Microsoft Ends Support for the Surface Laptop Go: A Short-Lived Entry-LevelOffering
Four years after its launch in October 2020, thefirst-generation Surface Laptop Go has reached the end of its software support lifecycle. This marks the end of the road for Microsoft’s entry-level laptop,which was initially priced at $550, a seemingly attractive price point for budget-conscious consumers.
The Surface Laptop Go was positioned as a reliableoption for those who couldn’t afford the more expensive Surface Laptop 3. However, the $550 price tag came with a rather underwhelming configuration. For that amount, users received a laptop powered by a 10th-generation Intel Corei5 processor, 4GB of RAM, and 64GB of eMMC storage, despite its premium build quality. Upgrading to 8GB of RAM and at least 128GB of SSD storage required an additional $150, bringing the price close to the Surface Laptop 3, which offered significantly better display, materials, and overall upgrades.
The Surface Laptop Go was one of the few Surface devices to feature a fingerprint sensor instead of a Windows Hello-compatible camera. However, the fingerprint sensor was not available on the base model,requiring users to opt for the $700 or higher configurations.
Despite its portable form factor, fast fingerprint sensor, and sleek design, the Surface Laptop Go faced criticism for its poor battery life, low-resolution display, and lack of a backlit keyboard. Many considered the base model a joke, simply amarketing ploy for Microsoft to claim it had a Surface Laptop for $550.
Compared to other Surface devices launched around the same time, the Surface Laptop Go had a relatively short lifespan. It received only four years of active support through regular firmware and driver updates. For comparison, the Surface Laptop 3 enjoyed a five-year support lifecycle.
As usual, it’s important to note that the end of support only applies to hardware and firmware. If your Surface Laptop Go is still functioning well, you can continue using it. Additionally, it will continue to receive Windows updates, including the recently released Windows 11.
The discontinuation of support for the Surface Laptop Go highlights the rapid pace of technological advancements and the evolving needs of consumers. While the device offered a budget-friendly option, its limitations and short lifespan ultimately made it a less compelling choice for many.
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