Microsoft officially announces the end of software support for the first generation of Surface Laptop Go, which was launched in October 2020 as an economical option within the Surface device series. After four years of use, this device reaches the end of its journey in terms of updates, joining the list of devices no longer supported by the company.
At launch, the Surface Laptop Go aimed to provide a laptop with suitable specifications and an attractive price starting at $550. However, it faced criticism for its limited performance compared to similar devices like the Surface Laptop 3. The base model came with an Intel Core i5 processor from the tenth generation, 4GB of RAM, and 64GB eMMC storage. These specifications made it accessible to users looking for a cost-effective device, but it did not meet the expectations of demanding users.
If users wanted to upgrade the RAM to 8GB or switch to a larger SSD storage capacity, they had to pay an additional $150, making the price difference between it and the Surface Laptop 3 minimal. The latter offered a better screen and higher build quality, making some users prefer it over the Surface Laptop Go.
On the other hand, the Surface Laptop Go stood out with features like the fingerprint sensor, which was only available in the more expensive versions. The base model, sold for $550, did not include this feature, raising some criticisms about the attractiveness of this version to users.
Despite the criticisms, the device received praise in some reviews for its stylish design and lightweight, making it suitable for portability. However, some flaws were noted such as the weak battery life, low screen resolution, and lack of keyboard backlight, affecting the user experience.
The device did not have a long lifecycle like other devices in the Surface series. Software support ended after four years, while some other devices like the Surface Laptop 3 continued to receive updates for five years. Nevertheless, the device is still capable of running current updates for Windows, including Windows 11 24H2, making it a usable option for those who own it.
In June 2022, Microsoft launched the second generation of Surface Laptop Go, which came with a similar design but ditched the eMMC storage and relied on a minimum 128GB SSD. The base model price increased to $600, however, the second generation will receive a longer support cycle extending to 2028.
