Surface Go 2 vs. Samsung Galaxy Book (2021): Which is better?

Here is a side by side comparison between Surface Go 2 and Samsung Galaxy Book (2021) specs including CPU, RAM, storage, battery, display, and more.

Surface Go 2 Pros

Reasons that Surface Go 2 is better than Samsung Galaxy Book (2021).

About 65% lighter

Surface Go 2 weighed 1.2 pounds, 65% lighter than the 3.41 pounds Samsung Galaxy Book (2021).

WeightSurface Go 2Samsung Galaxy Book (2021)
Pound
1.2 lbs.
3.41 lbs.
Kilogram
0.54 kg
1.55 kg

Samsung Galaxy Book (2021) Pros

Reasons that Samsung Galaxy Book (2021) is better than Surface Go 2.

Newer manufacturing

2021 vs. 2020

Much faster CPU performance

Intel Core i7-1165G7 inside Samsung Galaxy Book (2021) has a 241% better multi-core CPU performance score than the Intel Core M3-8100Y inside Surface Go 2.

Geekbench 5 multi-core score
Samsung Galaxy Book (2021) - Intel Core i7-1165G7
4,487
Samsung Galaxy Book (2021) - Intel Core i5-1135G7
3,980
Samsung Galaxy Book (2021) - Intel Core i3-1115G4
2,445
Surface Go 2 - Intel Core M3-8100Y
1,313
Surface Go 2 - Intel Pentium Gold 4425Y
922
Supports faster memory

Samsung Galaxy Book (2021) supports a faster memory speed than the Surface Go 2. It supports up to 4267MHz versus 1866MHz of system memory on the Surface Go 2.

Memory type and speed
Samsung Galaxy Book (2021) - LPDDR4X
4,267 MHz
Surface Go 2 - LPDDR3
1,866 MHz
Supports discrete graphics

Configurable up to Nvidia GeForce MX450 2GB GDDR6 vs. integrated

Upgradable storage

Samsung Galaxy Book (2021) comes with two M.2 slots that you can easily upgrade and install an additional SSD to expand the storage on the device.

SlotsSurface Go 2Samsung Galaxy Book (2021)
M.2
Onboard
Yes x2
48% larger display

Samsung Galaxy Book (2021) has a 15.6-inch screen size 48% larger than the 10.5-inch Surface Go 2.

Display size
Samsung Galaxy Book (2021)
15.6-inch
Surface Go 2
10.5-inch
Has four more ports and slots

Samsung Galaxy Book (2021) has more ports and slots count than the Surface Go 2. It has nine versus five amount of ports and slots on the Surface Go 2.

PortsSurface Go 2Samsung Galaxy Book (2021)
HDMINoYes
headphone jackYesYes
lock slotNoYes
microSD card slotYesYes
nanoSIM card slotNoYes
Surface ConnectYesNo
Surface Go Type Cover ConnectorYesNo
USB-ANoYes x2
USB-CYesYes x2
Total59
More versatile connectivity

Samsung Galaxy Book (2021) has better versatile I/O connectivity than the Surface Go 2. It has five versus three commonly used ports and slots on the Surface Go 2.

PortsSurface Go 2Samsung Galaxy Book (2021)
headphone jackYesYes
microSD card slotYesYes
USB-CYesYes
HDMINoYes
USB-ANoYes

Prices

Here are the latest price updates and offers for both devices.

Surface Go 2 Price
New Microsoft Surface Go 2 - 10.5" Touch-Screen - Intel Pentium - 4GB Memory - 64GB - Wifi - Platinum (Latest Model)
New Microsoft Surface Go 2 - 10.5" Touch-Screen - Intel Pentium - 4GB Memory - 64GB - Wifi - Platinum (Latest Model)
By Microsoft
$289.03
Microsoft Surface Go 2 10.5 inches Touch-Screen Intel Pentium 4GB RAM, 64gb STV-00001 (Renewed)
Microsoft Surface Go 2 10.5 inches Touch-Screen Intel Pentium 4GB RAM, 64gb STV-00001 (Renewed)
By Microsoft
$165.00
Microsoft Surface Go 2-10.5" Touch-Screen - Intel Pentium - 8GB Memory - 128GB SSD - WiFi - Platinum (Latest Model) (Renewed)
Microsoft Surface Go 2-10.5" Touch-Screen - Intel Pentium - 8GB Memory - 128GB SSD - WiFi - Platinum (Latest Model) (Renewed)
By Microsoft
$279.00
Samsung Galaxy Book 2021 Price
Samsung Galaxy Book Go Laptop PC Computer Qualcomm 7C Pro 4GB Memory 128GB eUFS Storage 18-Hour Battery Compact Light Shockproof WFH Ready WiFi 5, Silver
Samsung Galaxy Book Go Laptop PC Computer Qualcomm 7C Pro 4GB Memory 128GB eUFS Storage 18-Hour Battery Compact Light Shockproof WFH Ready WiFi 5, Silver
By Samsung Electronics
$249.00
$349.99 29% OFF
SAMSUNG Galaxy Book Pro Intel Evo Platform Laptop Computer 15.6" AMOLED Screen 11th Gen Intel Core i5 Processor 8GB Memory 512GB SSD Long-Lasting Battery, Mystic Silver
SAMSUNG Galaxy Book Pro Intel Evo Platform Laptop Computer 15.6" AMOLED Screen 11th Gen Intel Core i5 Processor 8GB Memory 512GB SSD Long-Lasting Battery, Mystic Silver
By SAMSUNG
$660.00
SAMSUNG 14" Galaxy Book4 Pro Laptop PC Computer, Intel Core 7 Ultra Processor 512GB, 3K AMOLED (2880 x 1800) Touchscreen, Advanced Security, 2024 Model, NP940XGK-KG1US, Moonstone Gray
SAMSUNG 14" Galaxy Book4 Pro Laptop PC Computer, Intel Core 7 Ultra Processor 512GB, 3K AMOLED (2880 x 1800) Touchscreen, Advanced Security, 2024 Model, NP940XGK-KG1US, Moonstone Gray
By SAMSUNG
$1,449.99

Availability

Surface Go 2Samsung Galaxy Book (2021)
Released20202021
Release Date
  • Introduced: May 6, 2020
  • Pre-ordered: May 6, 2020
  • Released: May 12, 2020
  • Announced at Samsung Unpack Event (2021)
  • Announced on April 28, 2021
PricingSurface Go 2 for Consumer
  • $399 - Intel Pentium | 4 GB | 64 GB | WiFi
  • $549 - Intel Pentium | 8 GB | 128 GB | WiFi
  • $629 - Intel Core M3 | 8 GB | 128 GB | WiFi
  • $729 - Intel Core M3 | 8 GB | 128 GB | LTE
Surface Go 2 for Commercial
  • $449 - Intel Pentium | 4 GB | 64 GB | WiFi
  • $599 - Intel Pentium | 8 GB | 128 GB | WiFi
  • $679 - Intel Core M3 | 8 GB | 128 GB | WiFi
  • $779 - Intel Core M3 | 8 GB | 128 GB | LTE
-
Applicable Models-
  • Samsung Galaxy Book
  • Samsung Galaxy Book 1
  • Samsung Galaxy Book (1st Gen)
  • Samsung Galaxy Book (2021)
  • Samsung Galaxy Book with 11th Gen Intel G-Series processors
Generations-

Exterior

Surface Go 2Samsung Galaxy Book (2021)
Dimensions9.65” x 6.9” x 0.33” (245 mm x 175  mm x 8.3 mm)
Width: 9.65” (245 mm)
Height: 6.9” (175 mm)
Thickness: 0.33” (8.3 mm)
14.04" x 9.02" x 0.60" (356.6 x 229.1 x 15.4 mm)
Weight
  • Surface Go 2: 1.2 lbs (544 g)
  • Surface Go 2 with LTE: 1.22 lbs. (553 g)
  • Surface Go 2 Keyboard: 0.55 lbs (249 g)
3.41 lbs (1.55 kg)
Colors
Platinum
Mystic Silver Mystic Blue
Keyboard and Trackpad
  • Surface Go Type Cover
    • Not included
  • Keyboard:
    • Full-size mechanical backlit keyset with 1 mm of key travel.
  • Trackpad:
    • Precision glass trackpad.
    • Trackpad size: 101 mm x 56 mm
    • Supports a five-finger multitouch gesture.
  • Full size, backlit chiclet keyboard with Numpad
    Optional fingerprint sensor on Power key.
  • Precise Touchpad
    Microsoft Precision Touchpad support.

Display

Surface Go 2Samsung Galaxy Book (2021)
Size10.5 Inches15.6 Inches
Info
  • Resolution: 1920 x 1280 (2.45M Pixels)
  • Density: 220 PPI
  • PixelSense™ Display
  • Contrast ratio: 1500:1
  • Aspect ratio: 3:2
  • Inking: designed together with Surface Pen
  • Touch: 10 points multi-touch
  • Corning® Gorilla® Glass 3
  • Resolution: 1920 x 1080
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Panel Type: TFT LCD

Ports

Surface Go 2Samsung Galaxy Book (2021)
Surface Go 2 Ports
Image Source: Microsoft
Right (3)
  • 1 x USB-C
    USB 3.1 Gen 1 (5 Gbps), DisplayPort, Power Delivery
  • 1 x Surface Connect
    Charging, Docking
  • 1 x headphone jack
    Headphone/Microphone
Bottom (1)
  • 1 x Surface Go Type Cover Connector
Under Kickstand (1)
  • 1 x microSD card slot
Samsung Galaxy Book (2021) Ports
Image Source: Samsung
Left (4)
  • 2 x USB-C
    USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10 Gbps), Power Delivery, DisplayPort
  • 1 x HDMI
  • 1 x USB-A
    USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 Gbps)
Right (5)
  • 1 x microSD card slot
    UFS, SDXC
  • 1 x nanoSIM card slot
    Optional
  • 1 x headphone jack
    Headphone/Microphone
  • 1 x USB-A
    USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 Gbps)
  • 1 x lock slot

Internal Specs

Surface Go 2Samsung Galaxy Book (2021)
Processor
  1. 8th Gen Intel® Pentium® Gold 4425Y
    2 cores, 4 threads, 1.70 GHz, 2MB, 6W
  2. 8th Gen Intel® Core™ M3-8100Y
    2 cores, 4 threads, 1.10 → 3.40 GHz, 4MB SmartCache, 5W
  1. 11th Gen Intel® Core™ i3-1115G4
    2 cores, 4 threads, 3.00 → 4.10 GHz, 6MB SmartCache, 28W
  2. 11th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-1135G7
    4 cores, 8 threads, 2.40 → 4.20 GHz, 8MB SmartCache, 28W
  3. 11th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-1165G7
    4 cores, 8 threads, 2.80 → 4.70 GHz, 12MB SmartCache, 28W
Integrated Graphics
  1. 8th Gen Intel® Pentium® Gold 4425Y
    Intel® UHD Graphics 615
    24 Execution Units, 300 → 850 MHz
  2. 8th Gen Intel® Core™ M3-8100Y
    Intel® UHD Graphics 615
    24 Execution Units, 300 → 900 MHz
  1. 11th Gen Intel® Core™ i3-1115G4
    Intel® UHD Graphics
    48 Execution Units, 400 → 1250 MHz
  2. 11th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-1135G7
    Intel® Iris® Xe Graphics
    80 Execution Units, 400 → 1300 MHz
  3. 11th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-1165G7
    Intel® Iris® Xe Graphics
    96 Execution Units, 400 → 1300 MHz
Memory
4GB 8GB
1866 MHz LPDDR3 RAM
  • 4GB
    3733 LPDDR4X onboard memory.
  • 8GB 16GB
    4267 LPDDR4X onboard memory.
Discrete Graphics-Optional NVIDIA® GeForce® MX450 Graphics
Storage
  • 64GB
    eMMC
  • 128GB 256GB
    SSD
256GB 512GB
NVMe SSD
2 x M.2 2230/2280 PCIe SSD slot.

Connectivity

Surface Go 2Samsung Galaxy Book (2021)
Wi-Fi
  • Wi-Fi 6: IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax compatible.
Wi-Fi 6 (802.11 ax 2X2)
Bluetooth
  • Bluetooth Wireless 5.0 technology
Bluetooth® v5.1
MoreOptional LTE
  • Nano SIM Tray
  • 4G LTE Advanced (22 Bands: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66)
  • GPS/GLONASS: Standalone and Assiste
  • GNSS, accuracy up to 3 meters
Optional LTE

Battery

Surface Go 2Samsung Galaxy Book (2021)
Size26.81 Wh54 Wh
Battery Life
  • WiFi: Up to 10 hours of typical device usage
  • LTE Advanced: Up to 10 hours of typical device usage
Up to 10.9 hours
Local video playback.
Power Supply
  • 24W proprietary Surface Connect power supply
65W Power Adapter

Software

Surface Go 2Samsung Galaxy Book (2021)
OS
  • For Consumer: Windows 10 Home in S-mode
  • For Commercial: Windows 10 Pro
Free upgrade to Windows 11
  • Windows 10 Home
  • Windows 10 Pro
Built-in Apps
  • For Consumer
    Microsoft 365 Family one month trial
  • For Commercial
    1 month trial for new Microsoft Office 365 customers
  • Link Sharing
  • Live Message
  • Live Wallpaper
  • McAfee Live Safe (60 days trial)
  • Samsung Gallery
  • Quick Search
  • Samsung DeX
  • Samsung Flow
  • Samsung Notes
  • Samsung Recovery
  • Samsung Settings
  • Studio Plus
  • Samsung Update
  • teamPL

Camera & Audio

Surface Go 2Samsung Galaxy Book (2021)
Camera
  • Windows Hello face authentication camera (front-facing)
  • 5.0MP front-facing camera with 1080p Skype HD video
  • 8.0MP rear-facing autofocus camera with 1080p full HD video
HD front-facing camera
Audio
  • Dual Studio Mics
  • 2W stereo speakers with Dolby® Audio™
  • Dolby Atmos® Speakers
  • Dual Array Mic

Misc

Surface Go 2Samsung Galaxy Book (2021)
InkingSupports Surface Pen
4096 levels of pressure
Tilt sensing
Best in class latency
Paper feel
magnetic storage
-
Sensors
  • Ambient light sensor
  • Accelerometer
  • Gyroscope
  • Magnetometer
  • NFC
  • Fingerprint sensor on power key
Security
  • HW TPM 2.0 chip for enterprise security
  • Enterprise-grade protection with Windows Hello face sign-in
  • TPM
  • Fingerprint Reader
  • Security Lock slot
In the box
  • Surface Go 2
  • Power supply
  • Quick Start Guide
  • Safety and warranty documents
  • Galaxy Book
  • USB-C Data Cable
  • Travel Adapter
Warranty
  • One-year limited hardware warranty
1-year limited warranty
More
  • Mechanical features: Signature unibody magnesium design with hidden perimeter venting
  • Kickstand with a full-friction multiposition hinge to 165 degrees
  • Magnetic attach for keyboard fold stability
  • Physical buttons: volumes, power
  • Casing: Magnesium
-

Key Features

Surface Go 2Samsung Galaxy Book (2021)
At Glance
Released in Mid
2020
3:2 FHD+
10.5”
1280p 60Hz
Weight
1.2 lb
0.54 kg
Up to
Intel Core M3-8100Y
2C/4T, 1.10 → 3.40 GHz
Geekbench 5
660
Single Core
Geekbench 5
1,313
Multi-Core
With integrated
Intel® UHD Graphics 615
24 Execution Units, 300 → 900 MHz
Configurable up to
8GB
1866 MHz LPDDR3
Surface Go 2 Ports
Released in Mid
2021
16:9 FHD
15.6”
1080p 60Hz
Weight
3.41 lb
1.55 kg
Up to
Intel Core i7-1165G7
4C/8T, 2.80 → 4.70 GHz
Geekbench 5
1,374
Single Core
Geekbench 5
4,487
Multi-Core
With integrated
Intel® Iris® Xe Graphics
96 Execution Units, 400 → 1300 MHz
Samsung Galaxy Book (2021) Ports
Nvidia GeForce
MX450
2GB GDDR6

Comparison Summary

Surface Go 2 vs. Samsung Galaxy Book (2021)

Microsoft has released the Surface Go 2, a 10.5-inch machine, in mid-2020. It is powered by up to a dual-core Intel Core M3-8100Y with a boost clock speed up to 3.40 GHz. The laptop has an integrated graphics option up to Intel® UHD Graphics 615 (24 Execution Units, 300 → 900 MHz).

On the other hand, we have the 15.6-inch Galaxy Book was introduced by Samsung about a year later in mid-2021. It comes with up to a quad-core Intel Core i7-1165G7 with a boost clock speed up to 4.70 GHz. It has a dedicated GPU option up to Nvidia GeForce MX450 with 2GB GDDR6.

Geekbench 5 Single Core

Surface Go 21
8th Gen Intel® Pentium® Gold 4425Y38427.95%
2
8th Gen Intel® Core™ M3-8100Y66048.03%
Samsung Galaxy Book (2021)1
11th Gen Intel® Core™ i3-1115G41,16384.64%
2
11th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-1135G71,19586.97%
3
11th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-1165G71,374100.00%
01,374

Geekbench 5 Multi Core

Surface Go 21
8th Gen Intel® Pentium® Gold 4425Y92220.55%
2
8th Gen Intel® Core™ M3-8100Y1,31329.26%
Samsung Galaxy Book (2021)1
11th Gen Intel® Core™ i3-1115G42,44554.49%
2
11th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-1135G73,98088.70%
3
11th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-1165G74,487100.00%
04,487

The Surface Go 2 has a 10.5-inch display which is way smaller than the 15.6-inch Samsung Galaxy Book (2021). In addition, The Surface Go 2 weighs 1.2 lbs. about 184% lighter than the 3.41 lbs. Samsung Galaxy Book (2021). Moreover, measured at 9.65” x 6.9” x 0.33”, the Surface Go 2 is much more portable than the Samsung Galaxy Book (2021) at 14.04” x 9.02” x 0.60”.

Surface Go 2Samsung Galaxy Book (2021)

There are a toal number of 5 ports and slots available on Surface Go 2. That includes a USB-C port, a Surface Connect, a headphone jack, a Surface Go Type Cover Connector, and a microSD card slot. With that said, it has four ports and slots fewer than the Samsung Galaxy Book (2021) that has two USB-C ports, an HDMI port, two USB-A ports, a microSD card slot, a nanoSIM card slot, a headphone jack, and a lock slot.

Moving over to upgradability, Microsoft claims that the Surface Go 2 supports up to 8GB 1866 MHz LPDDR3 memory. However, it has an onboard memory module that is not upgradable by the users. It also has soldered storage, and there are no M.2 slots for expansion.

For Samsung Galaxy Book (2021), it . Like Surface Go 2, it has an onboard memory module that is not upgradable by the users. Luckily, it has two M.2 slots that users can easily swap or add an extra SSD to get extra space when needed.

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