Although the Surface Go series of laptops from Microsoft may not be the most exciting laptops on the market, they do have some merits that cannot be denied. It is commendable that these devices are able to include features such as a Full HD+ 3:2 display, a 1080p webcam (and another one on the back), and face recognition software for Windows Hello while maintaining a relatively low pricing point. The Surface Go 3 is naturally the best entry in the series, and in our evaluation, we discovered that it is a terrific option if you’re searching for an economical tablet. However, it’s been almost a year since it was first introduced, and we’re starting to get eager for what’s to come – possibly a Surface Go 4 model.
We haven’t heard of an impending release for a successor, but there are several features that we’re looking forward to when a Surface Go 4 does come to market. The Surface Go 3 was released in late 2021, and we haven’t heard of an imminent release for a successor. Let’s take a look at what the future might hold if Microsoft does decide to release a new low-cost tablet.
Microsoft Surface Go 4 release date
Microsoft’s Surface Go series is one of the more recent Surface families, and up to this point, it hasn’t had the most steady schedule for product launches. It wasn’t until August 2018 that Microsoft released the first Surface Go, and it took nearly two years after that for the company to roll out the Surface Go 2 as an improved version. After that, Microsoft released the Surface Go 3 in a little under a year and a half, so it has seen some changes since then. According to what we have been told, the next iteration will most certainly be released this year, which is consistent with the gaps that existed between the many earlier releases.
The fact that this is a device with a relatively low end of features means that it does not need to be updated as frequently. In addition, the most recent iteration already has rather good entry-level hardware. A recent hardware event was hosted by Microsoft on October 12, 2022. At this event, the company revealed the Surface Pro 9, Surface Laptop 5, and Surface Studio 2 Plus, but it did not introduce the Surface Go 4. If you want to see a Surface Go 4, you should plan on waiting until at least next spring, although it’s possible that it won’t be released until later in the year. In either case, the year 2023 appears to be a fairly likely time frame for its debut of it, based on the tendencies of the past.
Microsoft Surface Go 4 features
After the initial release of the Surface Go family of products, Microsoft has not added a particularly large number of new features due to the fact that Surface Go is an affordable option. The screen on the Surface Go 2 is now 10.5 inches in size, which is a little increase from its previous size of 10.4 inches. However, other than that, not much else has changed. And while we wouldn’t anticipate a great deal of alterations in terms of the key features, there will almost certainly be some alterations, at the very least on the inside.
Arm microprocessors
A price increase is obviously going to be one of the things that we should anticipate seeing a lot of. The Surface Go 3 ships with either an Intel Pentium Gold 6500Y or a Core i3-10100Y, but rumors have it that the next generation would be the first to use a Qualcomm processor. This would be a significant departure for Microsoft. Inside the Surface Go 4, Microsoft apparently intends to include a Qualcomm central processing unit, most likely one from the Snapdragon 7c family. That is something that fans have wanted for a very long time, and it appears that their wish may finally be granted.
Despite this, there is still a possibility that some Intel-powered models, tailored exclusively for businesses, will be released. It is common for business users to prefer Intel central processing units (CPUs), so it makes sense to at least have the option. The Intel chips will need to be some type of successor to the processors that are included in the Surface Go 3, hopefully making use of Intel’s new hybrid architecture that was released with the 12th-generation of CPUs.
Will there be any further alterations to take place?
One element that may be subject to change is the Surface Pen, but we do not anticipate that there will be many alterations made to the overall design or the features. The Surface Pro 8, Surface Pro X, and Laptop Studio are the first products to include Microsoft’s new Surface Slim Pen design; however, the Surface Go 3 continues to make use of the company’s original Surface Pen. However, it is quite likely that the Surface Slim Pen will eventually be supported by all Surface devices, including the Surface Go 4, and this could happen in the future.
It is important to note, however, that the Surface Laptop 5 and the Surface Studio 2 Plus, both of which were released a year after the Surface Slim Pen 2, do not support the new functionality that the Surface Slim Pen 2 offered. Additionally, neither device is meant to store or charge the device. That is to say, it may take some time before this new pen becomes the standard, particularly on devices that are less expensive. Microsoft has been utilizing a new keyboard connector with the Surface Pro 8 and 9, and ultimately, it should become standard for the Surface Go line as well. Microsoft has been using it with the Surface Pro 8 and 9.
You should not anticipate that future models will include a display with a refresh rate of 120 hertz or compatibility for Thunderbolt, as Microsoft’s premium devices do. These are high-end features that wouldn’t be appropriate for a device with a price point as low as the Surface Go.
Microsoft Surface Go 4 price
Pricing for the Surface Go family of products has been extremely stable across all of the different generations, and it is quite probable that this will remain the case in the years to come as well. It is anticipated that the starting price will be a little lower than $400, with the keyboard and pen peripherals being sold separately. It might be anywhere from $800 to $1,000 depending on the changes you choose to make. There is a total of five different configurations available for the Surface Go 3, with prices ranging from $399.99 to $729.99 (without any additional accessories). Things shouldn’t be too different with the Surface Go 4, but it’s important to keep in mind that expenses have been increasing across the industry, so it’s possible that it will be unavoidable that prices will go up significantly.
The pricing of the pen and keyboard might change if Microsoft opts to switch to the Surface Slim Pen form factor. This decision would have an impact on the market. This pen has generally carried a higher price tag; however, the corporation could benefit from producing a version that is more reasonably priced for the Surface Go.
That is all we are able to say about the Surface Go 4 at this time, which is extremely disappointing taking into account that it is still at least a few months away. If you are interested in purchasing an inexpensive tablet in the near future, you should direct your attention to the Surface Go 3, which was released not too long ago but is still relatively new. If you have a larger budget, you can also check out our list of the best Surface PCs. On the other hand, if you don’t think Surface is the right fit for you, you can just look at our list of the best laptops in general.
Would you like to read more about Microsoft Surface Go 4-related articles? If so, we invite you to take a look at our other tech topics before you leave!
