)
- Wi-Fi AX and BT 5.0 (same)
- 39W charger, fast charge and 13-hour battery (11.5-hours)
- USB-C (presume 3.1/Gen 2 5Gbps), USB-A (ditto), 3.5mm combo audio and Surface Ribbon Connect
- Power button Fingerprint reader [Not on i5/4/64GB model] (Windows Hello Face ID)
- 720p f/2.0 forward-facing camera (Windows Hello and 720p camera)
- Omnisonic Speakers with Dolby Audio (same)
- Dual far-field Studio Mics
- Windows 10 S Mode upgradable (Windows Home)
- Top: Aluminium. Base: Polycarbonate composite resin system with glass fibre. (Full Aluminium with Alcantara palm rest option)
- Ice Blue, Sandstone and Platinum
- 278.18 mm x 205.67 mm x 15.69 mm x 1110g (308 mm x 223 mm x 14.5 mm x 1265/1288g)
- From $999 (from $1699)
The key takeaway is no S Pen and 1” approx. smaller screen.
Retail Pricing:
- Base i5/4/64 $999
- i5/8/128 or 256 $1249/1549
Education pricing is the same with the addition of a 15/16/256GB Model for $1849
Commercial pricing is approx. $150 more and includes the commercial warranty.
Surface Pro X 2020
The primary difference between the Surface Pro X 2019 (review here 4.2/5) is the Microsoft SQ 2 chip (based on Qualcomm SD865).
If you want to know more about WOA, please read our review and Microsoft’s article here. In essence, it is an ARM chip running a version of Windows. For the most part, the average user would not know – its power users that need Intel or AMD x86.
It runs x32/32-bit Windows apps and Microsoft will expand support for x64 apps with x64 emulation starting to roll out later this year. Developers now have access to the Visual Studio code that runs natively.
Let’s just say that if you go the Windows on ARM route, make sure the software you need to run works.
Basic specs
- 13” 2880×1920, 267PPI, 3:2
- Microsoft SQ2 processor with Adreno 690 GPU
- 8/16GB LPDDR4X
- 128/256/512GB SSD
- Battery – not specified but up to 15 hours
- 2xUSB-C (presume 3.2/Gen 2 10Gbps ALT DP), Surface Ribbon connect
- Nano SIM for Qualcomm X24 modem Bands: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 66
- Wi-Fi 5 AC, BT 5, GPS
- Windows Hello 1080p front camera and 10MP rear camera
- 2W stereo speakers with Dolby Audio sound and dual field Studio Mics
- 287 mm x 208 mm x 7.3 mm x 774g
- Anodised aluminium and carbon composite fanless cooling
- Windows 10 Home on ARM
Price – Surface Pro X 2020 and specific accessories
- 16/256 or 512GB $2449/2899
- Commercial price and warranty add $150
- Madina Keyboard Bundle (Black Pen) $469.95
- Keyboard $219.95
- Slim Pen $259.95
Surface Accessories
- Designer Compact Keyboard. Slim, narrow and elegant keyboard for productivity with Bluetooth seamlessly switching between 3 devices, 2-year battery life, two colour options. $119.95
- Number Pad is a slim, modern pad with Bluetooth wireless that enables you to get the most out of your Surface or modern PC. $49.95
- 4K Wireless Display Adapter. $119.95
- Bluetooth Ergonomic Mouse with a soft thumb rest, a light and durable design, and two customisable buttons. Available in several colours. $79.95
- Modern Mobile Mouse, now available in Sandstone, is lightweight. $54.95
