Microsoft launched the Surface GO as a portable computer, even more portable than the Surface Laptop or the Surface Book 2. It’s actually a 10-inch tablet powered by Windows 10, allowing you to take a full-fledged laptop on the go. It doesn’t come with a keyboard, but Microsoft sells a keyboard accessory for it. So for just a few hundred bucks, you can have the portability of the tablet and the function of a fully fledged laptop. It’s a really neat idea, but some folks still aren’t big fans of the small 10-inch display. It’s crisp and clear, but truthfully, it is really small and difficult to work on.
| Product | Brand | Name | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Microsoft | Microsoft Surface Book 2 (Intel Core i7, 16GB RAM, 512GB) - 15" | Check Price on Amazon |
 | Google Pixelbook (i7, 16 GB RAM, 512 GB) | Check Price on Amazon | |
 | Microsoft | 2018 Microsoft Surface | Check Price on Amazon |
 | Acer | Acer Predator Helios 300 Gaming Laptop | Check Price on Amazon |
 | Apple | Apple 15" MacBook Pro, Retina, Touch Bar, 2.9GHz Intel Core i7 Quad Core, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD, Silver, MPTV2LL/A | Check Price on Amazon |
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So, if you’re looking for something that still has portability, and can still run your traditional Windows applications, follow along below. We’ve hand-picked some of our favorite options for you.
Best Surface GO Alternative
Surface Book 2
First up, we’re looking at the Surface Book 2. This is the best hardware that Microsoft is currently putting out, offering you a handful of different configurations. There’s a low-end configuration for those that need something casual for school and business work, but then there’s a high-end configuration for more demanding elements, such as high-end gaming, 3D modelling, video editing, and more. There’s a lot of storage capacities as well — you can get it in as low as 128GB of SSD space, and as high as a whole 1TB.
Battery life in the Surface Book 2 is superb. It’s got some good hardware packed in the Surface Book 2, but even then, you can still get between six and seven hours of straight battery life with the laptop. You can almost go through an entire work day without having to plug in. Overall, games are really smooth on it, and the clear display makes it easy to stare at the screen for work all day.
Buy it now: Amazon
Google Pixelbook
If you don’t need the traditional Windows computer apps, then you should consider what the Google Pixelbook offers. This Chrome OS-based laptop isn’t able to run Windows or Mac apps, but it can run Android apps. If you primarily use the browser exclusively while you’re using the computer, the Google Pixelbook is for you. It runs the Internet smoothly and responsively, and it handles most Android apps really well. Battery life is really impressive as well — you can expect 10 to 12 hours of battery life off of a single charge, though it all depends on what your actual daily usage looks like.
We like this Chromebook in particular because it’s made of a premium material, a stark improvement of the cheap feeling plastic of money Chromebooks.
Buy it now: Amazon
Surface Laptop
Next up, we have the Surface Laptop. Microsoft has attempted to offer a traditional-looking laptop as an alternative to the Surface Book 2, and they’ve actually done that quite well. The cost is a lot less than a Surface Book 2, and it’s fairly unique with its keyboard adorned in a microfiber material — that keeps typing comfortable, but it’s definitely unique. Hardware can be configured to your liking, but price still ends up cheaper than Surface Book 2, making this a more optimal option for students and professionals.
Buy it now: Amazon
MacBook Pro 15
Maybe you want to move away from Windows 10 entirely. In that case, you’ll love the MacBook Pro 15. It’s a little on the pricey side, but it has a 15-inch Retina display that makes viewing media crisp and clear — it’s perfect for photo editors, video editor, and graphic designers. Developers will also like this laptop, as MacOS is based on Linux — that makes it just a little easier to start projects and download and install necessary development tools.
Buy it now: Amazon
Acer Predator Helios
If you’re a gamer, you should definitely consider what Acer is offering in its portable gaming laptop — the Predator Helios. They pack this laptop with high-end hardware so that you can play all the latest games on the market on “High” or better graphics settings. There’s 16GB of RAM packed into this laptop, an Intel Core i7 processor, and there’s even a 15.6-inch Full HD IPS display so that you get a clear picture when gaming. The laptop is a little on the larger side, but it plays movies and TV shows just fine wherever.
Buy it now: Amazon
Verdict
There are a lot of great alternatives to the Surface GO currently on the market. Our favorite is easily the Surface Book 2 or Surface Laptop, though those looking to veer off from Windows 10 will enjoy the MacOS experience in the MacBook Pro 15.
| Product | Brand | Name | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft | Microsoft Surface Book 2 (Intel Core i7, 16GB RAM, 512GB) - 15" | Check Price on Amazon |
| Google Pixelbook (i7, 16 GB RAM, 512 GB) | Check Price on Amazon | |
| Microsoft | 2018 Microsoft Surface | Check Price on Amazon |
| Acer | Acer Predator Helios 300 Gaming Laptop | Check Price on Amazon |
| Apple | Apple 15" MacBook Pro, Retina, Touch Bar, 2.9GHz Intel Core i7 Quad Core, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD, Silver, MPTV2LL/A | Check Price on Amazon |
* If you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. For more details, please visit our Privacy policy page.
