Surface Go 2 Student Use: Essential Guide
The Surface Go 2 is a fantastic, affordable tablet for students, offering a portable Windows experience perfect for note-taking, research, and light productivity. This guide covers everything you need to know to make it your go-to study companion.
Hey there! Choosing the right tech for school can feel overwhelming, right? You want something that’s easy to carry, great for working on, and won’t break the bank. That’s where the Microsoft Surface Go 2 shines for students. It’s like a super-powered notebook that can do so much more.
If you’re wondering if the Surface Go 2 is the right fit for your academic life, you’ve come to the right place. We’re going to dive into its features, show you how to make the most of it for your studies, and help you decide if it’s the perfect student companion. Let’s get started!
Surface Go 2: Your Portable Study Powerhouse
The Microsoft Surface Go 2 is designed to be your everyday companion, and for students, it packs a serious punch in a small, lightweight package. Think of it as your digital backpack – always ready to go and packed with what you need for classes, lectures, and late-night study sessions.
Portability and Design: Small Size, Big Impact
One of the biggest wins for the Surface Go 2 is its size. It’s incredibly lightweight and compact, measuring just 10.1 x 6.9 x 0.3 inches and weighing around 1.2 pounds (544g). This makes it a dream to slip into any backpack or even a large purse without adding much bulk.
Lighter than most textbooks: You’ll barely notice it’s there.
Durable build: The magnesium alloy casing feels premium and can handle the bumps of student life.
Kickstand: This is a game-changer! The built-in adjustable kickstand lets you prop it up at almost any angle, perfect for typing or watching lectures.
Display: Clear and Vivid Viewing
The 10.5-inch PixelSense™ display is crisp and clear, making it great for reading textbooks, browsing articles, and even watching educational videos. The 1920 x 1280 resolution means text is sharp and images look good. Plus, its 3:2 aspect ratio is fantastic for productivity tasks, giving you more vertical screen space than traditional 16:9 screens. This means less scrolling when viewing documents and web pages.
Performance: Getting Your Tasks Done
While it’s not designed for heavy gaming or demanding video editing, the Surface Go 2 is more than capable of handling everyday student tasks. It runs Windows 10 (upgradeable to Windows 11), giving you access to a familiar operating system and all the software you’ll likely need:
Microsoft Office Suite: Word, Excel, PowerPoint – it runs them all smoothly.
Web Browsing: Multiple tabs are no problem for research.
Note-taking apps: Perfect for jotting down ideas and lecture notes.
Streaming: Enjoy lectures or unwind with your favorite shows.
The Surface Go 2 typically comes with either an Intel Pentium Gold or an Intel Core m3 processor, paired with 4GB or 8GB of RAM. For a smoother experience with more multitasking, we highly recommend aiming for the 8GB RAM configuration.
Making the Surface Go 2 Your Ultimate Study Tool
The real magic of the Surface Go 2 for students lies in how you can customize and adapt it to your workflow. It’s more than just a tablet; it can transform into a capable laptop with a few accessories.
The Type Cover: Essential For Typing
While you can use the touchscreen, typing extensively on a virtual keyboard can be slow and frustrating. The Microsoft Surface Go Type Cover is an absolute must-have accessory for any student.
Full Keyboard Experience: It transforms your Go 2 into a mini laptop.
Built-in Trackpad: Allows for precise cursor control, which is essential for navigating documents and web pages.
Detachable: When you just want to use it as a tablet for reading or note-taking, you can easily detach it.
Variety of Colors: You can even pick one that matches your style!
The Surface Pen: Precision Note-Taking
For students who prefer to take handwritten notes, draw diagrams, or annotate PDFs, the Surface Pen is another crucial accessory. It’s designed to feel natural in your hand, mimicking the experience of writing with a pen on paper.
Pressure Sensitivity: Allows for natural-looking strokes, from thin lines to bold ones.
Tilt Support: Great for shading when drawing.
Programmable Button: You can set it to function as an eraser or to launch your favorite app, like OneNote.
Pairing the Surface Pen with apps like Microsoft OneNote or OneNote for Windows 10 can revolutionize your note-taking. Imagine attending a lecture, digitally jotting down notes, highlighting key points, and even embedding audio recordings – all on one device.
Software Essentials for Students
The Windows 10/11 operating system on the Surface Go 2 opens up a world of software. Here are a few essentials:
Microsoft 365 (formerly Office 365): Access Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneDrive. Many universities offer free or discounted subscriptions to students through their .edu email addresses. Be sure to check with your school’s IT department!
Web Browsers: Chrome, Firefox, Edge – use what you’re most comfortable with for research.
Note-Taking Apps:
OneNote: Free, powerful, and integrates seamlessly with the Surface Pen.
Evernote: Great for organizing notes, web clippings, and ideas.
Notion: A versatile workspace for notes, databases, and project management.
PDF Readers/Annotators: Adobe Acrobat Reader (free) or apps like Xodo allow you to mark up PDFs, which is super handy for course materials.
Cloud Storage: OneDrive (integrated with Microsoft 365), Google Drive, or Dropbox are essential for backing up your work and accessing files from anywhere.
Surface Go 2 vs. Other Tablets for Students: What’s the Difference?
It’s easy to look at the Surface Go 2 and compare it to other tablets. Here’s a quick breakdown of where it stands, especially for student use.
| Feature | Microsoft Surface Go 2 (Typical Student Config.) | Apple iPad (Standard Model) | Samsung Galaxy Tab S7/S7 FE |
| :—————— | :———————————————– | :——————————————- | :—————————————— |
| Operating System | Windows 10/11 | iPadOS | Android |
| Laptop Experience | Excellent (with Type Cover) | Good (with Magic Keyboard/Smart Keyboard) | Good (with Book Cover Keyboard) |
| App Ecosystem | Full Windows desktop apps | Robust app store, optimized for iPad | Robust Google Play Store, optimized for Android |
| Note-Taking | Excellent (with Surface Pen) | Excellent (with Apple Pencil) | Excellent (with S Pen) |
| Portability | Excellent (1.2 lbs) | Very Good (1.07 – 1.18 lbs) | Very Good (1.15 – 1.27 lbs) |
| Price Point | Affordable (especially for Windows option) | Mid-range | Mid-to-High range |
| Best For | Running full desktop apps, Windows users | Simplicity, creative apps, iOS ecosystem | Android users, multitasking features |
The Surface Go 2’s main advantage is its ability to run full desktop Windows applications. If your coursework or specific software requires Windows, it’s a clear winner for a portable device in its price range. While iPads and Android tablets are excellent in their own right, they typically run mobile-optimized apps, which might not be sufficient for all academic needs.
Optimizing Your Surface Go 2 for Productivity
To truly unlock the potential of your Surface Go 2 for student life, a few smart optimizations can make a big difference.
Storage Solutions: Keep Your Files Organized
The Surface Go 2 typically comes with 64GB eMMC storage (on lower-end models) or 128GB SSD storage. For a student, managing this space is key.
Cloud Storage is Your Friend: As mentioned, services like OneDrive, Google Drive, and Dropbox are invaluable. Save your major projects and documents to the cloud. You can often set up selective sync so not everything needs to be stored locally. Learn more about Microsoft OneDrive.
MicroSD Card Expansion: The Surface Go 2 has a microSD card slot. You can pop in a high-capacity card (up to 1TB, though 256GB or 512GB is usually plenty) to store extra files, photos, or even install some less demanding Windows applications directly onto it.
Regularly Clean Up: Go through your Downloads folder and uninstall apps you no longer use. Disk Cleanup (a built-in Windows tool) can also help clear temporary files.
Battery Life: Power Through Your Day
Microsoft estimates up to 10 hours of battery life for typical device usage, but real-world results vary depending on what you’re doing.
Adjust Screen Brightness: A bright screen drains the battery faster. Turn it down to a comfortable level.
Manage Background Apps: Close applications and browser tabs you’re not actively using.
Use Battery Saver Mode: Windows has a built-in Battery Saver that kicks in when your battery level is low, or you can enable it manually. This limits background activity and notification.
Power Bank Investment: For long days on campus with limited outlets, a portable USB-C power bank can be a lifesaver. Ensure it supports USB Power Delivery (USB PD) for faster charging.
Connectivity: Staying Connected
The Surface Go 2 usually comes with Wi-Fi 6 for fast wireless connections, which is great for campus Wi-Fi. If you opt for the LTE model, you can have cellular connectivity wherever you have a signal, which is invaluable if campus Wi-Fi is spotty or you need to work on the go. You can check out how to use an LTE connection on a Surface tablet via the FCC.
Frequently Asked Questions About Surface Go 2 for Students
Let’s tackle some common questions students have about using the Surface Go 2.
Q1: Is the Surface Go 2 powerful enough for college work?
Yes, for most typical college tasks like writing papers, browsing, taking notes, and using productivity suites like Microsoft 365, the Surface Go 2 is perfectly capable, especially with 8GB of RAM.
Q2: Can I run specialized software like AutoCAD or Photoshop on it?
While these programs are technically Windows applications and can* be installed, the Surface Go 2, especially with its entry-level processors and RAM, is not recommended for heavy creative or engineering software. For demanding applications, you’d be better off with a more powerful Surface device or a desktop computer.
Q3: What’s the difference between the Pentium Gold and Core m3 versions?
The Core m3 version offers better performance than the Pentium Gold. If your budget allows, the Core m3 with 8GB of RAM will provide a snappier, more responsive experience, especially when multitasking.
Q4: Do I need the Type Cover and Pen?
While not strictly required, the Type Cover is highly recommended for any significant typing, and the Surface Pen is essential for digital note-taking and annotating. They are key accessories that unlock the device’s full potential for students.
Q5: What about durability? Can it survive a student’s life?
The Surface Go 2 has a solid build quality. However, like any electronic device, it’s not indestructible. We recommend a protective case or sleeve and being mindful of drops. A screen protector can also add peace of mind.
Q6: Is the LTE version worth the extra cost for a student?
If you frequently work away from reliable Wi-Fi and need constant internet access for research or cloud syncing, the LTE model can be extremely convenient. However, if you primarily work on campus or have consistent Wi-Fi access, the Wi-Fi-only model will suffice and save you money.
Q7: How does it compare to a Chromebook for students?
The Surface Go 2 runs full Windows, giving you access to a wider range of desktop software. Chromebooks are simpler, more cloud-based devices that run web apps and Android apps. If you need traditional Windows programs or more flexibility, the Surface Go 2 is better. If you primarily work online and prefer a simpler interface, a Chromebook might be an option.
Conclusion: Your Smart Choice for Student Savings and Success
The Microsoft Surface Go 2, especially when kitted out with the Type Cover and Surface Pen, offers an exceptional blend of portability, versatility, and affordability for students. It’s a device that can seamlessly transition from your digital notebook in class to your research station in the library, and your media player back in your dorm.
By understanding its strengths, choosing the right configuration (aim for 8GB RAM!), and investing in essential accessories, you can transform the Surface Go 2 into a powerful ally for your academic journey. It proves that you don’t need to spend a fortune to get a reliable, capable Windows device that meets the demands of student life. Happy studying!
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