Surface Go with LTE preorders now available, starting at $679

Best External Monitors for Surface Go
Best External Monitors for Surface Go

When the Surface Go with LTE was first announced in July 2018 a version with 4G LTE Advanced was promised by "the end of the year." It looks like Microsoft kept to its word, and four months later the Surface Go with LTE Advanced is finally ready to launch, according to Microsoft.

Perhaps the bigger news though is that by November 22 the Surface Go with LTE Advanced should be available in 23 markets globally with more to follow.

Surface Go with LTE Advanced price and specs

Like the already released Surface Go we reviewed in July, the Surface Go with LTE Advanced will have multiple versions, including models for business (Windows 10 Pro configurable to S Mode) and for consumers (Windows 10 Home in S mode).

Only the versions with 8GB of RAM and either 128GB or 256GB solid-state drive (SSD) for storage will have an option for LTE, leaving off the base model with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage.

That larger 256GB version is only the business model but consumers can order direct from Microsoft if they want it for $829.

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CategorySurface Go with LTE (consumer)
OSWindow 10 Home in S mode
Display10-inch 3: 2 aspect1800 x 1200 with touch216 ppi
ProcessorIntel Pentium Gold 4415Y (1.6GHz)Fanless
GraphicsIntel HD 615
RAM8GB1866MHz LPDDR3
Storage128GB or 256GB SSD
SecurityTPM 2.0
Ports1x USB-C 3.1 (aux. charge, video out, data), microSD (up to 1TB), Surface Connect, headphone jack
Surface Pen4,096 levels of pressure, tilt support
Camera5MP front-facing with Windows Hello8MP rear auto-focus
ConnectivityWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/acBluetooth 4.1
LTE AdvancedNano SIM Tray4G 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 AssistedGNSS, accuracy up to 3 meters
AudioDual front-facing speakersDolby Audio Premium
Dimensions9.6 in x 6.9 in x 0.33 in (245 mm x 175 mm x 8.3 mm)
Weight1.17 lbs (532g) without keyboard1.7lbs (770 kg) w/keyboard
ColorsMagnesium
Power24 W power supply
Battery life8.5 hours (video loop)
PriceStarts at $679Keyboard $99 or $129 (Alcantara)

The Surface Go with LTE Advanced will also feature GPS for those who want to use geolocation with Windows 10. There is no mention of support for eSIM, but instead, it appears to rely only on a nano-SIM slot, and it is carrier unlocked.

For pricing, the Surface Go with LTE Advanced won't be cheap. Pricing starts at $679, a $180 increase over the same model with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage but without a 4G LTE modem. Also, the Surface Type Cover and optional Surface Pen ($99) are still sold separately.

Altogether that bumps the 128GB Surface Go with LTE Advanced to an eye-watering $907 price tag with an Alcantara keyboard or $877 with non-Alcantara.

Surface Go with LTE Advanced for Business is a bit more, as that ships with Windows 10 Pro in S mode and Advanced Exchange Service (AES) for the additional cost. The 256GB model is $829 plus Alcantara keyboard and Surface Pen comes in at $1,057 although corporate and education discounts certainly kick in for instituations buying that device.

Where you can buy Surface Go with LTE?

People in the U.S. and Canada get the first preorders with many more countries following later in November. These are the markets in which Microsoft announced availability:

  • US
  • Canada
  • Australia
  • New Zealand
  • Hong Kong
  • UK
  • Ireland
  • France
  • Germany
  • Austria
  • Belgium
  • Luxembourg
  • Netherlands
  • Switzerland
  • Denmark
  • Finland
  • Norway
  • Sweden
  • Poland
  • Taiwan
  • Italy
  • Portugal
  • Spain
  • Malaysia
  • Thailand

Areas in the Middle East and India are liking coming in later months.

Who should buy Surface Go with LTE Advanced?

Surface Go

Surface Go (Image credit: Windows Central)

Microsoft is making a big push for the Surface Go with LTE Advanced for businesses. In its press release, Microsoft talks about firstline workers (FLWs) who could benefit from having a Surface Go with LTE Advanced and various benefits including:

  • No more dependence on Wi-Fi at a job site —c onstruction project managers can input real-time assessments and photos of contractor progress into their cloud system;
  • No more reliance on a client's home Wi-Fi network — insurance claims adjusters can submit damage reports and receive quotes while assessing a vehicle;
  • No more tethering with reduced speeds and depleted phone batteries — census takers can upload household demographic information in real time.

It is business that is driving demand for so-called "Always Connected PCs" (ACPCs) as the need for secure, non-public networks for workers who increasingly work outside a formal office rises.

For consumers, the Surface Go with LTE Advanced is an intriguing option, but due to the higher price, it is unclear if many will see the value in return, especially with the 8.5 hours of estimated battery life (certainly shorter in real-world usage).

Still, there are very few consumer-grade Windows laptops and tablets on the market that hit below the $1,000 mark – Surface Pro with LTE is $1,700 as an entire package – making this a first for Microsoft.

Daniel Rubino
Editor-in-chief

Daniel Rubino is the Editor-in-chief of Windows Central. He is also the head reviewer, podcast co-host, and analyst. He has been covering Microsoft since 2007, when this site was called WMExperts (and later Windows Phone Central). His interests include Windows, laptops, next-gen computing, and watches. He has been reviewing laptops since 2015 and is particularly fond of 2-in-1 convertibles, ARM processors, new form factors, and thin-and-light PCs. Before all this tech stuff, he worked on a Ph.D. in linguistics, watched people sleep (for medical purposes!), and ran the projectors at movie theaters because it was fun.