What To Know
- The Microsoft Surface Go has an impressive battery life of up to 9 hours on a single charge, while the Lenovo IdeaPad has a slightly shorter battery life of up to 8 hours.
- The Surface Go is a sleek and stylish device with a magnesium body and a kickstand that allows you to use it in various positions.
- The Microsoft Surface Go and the Lenovo IdeaPad are both budget-friendly laptops, with the Surface Go starting at $399 and the IdeaPad starting at $299.
The world of budget-friendly laptops has two formidable contenders: the Microsoft Surface Go and the Lenovo IdeaPad. Both devices offer a great balance of portability, performance, and affordability, making them ideal for students, business travelers, and anyone who needs a reliable companion for everyday tasks. But which one is the better choice for you? In this in-depth comparison, we’ll pit the Microsoft Surface Go against the Lenovo IdeaPad, exploring their key features, performance, design, and more, to help you make an informed decision.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Feature | Microsoft Surface Go | Lenovo IdeaPad |
| — | — | — |
| Display | 10.5-inch PixelSense | 11.6-inch IPS |
| Processor | Intel Pentium Gold 4425Y | Intel Celeron N4020 |
| RAM | 4GB or 8GB | 4GB or 8GB |
| Storage | 64GB, 128GB, or 256GB eMMC | 64GB, 128GB, or 256GB eMMC |
| Battery Life | Up to 9 hours | Up to 8 hours |
| Weight | 1.15 pounds | 2.42 pounds |
| Price | Starting at $399 | Starting at $299 |
Display
The Microsoft Surface Go boasts a vibrant 10.5-inch PixelSense display with a resolution of 1920 x 1280. This high-resolution display offers crisp visuals and excellent viewing angles, making it perfect for watching movies, browsing the web, or working on documents. The Lenovo IdeaPad, on the other hand, features an 11.6-inch IPS display with a resolution of 1366 x 768. While it’s not as sharp as the Surface Go’s display, it still provides good image quality for everyday use.
Performance
When it comes to performance, the Microsoft Surface Go has a slight edge over the Lenovo IdeaPad. It’s powered by an Intel Pentium Gold 4425Y processor, which offers better single-core performance than the Intel Celeron N4020 processor found in the IdeaPad. This makes the Surface Go more responsive for everyday tasks like web browsing, email, and office productivity. Both devices come with 4GB or 8GB of RAM, which is sufficient for handling basic multitasking.
Storage
Both the Microsoft Surface Go and the Lenovo IdeaPad offer limited storage options, with 64GB, 128GB, or 256GB of eMMC storage. eMMC storage is slower than traditional SSDs, but it’s still fast enough for most everyday tasks. If you need more storage, you can expand it using a microSD card.
Battery Life
Battery life is crucial for anyone who needs a laptop that can last all day. The Microsoft Surface Go has an impressive battery life of up to 9 hours on a single charge, while the Lenovo IdeaPad has a slightly shorter battery life of up to 8 hours. Both devices should provide enough power to get you through a full day of work or school without needing to recharge.
Design
The Microsoft Surface Go and the Lenovo IdeaPad have very different designs. The Surface Go is a sleek and stylish device with a magnesium body and a kickstand that allows you to use it in various positions. The IdeaPad, on the other hand, has a more traditional clamshell design with a plastic body. Both devices are lightweight and portable, making them easy to carry around.
Portability
One of the key advantages of budget-friendly laptops is their portability. The Microsoft Surface Go weighs just 1.15 pounds, making it one of the lightest laptops on the market. The Lenovo IdeaPad is slightly heavier at 2.42 pounds, but it’s still lightweight enough to carry around all day. Both devices have compact dimensions, making them easy to fit into a backpack or bag.
Price
The Microsoft Surface Go and the Lenovo IdeaPad are both budget-friendly laptops, with the Surface Go starting at $399 and the IdeaPad starting at $299. The price will vary depending on the configuration you choose, but both devices offer excellent value for money.
Which One Should You Choose?
The Microsoft Surface Go and the Lenovo IdeaPad are both great budget-friendly laptops, but they have different strengths and weaknesses. The Surface Go offers a better display, performance, and battery life, while the IdeaPad is more affordable and has a larger screen.
If you’re looking for a premium and versatile device with excellent performance and portability, the Microsoft Surface Go is the better choice. However, if you’re on a tight budget and prefer a larger screen, the Lenovo IdeaPad is a great option.
Alternatives to Consider
If you’re not sure whether the Microsoft Surface Go or the Lenovo IdeaPad is right for you, here are a few alternatives to consider:
- Acer Aspire 5: A budget-friendly laptop with a 15.6-inch display and a long battery life.
- ASUS VivoBook 15: A lightweight and affordable laptop with a 15.6-inch display and a sleek design.
- HP Chromebook 14: A Chrome OS laptop with a 14-inch display and a long battery life.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Which laptop has a better display?
The Microsoft Surface Go has a better display with higher resolution and better viewing angles.
2. Which laptop has better performance?
The Microsoft Surface Go has better performance with a faster processor and more RAM.
3. Which laptop has longer battery life?
The Microsoft Surface Go has longer battery life with up to 9 hours on a single charge.
4. Which laptop is more portable?
The Microsoft Surface Go is more portable with a lighter weight and smaller dimensions.
5. Which laptop is more affordable?
The Lenovo IdeaPad is more affordable with a starting price of $299.
