Choosing the perfect tablet can be daunting. Performance, storage, special features, software, and even design all come into play. And, with so many tablets, tablet manufacturers, and even operating systems to choose from, making the right decision becomes increasingly difficult. If you’ve narrowed your decision down to the Surface Go 2 vs the Surface Pro 7, you’re in the right place.
This Surface Go 2 vs Surface Pro 7 comparison will explain all the differences and similarities by walking you through all the nooks and crannies of each tablet. I’ve grown particularly fond of these Windows-based tablets, and I think you’ll know exactly why by the end of this article. Enjoy.
Surface Go 2 vs Surface Pro 7 – Product Intro
Surface Go 2
Microsoft released the Surface Go 2 in 2020. The Surface Go product lineup is a cheap alternative to Microsoft’s more expensive and better-performing Surface Pro lineup. Two configurations are available depending on the CPU, RAM, and storage you choose, along with whether or not you want 4G connectivity.
Pros:
- Lower price
- Great entry-level device
- Smaller size
- Solid battery life
Cons:
- Less powerful hardware
- Smaller storage options
Surface Pro 7
Microsoft released the Surface Pro 7 six months earlier, in 2019. The Surface Pro lineup costs more but offers significantly better performance. You can choose between three CPUs, three RAM configurations, and four storage configurations. These choices become limited if you choose a 4G Surface Pro 7 because only one CPU supports LTE connectivity.
Pros:
- Better Performance
- Larger Display
- Larger RAM
- Faster Wi-Fi
Cons:
- Price
- Battery
| Surface Go 2 | Specs | Surface Pro 7 |
|---|---|---|
| 10.5” PixelSense | Display | 12.3-inch PixelSense |
| 1,920 x 1,280 (220 PPI) | Resolution | 2,736 x 1,824 (267 PPI) |
| Windows 10 Home S | OS | Windows 10 Home S |
| • Dual-core Intel Pentium Gold 4425Y (1.7 GHz) • Dual-core 8th-Gen Intel Core m3 (1.1 – 3.40 GHz) | CPU | • Dual-core 11th-Gen Intel Core i3-1115G4 (1.2 – 3.4 GHz) (Wi-Fi) • Quad-core 11th-Gen Intel Core i5-1135G7 (1.1 – 3.7 GHz) (Wi-Fi or LTE) • Quad-core 11th-Gen Intel Core i7-1165G7 (1.3 – 3.9 GHz) (Wi-Fi) |
| 4GB or 8GB LPDDR3 | RAM | 8GB or 16GB LPDDR4x RAM (Wi-Fi or LTE) |
| eMMC 64GB SSD 128GB SSD 256GB | Storage | 128GB or 256GB (Wi-Fi or LTE) 512GB or 1TB (Wi-Fi) |
| 8MP 1080p HD | Rear Camera | 8MP 1080p HD |
| 5MP 1080p HD | Front Camera | 5MP 1080p HD |
| Wi-Fi 5 Bluetooth 5.0 Nano SIM & eSIM 4G | Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6 Bluetooth 5.0 Nano-SIM & eSIM 4G |
| 3,500 mAh Up to 11 hours of typical use (Wi-Fi) Up to 10.5 hours (LTE) | Battery | 5,702 mAh Up to 10 hours of typical use |
| 1 x USB-C 3.5mm audio jack 1 x Surface Connect MicroSDXC Card Reader 1 x nano SIM (LTE) | Ports | 1 x USB-C 1 x full-size USB-A 3.5mm jack 1 x Surface Connect port Surface Type Cover port MicroSDXC card reader (Wi-Fi) 1 x nano SIM (LTE) |
| 9.65 x 6.9 x 0.33” (245 x 175 x 8.3mm) | Dimensions | 11.5” x 7.9” x 0.33” (292 mm x 201 mm x 8.5 mm) |
| Wi-Fi – 1.2 lb (544g) LTE – 1.22 lb (533g) | Weight | i3, i5 (Wi-Fi): 1.70 lb (770 g) i5 (LTE): 1.75 lb (796 g) i7 (Wi-Fi): 1.73 lb (784 g) |
| • 1-year limited hardware warranty | Warranty | • 1-year limited hardware warranty • Advanced Exchange warranty service with expedited device replacement |
Features Face to Face
Design
The Surface Go 2 and the Surface Pro 7 look similar enough, as do most of the Surface tablets. The most evident difference is their size. The Pro 7 is larger, with two inches more in length, and one more in height. This enabled Microsoft to pack a larger display into the Surface Pro 7. Apart from that, these tablets are very similar in design.
Both have kickstands for support in upright positions, and most buttons, slots, ports, cameras, and microphones are located in the same positions. The speakers are positioned differently, with the Surface Pro 7 featuring side speakers while the Surface Go 2 has them positioned on the front, just above the display.
Winner: Surface Pro 7
Display
Microsoft used the same PixelSense tech for both devices, the only difference being display size. The Surface Go 2 has a 10.5” display with a 1,920 x 1,280 resolution at 220 PPI (pixels per inch). The Surface Pro 7 has a 12.3” display with a 2,736 x 1,824 resolution at 267 PPI. The resolution difference alone offers a much clearer visual experience on the Pro 7.
Winner: Surface Pro 7
Looking for a large-screen tablet? Look no more – read our guide!
Audio
On paper, the Surface Go 2 wins because it has dual 2W speakers that offer Dolby® Audio™. They sound good for a tablet. The Surface Pro 7 has dual 1.6W speakers with Dolby® Audio™, and yet, somehow, they not only sound better, but they’re louder as well. Go figure, or should I say Pro? Because the Pro 7 wins here, without a doubt.
Both tablets have a feature I adore and would like to see kept by tablet manufacturers more often – the 3.5mm audio jack. This might seem like a surplus in the age of Bluetooth speakers and earbuds, but what happens if you need to hook up an older Hi-Fi system that lacks new connection options? You can’t. Well, here you can.
Winner: Surface Pro 7
Hardware & Performance
Choosing the right hardware configuration can be tricky with these tablets, simply because there are several options to choose from. And they depend most on whether or not you want 4G connectivity, in the case of the Pro 7 at least. Both CPU configurations are available with 4G for the Surface Go 2. That’s not the case with the Surface Pro 7.
| Surface Go 2 | RAM | Storage | Connectivity | Amazon Listing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intel Pentium Gold 4425Y | 4GB | 64GB | Wi-Fi | Check Price on Amazon |
| Intel Pentium Gold 4425Y | 8GB | 128GB | Wi-Fi | Check Price on Amazon |
| Intel Core m3 | 4GB | 64GB | Wi-Fi | Check Price on Amazon |
| Intel Core m3 | 8GB | 128GB | LTE | Check Price on Amazon |
| Intel Core m3 | 8GB | 256GB | LTE | Check Price on Amazon |
Thankfully, the best versions of the Surface Go 2 support LTE, which is not the case for some other tablets, such as iPads. Kudos to Microsoft! While neither of these CPUs will leave you breathless, the Intel m3 outperforms the Pentium Gold by 82%. Add to that the fact the m3 supports LTE, and choosing the perfect Surface Go 2 becomes easier.
| Surface Pro 7 | RAM | Storage | Connectivity | Amazon Listing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intel Core i3 | 4GB | 128GB | Wi-Fi | Check Price on Amazon |
| Intel Core i3 | 8GB | 128GB | Wi-Fi | N/A |
| Intel Core i5 | 8GB | 128GB | LTE | Check Price on Amazon |
| Intel Core i5 | 8GB | 256GB | LTE | Check Price on Amazon |
| Intel Core i7 | 16GB | 256GB | Wi-Fi | Check Price on Amazon |
| Intel Core i7 | 16GB | 512GB | Wi-Fi | Check Price on Amazon |
| Intel Core i7 | 16GB | 1TB | Wi-Fi | Check Price on Amazon |
The Surface Pro 7 is a whole other animal. Microsoft offers three CPUs to choose from when deciding on a Pro 7. These are from the well-known Intel i3, i5, and i7 CPU series, but there’s a catch. If you want the best of the batch, you’ll have to forgo LTE connectivity. Same case with the i3. The Quad-core 11th-Gen Intel Core i5-1135G7 is the only offered CPU that supports LTE.
This makes choosing a specific Surface Pro 7 version difficult. Should you go for an LTE version, something without which I think tablets are all but useless, or do I get the most powerful and forgo LTE connectivity? Not an ideal situation, option-wise. Nevertheless, there’s no doubt which tablet has the better hardware – the Surface Pro 7! Just look at the benchmark results.
Interestingly enough, benchmark results actually place the Intel i5 Surface Pro 7 higher in both single and multi-core performance than the Intel i7 version. I know which one I’d choose.
Winner: Surface Pro 7
Operating System (OS), Software, and User Interface (UI)
These Microsoft tablets are powered by Windows 10 Home in S Mode. Both can be upgraded to Windows 11 Home in S Mode upon purchase. S Mode means you can only install apps from the Microsoft Store. This is limiting, especially if you require specific software that’s not available there. Thankfully, it’s easy to switch to a normal Windows Home installation, though you can’t switch back.
If you’re a Windows user on your PC or laptop, you’ll feel right at home on either of these devices. The interface is the same as on your other Windows devices, with the added benefit of a touchscreen display. That doesn’t mean you can’t hook up a mouse or keyboard, but we’ll get into that later.
Winner: Draw
Also Read: Our Compilation of Best Windows Tablets
Camera
Both devices have the same camera setup. The rear has an 8MP autofocus full HD camera that records video at 1080p. The front is fitted with a 5MP camera with 1080p recording capabilities without autofocus. The fact that the Surface Pro 7 has a better display plays into how images and video you record look, though there’s not much difference when you view them on a third device.
Winner: Draw
Accessories & Peripherals
The Surface Go 2 and the Surface Pro 7 were both envisioned as 2-in-1 devices, and that means keyboards (sold separately). Pen use is also a plus with tablets. It’s pretty much the same end result, whichever of the two you choose because they support the same keyboards and styluses. To a certain degree, and with the right accessories, these tablets can replace your laptop or PC, allowing you to get your work done almost anywhere.
Winner: Surface Pro 7
Also Read: Best Tablets With Keyboards: Buying Guide
Battery
The Surface Pro 7 wins on paper if you consider only battery mAh, but they have almost the same number of hours of “typical use.” The Surface Go 2 is marketed as offering up to 10 hours, while the Surface Pro 7 offers 10.5 hours of typical use. Keep in mind that this is not an exact science, and your tablet’s battery life will mostly depend on how you use it.
Winner: Surface Pro 7
Surface Go 2 vs Surface Pro 7 – Quality and Reliability
Warranty & Customer Support
Microsoft offers a one-year limited hardware warranty at no charge. This can be extended through subscription-based packages for several years. The Surface Pro 7 offers another warranty package called Advanced Exchange warranty service with expedited device replacement. I think it’s pretty self-explanatory.
Price
Prices for these tablets are all across the board, anywhere from $240 for a renewed Surface Go 2, to $1,000 for an i7 Surface Pro 7 with 1TB of storage. Both tablets have been replaced by their respective successors (the Surface Go 3 and Surface Pro 8 & 9), so you can’t get them from Microsoft directly, only from resellers.
Conclusion
As always, my closing thoughts are that your choice depends mostly on you, your needs, and of course, your budget. I always place requirements first when choosing, then adjust my budget as needed, wait a bit if I have to save up, and then make the best purchase based on my needs. There’s nothing worse than spending money on a device that just doesn’t cut it.
There’s no doubt which tablet wins in this Surface Go 2 vs Surface Pro 7 comparison. Counting the wins for the Surface Pro 7 in this comparison proves it wins by a long shot, but it comes at a justifiably higher price because of that.
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