Surface Go vs Surface Pro: Specs, prices, and features

Looking into buying a new Surface tablet? You've got two different devices to choose from now. There's the Surface Go, and the Surface Pro, which are very similar on the outside but rather different on the inside. Depending on what you're planning to use your Surface for, maybe you could save a few bucks on a Surface Go? Let's compare and contrast.

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CategorySurface GoSurface Pro
OSWindows 10 Home in S modeWindows 10 Pro
Display10-inch1800x1200216 ppi12.3-inch2736x1824267 ppi
ProcessorIntel Pentium GOLD 4415Y7th Gen Intel Core m3 7Y307th Gen Intel Core i5-7300U7th Gen Intel Core i7-7660U
Storage64/256GB128GB/256GB/512GB
RAM4GB or 8GB4GB/8GB/16GB
Battery Life9 hours13.5 hours
KickstandFully adjustable up to 165 degreesFully adjustable up to 165 degrees
LTEYes (coming)Yes
microSDYesYes
Front camera5MP5MP
Rear camera8MP8MP
Windows HelloFacial RecognitionFacial Recognition
Dimensions9.6 x 6.9 x 0.33 in(245 x 175 x 8.3 mm)11.50 x 7.9 x 0.33 in(292 x 201 x 8.5 mm)
Weight1.15 lbs (522 g)1.69 to 1.73 lbs (768g to 784g)
Wi-FiYesYes
Bluetooth4.14.1
SpeakersDualDual
PortsUSB-C 3.1, 3.5mm headset, Surface ConnectUSB-A 3.0, Mini DP, Surface Connect, 3.5mm headset
PenYes ($99 extra)Yes ($99 extra)
KeyboardYes ($99-129 extra)Yes ($129-149 extra)
Surface Dial supportYes (off screen)Yes (on screen)
Pricefrom $399from $799

By all accounts, the Surface Pro is the more powerful machine, but you're also paying a considerable amount more for it. If you don't need all the extra horsepower, and are comfortable using a small screen, you're likely better off with the Surface Go. The Surface Pro is great if you need a bigger screen and a little extra horsepower under the hood for creative or production purposes.

If you're a casual user that only ever uses their PC for light web browsing like Facebook and Twitter, streaming videos via Netflix, listening to music on Spotify, and occasionally editing a Word document in Office, the Surface Go is a great choice. If you're planning on doing anything more than that, including things like video editing, photoshop, or software development, with more than 20 tabs open in a web browser at one time, the Surface Pro is probably a better fit for you.

The Surface Pro is also a little more versatile when it comes to choice. While the Surface Go is only available in two configurations, the Surface Pro is available with three different processors, and three different RAM and storage options. The Surface Pro offers a low-powered Intel Core M3 processor with 4GB RAM, which isn't all that powerful but starts at $699. You could save yourself a few bucks by going for the slightly less powerful Surface Go instead, unless you prefer the bigger display.

Zac Bowden
Senior Editor

Zac Bowden is a Senior Editor at Windows Central. Bringing you exclusive coverage into the world of Windows on PCs, tablets, phones, and more. Also an avid collector of rare Microsoft prototype devices! Keep in touch on Twitter and Threads