Laptops

Microsoft launches the affordable Surface Laptop Go

Starts at US$ 549

Published

October 2, 2020

Kenrick Buduan

Today, Microsoft is launching a new entry-level Surface laptop along with an improved Surface Pro X. The Surface Laptop Go is a smaller, lighter, and cheaper variant of the popular Surface Laptop. It also complements the popular light and low-cost tablet, Surface Go.

Surface Laptop Go packs a respectable spec sheet that could attract a lot of buyers looking for an affordable but reliable laptop. The processor inside is an Intel Core i5-1035G1 that should offer decent performance. However, it is worth noting that this processor comes only with an integrated UHD graphics instead of an Iris Plus graphics.

There are only three RAM and storage variants on the consumer version of the Surface Laptop Go. The base configuration is a 4GB + 64GB combo, which is only available with a Platinum color finish. The other two combo — 8GB + 128GB and 8GB + 256GB combo — are both available on Platinum, Sandstone, and Ice Blue.

Microsoft cut some corners on Surface Laptop Go’s display. The 12.4-inch 3:2 PixelSense display has a resolution of 1,536 x 1,024 pixels with a density of 148 PPI. Creatives may find the display lacking, but it should be fine for students and budding professionals.

Another cost-saving measure is the removal of a Windows Hello IR camera for sign-in. In its place is a fingerprint scanner embedded in the power button. The port situation, however, remains the same as with other Surface devices.

There’s one USB-A, USB-C, and a headphone jack on the left side of the laptop — unfortunately, Microsoft continues to shy away from Thunderbolt 3. Meanwhile, the right side has a Surface Connect port for the charger and peripherals.

Battery life is rated at 13 hours, which is excellent for a laptop this size. By default, Microsoft is bundling a fast charger that tops up the battery to 80% in over an hour.

Surface Laptop Go also comes with Windows 10 Home in S Mode, which is basically a locked-down version of the OS. However, there is a one-way upgrade to regular Windows 10 from the Microsoft Store.

Pricing and availability

The base config of the Surface Laptop Go comes at an affordable price of US$ 549. Upgrading to the 8GB + 128GB variant will cost US$ 699, while the highest-end config will cost at US$ 899. Pre-orders begin today, and shipping will commence on October 13 in the US. Other markets, however, will have to wait until November.

Related Topics:Microsoft Surface Surface Laptop Go

Laptops

Samsung Galaxy Book6 series coming to the US on March 11

Samsung’s most powerful AI PCs yet

Published

February 25, 2026

GadgetMatch

Samsung’s most advanced AI-powered PC lineup yet, the Samsung Galaxy Book6 series, will be available in the United States starting March 11.

The Samsung Galaxy Book6 Ultra, Book6 Pro, and Book6 are all powered by Intel Core Ultra Series 3 processors to deliver improved CPU, GPU, and NPU performance.

Galaxy AI features like AI Select and Intelligent Search streamline workflows, while Multi-Control and Second Screen enable seamless productivity across Galaxy devices.

Users can connect the Galaxy Book6 series to their Galaxy smartphone or tablet for multi-screen productivity. This includes accessing one’s phone storage straight from the Book6 PC.

And similar to Circle to Search on Galaxy mobile devices, the upcoming PCs have a feature wherein users can just trace whatever is on their screen and search.

In addition, the series combines ultra-thin designs with up to 30 hours of video playback.

Price, availability

Here are the pricing of the three devices under the series:

Galaxy Book6 Ultra: Starts at US$ 2,449.99
Galaxy Book6 Pro: Starts at US$ 1,599.99
Galaxy Book6: Starts at US$ 1,049.99

They will be available nationwide at Samsung.com and Samsung Experience Stores beginning on March 11. Customers who reserve early will get a US$ 30 credit.

More details will be unveiled during the Samsung Galaxy Unpacked event on February 25 at 10:00 A.M. PT / 1:00 A.M. ET.

Laptops

Are you ready for a more colorful MacBook?

Apple is experimenting with quirkier colorway options for the MacBook.

Published

February 16, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

In recent years, Apple has relented on limiting the colors of its devices to only the more premium-looking options. Users can now pick quirkier colors for their iPhones, highlighted currently by the Cosmic Orange iPhone 17 Pro Max. Soon, the same splashes of color might make its way to the MacBook lineup.

According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple has been testing different colorway options for its upcoming entry-level MacBook. The unannounced lineup might come in pink, light yellow, light green, and blue.

It’s a big change for MacBooks. Currently, the only “quirky” option that users can get is the MacBook Air’s Sky Blue, which honestly looks more silvery than blue. Other than that, the MacBook simply seesaws from different shades of gold, silver, and black.

To be fair, the upcoming MacBook will still have the traditional colorways of the current lineup. Additionally, it’s unclear whether Apple will ultimately include all its experimental colors into the final lineup.

Reportedly, the new lineup will cost somewhere between US$ 699 to US$ 799. Of course, the lower price tag will come at the expense of some specs. Although, it should still be good if we’re talking about an entry-level laptop.

It’s even more interesting if it’s hinting at the return of truly colorful options but for the notebook. The iMac already got a similar renaissance back in 2024, which mimics the classic computer’s colorful history.

SEE ALSO: M5 MacBook Pro review

Laptops

ASUS, Acer PCs are banned in Germany

And it’s all because of Nokia.

Published

February 16, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

Brands getting banned are commonplace in today’s tech landscape. These usually happen because of geopolitical reasons, especially if it’s in the United States. In Europe, brands sometimes get banned for anticompetition reasons. Today, however, a commonly used codec, HEVC, is at the center of a controversy that has led to the banning of ASUS and Acer in Germany. Even crazier, Nokia is involved.

For context, Nokia owns several patents for video codecs. One of those codecs, HEVC (or High-Efficiency Video Coding) is ubiquitous in every PC, which means that every PC maker must purchase a license to include the codec in their machines. It’s an essential these days, so it’s unusual for ASUS and Acer to miss it.

In Germany, where licensing is stricter, both companies were found guilty of infringing the patent, as reported by German outlet Hardwareluxx. As a result, ASUS and Acer must stop selling PC and laptop sales until they obtain a license from Nokia.

To be clear, this doesn’t mean that the two brands have disappeared from the country. Third-party retailers can still sell their remaining stock. However, the companies cannot import or sell any new stock, pending a conclusion to the issue.

Naturally, the easiest fix is to just buy the license. Hisense, another company that found itself in the same mire, bought a license last month. Either ASUS and Acer are running into more technical issues, or they just didn’t feel the license was worth it for a single market.