Three more benchmarks focus on the CPU, using all available cores and threads, to rate a PC's suitability for processor-intensive workloads.

We also run PCMark 10's Full System Drive test to assess the load time and throughput of a laptop's storage. The main benchmark of UL's PCMark 10 simulates a variety of real-world productivity and content-creation workflows to measure overall performance for office-centric tasks such as word processing, spreadsheeting, web browsing, and videoconferencing.

Meanwhile, the Samsung Galaxy Book Pro 13 is a more expensive laptop but in some aspects similar to the Surface to show what a few hundred dollars more can get you. Lenovo's IdeaPad Flex 5i 14 convertible is equivalent in price to today's Microsoft laptop the IdeaPad 3 14 costs less and the Surface Go 3 detachable occupies a tier below its stablemate in power and price. This is mainly a group of other budget machines, some of them a bit less expensive than the Surface Laptop Go 2. Unfortunately, the webcam hasn't been promoted to 1080p resolution it's still a 720p device. The camera itself has been improved for today's video-call culture Microsoft improved the sensor and added dual-field microphones to upgrade the conferencing experience. The webcam lacks IR face recognition, so fingerprints are the only way to use Windows Hello, but that's acceptable at this price. And the touchpad is relatively roomy, and pans and clicks smoothly.Ī fingerprint reader comes integrated into the power button, allowing easy sign-ins with Windows Hello. Otherwise, the Surface Laptop Go 2 is quite enjoyable to use: The keycaps are maybe a touch small, depending on your fingertip size, but the keyboard has satisfying travel. I did some work in a dim room and instantly missed the option for key illumination. I realize this is a budget laptop, but even many low-priced Windows notebooks and Chromebooks offer backlighting these days. On average, its color and quality are okay, but as I'm writing this I have to say the text in Google Docs doesn't look super-sharp.Īnother disappointment is the lack of a backlit keyboard.

The screen offers touch support and is fairly bright at its maximum setting, so it's not a total loss. How to Set Up Two-Factor Authentication.How to Record the Screen on Your Windows PC or Mac.How to Convert YouTube Videos to MP3 Files.How to Save Money on Your Cell Phone Bill.How to Free Up Space on Your iPhone or iPad.How to Block Robotexts and Spam Messages.

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