Surface Laptop Go 2 vs. MSI Modern 15 (A4SX): Which is better?

Here is a side by side comparison between Surface Laptop Go 2 and MSI Modern 15 (A4SX) specs including CPU, RAM, storage, battery, display, and more.

Surface Laptop Go 2 Pros

Reasons that Surface Laptop Go 2 is better than MSI Modern 15 (A4SX).

Newer manufacturing

2022 vs. 2020

Supports faster memory

Surface Laptop Go 2 supports a faster memory speed than the MSI Modern 15 (A4SX). It supports up to 4267MHz versus 3200MHz of system memory on the MSI Modern 15 (A4SX).

Memory type and speed
Surface Laptop Go 2 - LPDDR4X
4,267 MHz
MSI Modern 15 (A4SX) - DDR4
3,200 MHz
About 30% lighter

Surface Laptop Go 2 weighed 2.48 pounds, 30% lighter than the 3.53 pounds MSI Modern 15 (A4SX).

WeightSurface Laptop Go 2MSI Modern 15 (A4SX)
Pound
2.48 lbs.
3.53 lbs.
Kilogram
1.12 kg
1.60 kg

MSI Modern 15 (A4SX) Pros

Reasons that MSI Modern 15 (A4SX) is better than Surface Laptop Go 2.

Slightly faster CPU performance

AMD Ryzen 7 4700U inside MSI Modern 15 (A4SX) has a 17% better multi-core CPU performance score than the Intel Core i5-1135G7 inside Surface Laptop Go 2.

Geekbench 5 multi-core score
MSI Modern 15 (A4SX) - AMD Ryzen 7 4700U
4,691
Surface Laptop Go 2 - Intel Core i5-1135G7
3,980
MSI Modern 15 (A4SX) - AMD Ryzen 5 4500U
3,785
Supports larger memory

MSI Modern 15 (A4SX) supports a larger memory capacity than the Surface Laptop Go 2. It supports up to 64GB versus 16GB of system memory on the Surface Laptop Go 2.

Max system memory size
MSI Modern 15 (A4SX)
64 GB
Surface Laptop Go 2
16 GB
Upgradable memory

MSI Modern 15 (A4SX) comes with two SODIMM slots that allow you to replace or upgrade when needed. On the flip side, you can't upgrade RAM on the Surface Laptop Go 2 since it has onboard memory.

MemorySurface Laptop Go 2MSI Modern 15 (A4SX)
Slots
Onboard
x2
TypeLPDDR4XDDR4
25% larger display

MSI Modern 15 (A4SX) has a 15.6-inch screen size 25% larger than the 12.45-inch Surface Laptop Go 2.

Display size
MSI Modern 15 (A4SX)
15.6-inch
Surface Laptop Go 2
12.45-inch

Prices

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

Surface Laptop Go 2 Price
Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2-12.4" Touchscreen - Intel Core i5 8GB Memory - 128 SSD - Ice Blue (Latest Model)
Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2-12.4" Touchscreen - Intel Core i5 8GB Memory - 128 SSD - Ice Blue (Latest Model)
By Microsoft
$508.46
MICROSOFT Surface Laptop GO 2, 12.4" PIXELSENSE Touchscreen, 11TH GEN Intel: i5, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD W10H-S Platinum (Renewed Premium),Silver
MICROSOFT Surface Laptop GO 2, 12.4" PIXELSENSE Touchscreen, 11TH GEN Intel: i5, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD W10H-S Platinum (Renewed Premium),Silver
By Microsoft
$380.99
Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 12.4" Touch 8GB 256GB SSD Core™ i5-1135G7 2.4GHz Win10S, Platinum (Renewed), Silver
Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 12.4" Touch 8GB 256GB SSD Core™ i5-1135G7 2.4GHz Win10S, Platinum (Renewed), Silver
By Microsoft
$394.99
MSI Modern 15 (A4SX) Price
MSI Modern 15 Laptop: Ryzen 7 7730U, UMA AMD Radeon Graphics, 15.6" FHD, 16GB DDR4, 1TB NVMe SSD, 180-Degree Lay-Flat, Type C, Win 11 Pro: Classic Black B7M-223US
MSI Modern 15 Laptop: Ryzen 7 7730U, UMA AMD Radeon Graphics, 15.6" FHD, 16GB DDR4, 1TB NVMe SSD, 180-Degree Lay-Flat, Type C, Win 11 Pro: Classic Black B7M-223US
By MSI
$799.99
MSI Modern 15 Laptop: Intel Core i3-1215U, UHD Graphics, 15.6" FHD, 8GB DDR4, 512GB NVMe SSD, 180-Degree Lay-Flat, Type C, Win 11 Home: Classic Black B12M-433US
MSI Modern 15 Laptop: Intel Core i3-1215U, UHD Graphics, 15.6" FHD, 8GB DDR4, 512GB NVMe SSD, 180-Degree Lay-Flat, Type C, Win 11 Home: Classic Black B12M-433US
By MSI
$379.99
$519.00 27% OFF
MSI Modern 15 Laptop: Ryzen 5 7530U, UMA AMD Radeon Graphics, 15.6" FHD, 16GB DDR4, 1TB NVMe SSD, 180-Degree Lay-Flat, Type C, Win 11 Home: Classic Black B7M-224US
MSI Modern 15 Laptop: Ryzen 5 7530U, UMA AMD Radeon Graphics, 15.6" FHD, 16GB DDR4, 1TB NVMe SSD, 180-Degree Lay-Flat, Type C, Win 11 Home: Classic Black B7M-224US
By MSI
$549.99

Availability

Surface Laptop Go 2MSI Modern 15 (A4SX)
Released20222020
Release Date
  • Introduced: June 1, 2022
  • Pre-ordered: June 1, 2022
  • Released: June 7, 2022
-
Pricing
  • For Consumer (Windows 11 Home):
    • $599.99 - i5 | 4GB | 128GB SSD | Platinum Only
    • $699.99 - i5 | 8GB | 128GB SSD
    • $899.99 - i5 | 8GB | 256GB SSD
  • For Commercial (Windows 11 Pro):
    • $799.99 - i5 | 8GB | 128GB SSD
    • $999.99 - i5 | 8GB | 256GB SSD
    • $1,199.99 - i5 | 16GB | 256GB SSD | Platinum Only
-
Generations-

Exterior

Surface Laptop Go 2MSI Modern 15 (A4SX)
Dimensions10.95” x 8.12” x 0.62” (278.18mm x 206.2 mm x 15.7 mm)14.05” x 9.20” x 0.67” (356.8 x 233.75 x 16.9 mm)
Weight2.48 lbs. (1,127 g)3.53 lbs (1.6 kg)
Colors
Sage Ice Blue Sandstone Platium
Urban Silver Carbon Gray
Keyboard and Trackpad
  • Keyboard:
    • Full-size keyboard with a soft-touch feel and full 1.3mm travel.
  • Trackpad:
    • Larger size 115 mm x 76.66 mm, glass.
    • Supports up to Five-finger multitouch gesture.
  • Keyboard
    • Backlight Keyboard (Single-Color, White)
    • 1.5mm key travel
  • Touchpad
    • Precision touchpad support multitouch gestures and intuitive response.

Display

Surface Laptop Go 2MSI Modern 15 (A4SX)
Size12.45 Inches15.6 Inches
Info
  • Resolution: 1536 x 1024 (148 PPI)
  • PixelSense™ Display
  • Aspect ratio: 3:2
  • Touch: 10 points multi-touch
15.6" FHD (1920x1080), IPS-Level, Wide View Angle, Thin Bezel.

Ports

Surface Laptop Go 2MSI Modern 15 (A4SX)
Surface Laptop Go 2 Ports
Image Source: Microsoft
Left (3)
  • 1 x USB-C
    USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10 Gbps), Power Delivery, DisplayPort
  • 1 x USB-A
    USB 3.0 (5 Gbps)
  • 1 x headphone jack
    Headphone/Microphone
Right (1)
  • 1 x Surface Connect
    Magnet Charging, Docking
  • 1 x USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2
    Supports DisplayPort.
  • 3 x USB Type-A 3.2 Gen 1
  • 1 x MicroSD Card Reader
  • 1 x HDMI (4K @ 60Hz)
  • 1 x Mic-in/Headphone-out Combo Jack
  • 1 x DC-in

Internal Specs

Surface Laptop Go 2MSI Modern 15 (A4SX)
Processor
  1. 11th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-1135G7
    4 cores, 8 threads, 2.40 → 4.20 GHz, 8MB SmartCache, 28W
  1. AMD Ryzen™ 5 4500U
    6 cores, 6 threads, 2.30 → 4.00 GHz, 8MB Cache, 15W
  2. AMD Ryzen™ 7 4700U
    8 cores, 8 threads, 2.00 → 4.00 GHz, 8MB Cache, 15W
Integrated Graphics
  1. 11th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-1135G7
    Intel® Iris® Xe Graphics
    80 Execution Units, 400 → 1300 MHz
  1. AMD Ryzen™ 5 4500U
    AMD Radeon™ Graphics
    6 Graphics Cores, 1500 MHz
  2. AMD Ryzen™ 7 4700U
    AMD Radeon™ Graphics
    7 Graphics Cores, 1600 MHz
Memory
4GB 8GB 16GB
4267 MHz LPDDR4X RAM
  • Up to DDR4-3200 Memory Type
  • 2 Slots Number of SO-DIMM Slot
  • Max 64GB Max Capacity
Storage
128 GB 256 GB
SSD
  • 2 x M.2 SSD slot (NVMe PCIe Gen3)
Fans Number1-

Connectivity

Surface Laptop Go 2MSI Modern 15 (A4SX)
Wi-FiWi-Fi 6: IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax compatible.802.11 AC Wi-Fi 5
BluetoothBluetooth Wireless 5.1 technologyBluetooth 5.0

Battery

Surface Laptop Go 2MSI Modern 15 (A4SX)
Size41 Wh52 Wh (3-cell Li-Polymer battery)
Battery LifeUp to 13.5 hours of typical device usage-
Power Supply
  • 39W power supply
  • Supports Fast Charge (0-80% in just over one hour)
65W compact power adapter

Software

Surface Laptop Go 2MSI Modern 15 (A4SX)
OS
  • For Consumer: Windows 11 Home
  • For Commercial: Windows 10 Pro, Windows 11 Pro
  • Windows 10 Home
  • Windows 10 Pro
Built-in AppsConsumer
  • Microsoft 365 Apps
  • Microsoft 365 Family 1-month trial
  • Xbox App
  • Xbox Game Pass Ultimate 1-month trial
Commerial
  • Microsoft 365 Apps
  • Microsoft 365 Business Standard, Microsoft 365 Business Premium, or Microsoft 365 Apps 30-day trial
  • MSI Center for Business & Productivity

Camera & Audio

Surface Laptop Go 2MSI Modern 15 (A4SX)
Camera720p HD f2.0 front-facing video cameraFront-facing camera
720p (1280 x 720 HD) top mounted camera.
Audio
  • Dual far-field Studio Mics
  • OmniSonic stereo speakers with Dolby® Audio™ Premium
  • 2 x 2W Speaker
  • Nahimic 3
  • High-Resolution Audio ready

Misc

Surface Laptop Go 2MSI Modern 15 (A4SX)
InkingNot Support-
Sensors
  • Ambient light sensor
-
SecurityConsumer
  • Firmware TPM
  • Enterprise-grade protection with Windows Hello sign-in
  • One-Touch sign in with FingerPrint Reader Power button
Note Surface Laptop Go 2 i5/4GB/128 GB does not include Fingerprint Power Button.
Commercial
  • Discrete hardware TPM
  • Enterprise-grade protection with Windows Hello sign-in
  • One-Touch sign in with FingerPrint Reader Power button
Note Surface Laptop Go 2 i5/4GB/128 GB does not include Fingerprint Power Button.
-
In the box
  • Surface Laptop Go 2
  • 39W Power supply
  • Quick Start Guide
  • Safety and warranty documents
-
Warranty
  • One-year limited hardware warranty
1-year Limited Warranty (Include 1 Year Global)

Key Features

Surface Laptop Go 2MSI Modern 15 (A4SX)
At Glance
Released in Mid
2022
3:2 1.5K
12.45”
1024p 60Hz
Weight
2.48 lb
1.12 kg
Powered By
Intel Core i5-1135G7
4C/8T, 2.40 → 4.20 GHz
Geekbench 5
1,195
Single Core
Geekbench 5
3,980
Multi-Core
With integrated
Intel® Iris® Xe Graphics
80 Execution Units, 400 → 1300 MHz
Configurable up to
16GB
4267 MHz LPDDR4X
Surface Laptop Go 2 Ports
Starting at
$599.99
i5, 4GB, 128GB SSD, No Fingerprint
Up to
13.5 Hours
Battery Life
Optional
Fingerprint Reader
On Power Button
Single
USB-A
USB 3.0
Single
USB-C
w/ DP & PD
Wi-Fi 6
Bluetooth 5.1
Released in
2020
16:9 FHD
15.6”
1080p 60Hz
Weight
3.53 lb
1.60 kg
Up to
AMD Ryzen 7 4700U
8C/8T, 2.00 → 4.00 GHz
Geekbench 5
968
Single Core
Geekbench 5
4,691
Multi-Core
With integrated
AMD Radeon™ Graphics
7 Graphics Cores, 1600 MHz
Upgradable up to
64GB
3200 MHz DDR4

Comparison Summary

Surface Laptop Go 2 vs. MSI Modern 15 (A4SX)

Microsoft has released the Surface Laptop Go 2, a 12.45-inch machine, in mid-2022. It is powered by a quad-core Intel Core i5-1135G7 with a boost clock speed up to 4.20 GHz. The laptop has an integrated graphics option up to Intel® Iris® Xe Graphics (80 Execution Units, 400 → 1300 MHz).

On the other hand, we have the 15.6-inch Modern 15 (A4SX) was introduced by MSI about two years earlier in 2020. It comes with up to an octa-core AMD Ryzen 7 4700U with a boost clock speed up to 4.00 GHz. It has an integrated graphics option up to AMD Radeon™ Graphics (7 Graphics Cores, 1600 MHz).

Geekbench 5 Single Core

Surface Laptop Go 21
11th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-1135G71,195100.00%
MSI Modern 15 (A4SX)1
AMD Ryzen™ 5 4500U88674.14%
2
AMD Ryzen™ 7 4700U96881.00%
01,195

Geekbench 5 Multi Core

Surface Laptop Go 21
11th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-1135G73,98084.84%
MSI Modern 15 (A4SX)1
AMD Ryzen™ 5 4500U3,78580.69%
2
AMD Ryzen™ 7 4700U4,691100.00%
04,691

The Surface Laptop Go 2 has a 12.45-inch display which is considerably smaller than the 15.6-inch MSI Modern 15 (A4SX). In addition, The Surface Laptop Go 2 weighs 2.48 lbs. about 42% lighter than the 3.53 lbs. MSI Modern 15 (A4SX). Moreover, measured at 10.95” x 8.12” x 0.62”, the Surface Laptop Go 2 is much more portable than the MSI Modern 15 (A4SX) at 14.05” x 9.20” x 0.67”.

Surface Laptop Go 2MSI Modern 15 (A4SX)

Moving over to upgradability, Microsoft claims that the Surface Laptop Go 2 supports up to 16GB 4267 MHz LPDDR4X memory. However, it has an onboard memory module that is not upgradable by the users. Fortunately, it comes with a single removable M.2 SSD slot that users can replace and upgrade in the future.

For MSI Modern 15 (A4SX), it supports up to 64GB 3200 MHz DDR4 memory that you can upgrade with two memory module slots on the motherboard. It also 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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