Surface Go vs Apple iPad: Which is better?

FCC documents highlighted that Microsoft was about to release a new Surface tablet. Now Microsoft has duly announced the Surface Go tablet on Windows Blogs. That is a successor to the Surface 3 tablet and Microsoft’s most economical Surface tablet to date.

Microsoft announced the Surface Go will be available for pre-order from July 10, 2018. The tablet will be more widely available from August 2. The tablet is retailing at $399.99, but that RRP increases with the inclusion of its Type Cover keyboard and stylus pen accessories. With a the keyboard and pen included, the Surface Go will be available at $597.

Surface Go specs

Microsoft has already revealed full specifications for the Surface Go. It includes an Intel Pentium Gold processor that clocks in at 1.6 Ghz. The tablet‘s storage ranges from 64 GB-256 GB. The Surface Go can include 4-8 GB RAM depending on configuration. The tablet‘s 10-inch display has a resolution amounting to 1,800 x 1,200.

The Surface Go includes front and rear cameras for photography with five and eight megapixel resolutions. The tablet also includes a microSD slot, which is a good addition for photographers. You can transfer your photos to the Surface Go directly from camera SD cards via the microSD slot.

A USB Type-C 3.1 port is another welcome addition to the Surface Go. That is the emerging industry standard port which boasts a much faster data transfer than USB 3.0. Most Surface laptops don’t include USB-C ports, and Microsoft has released a USB-C dongle for the Surface Pro. However, you won’t need a USB-C adapter for the Go tablet.

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Head-on collision: The Surface Go vs the iPad

Microsoft is launching the Surface Go to take on the Apple iPad 9.7, which is the budget iPad. The Surface Go’s RAM and storage specifications certainly compare favorably with the iPad 9.7. The Go tablet can pack up to eight GB RAM compared with the iPad 9.7’s two GB. The 9.7’s maximum storage is 128 GB, while Surface Go users can upgrade to 256 GB storage.

There is not much difference between the tablets‘ batteries. Microsoft states that the Surface Go battery can last up to nine hours. Apple claims the iPad 97’s battery will last for 10 hours without recharge.

The Surface Go’s display is perhaps one weak spot. The iPad 9.7 boasts a 1,536 x 2,048 display resolution, which is a higher resolution than the Surface Go. Even the Surface 3 has a higher display resolution than the Go tablet. Note, however, that you can hook the Go tablet up with a 2K VDU (Visual Display Unit) via its Surface Connect port.

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A built-in kickstand is a handy addition to the Surface Go, which is another thing the iPad 9.7 does not include. That kickstand enables users to stand the tablet on surfaces, which is handy for video playback. The kickstand tilts the tablet at a 165 angle.

When it comes to RRP, however, the iPad 9.7 is the most economical tablet. The iPad 9.7 is retailing at $329, which is about $70 less than the Go. An additional Logitech keyboard and stylus pen increases the iPad 9.7’s price to $527.95, but it remains less expensive than the Go tablet.

So, the iPad 9.7 still remains the best value tablet. That might be a decisive factor in the 9.7’s favor when the Surface Go launches in August. Nevertheless, with a built-in kickstand, plenty of RAM, a USB-C port, microSD slot, greater storage and a touchpad keyboard, the Surface Go has enough in its armory to be a worthy alternative to the iPad 9.7.

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