MSFT Surface Go

It's easy to think that Microsoft has given up on small

tablets. In the three years since the release of the Surface

3, its last inexpensive iPad competitor, Microsoft shifted its

attention towards larger and more powerful devices like the

Surface Pro; the pro-grade Surface Book 2; and the

traditional Surface Laptop. Along the way, the company even

managed to rethink all-in-one desktops and collaboration

displays. But it turns out Microsoft hasn't forgotten about

smaller slates -- it was just developing one that could truly

stand out. Enter the $399 Surface Go, the company's smallest

and cheapest 10-inch tablet.

The Go weighs just 1.15-pounds -- a quarter of a pound lighter

than the Surface 3, and a tad heavier than the 1.03-pound iPad.

While that's not a huge size improvement, it's enough to make

the Go feel more like a typical tablet, instead of a slightly smaller

Windows PC. During a brief product demonstration in New York

City, a Microsoft representative genuinely surprised me by pulling

the 8.3mm thin Go out of her slim purse. It was almost like a

magic trick -- it didn't look like there was anything in her purse at

first. That goes to show what Microsoft is aiming for with the

Surface Go: It wants to deliver a machine that'll simply disappear

as you carry it throughout the day.

At first, it's difficult to tell that the Go is actually a new member

of the Surface family. It doesn't look that much different than

the Surface 3. But get up close and you'll notice the changes.

The 10-inch screen is almost a full inch smaller. And you'll

definitely notice how much lighter it is once you pick it up.

Overall, though, Microsoft hasn't changed up much with the

Surface aesthetic. The Go's screen still has a 3:2 aspect ratio,

which is a bit taller than typical 16x9 displays. And of course,

there's the iconic kickstand, which can be opened up a full

165 degrees.