The Microsoft Surface Go 2 is an excellent affordable Windows 10 tablet that features a premium design found in the company's more expensive devices. It offers a slight bump in performance over the original, but it is still rather underpowered – especially the base model. Once you start kitting it out with improved internals and essential add-ons like the Type Cover, the price starts to climb.

Premium design; Affordable; Can run full Windows 10; Very good battery life;

No Touch Cover or stylus included; Base model's specs are weak; Windows Store still too bare

Microsoft's cheapest 2-in-1 offers excellent value for money on paper, but you'll need to spend much more than £399 to get the most out of it

The new Surface Go is a compelling second-generation device, but question marks remain over its long-term suitability for productivity, particularly on the baseline Intel Pentium Gold model.

Excellent, larger screen; Great accessories; Impressive webcam;

Lacklustre performance; Frustrating tablet mode; Type Cover sold separately;

Just enough power to perform and some must-have accessories make the Go 2 a genuine iPad rival

Has the gloss affordable Windows laptops lack; Surprisingly good fun for gaming; Good camera for video chat; Solid battery life

Can only handle non-taxing apps well; Accessories are pricey

There aren't many hybrids like the Microsoft Surface Go 2, as most companies stopped making Windows tablets years ago. The price is similar to that of an iPad, but with a little tweak you can try out any Windows 10 app you like. This tablet feels slower than an iPad, and is less easy to use. But with the Type Cover it turns into a neat, if cramped, mini laptop. Windows laptops still have the potential to feel clunky, but this is a great buy if you want the familiarity of fully fledged Microsoft Office software. And despite the weak processor, the Surface Go 2 is surprisingly good way to play older games. Who needs a Nintendo Switch? OK, we’re still keeping the Switch.

Has the gloss affordable Windows laptops lack; Surprisingly good fun for gaming; Good camera for video chat; Solid battery life;

Can only handle non-taxing apps well; Accessories are pricey;

Has the gloss affordable Windows laptops lack; Surprisingly good fun for gaming; Good camera for video chat; Solid battery life;

Can only handle non-taxing apps well; Accessories are pricey;

Microsoft Surface Go 2: A gorgeous machine and an improvement on the original but it still isn’t powerful enough

High quality webcam; Surprisingly usable keyboard; Excellent screen

Not fast enough

Perfect device for my uni studies! And for entertainment!

Hands down, this is the best device I've ever owned.

“The Surface Go 2 still doesn't live up to its endless potential.”

Beautiful; bright screen; Light yet sturdy; Runs a full version of Windows 10; Intel Core m3 offers solid performance

Too expensive; Tablet usage is still rough; Battery life is lacking