Best answer: If you're looking for a Surface PC to run Windows Mixed Reality, steer clear of the Surface Go. Something like the Surface Book 2 can deliver a far better VR experience.
- Powerful modular PC: Surface Book 2 (From $1,149 at Microsoft)
- Portable Surface: Surface Go (From $399 at Microsoft)
- Stellar WMR: Samsung HMD Odyssey+ ($499 at Microsoft)
Does Surface Go meet Windows Mixed Reality minimum specs?
There's a lot to like about Windows Mixed Reality (WMR). It's a cheaper alternative to the Oculus Rift and the HTC Vive, has a higher resolution than both of those devices, integrates with SteamVR, and is baked right into your Windows 10 device. To be able to use it on the go with a Surface Go is extremely appealing.
There are two different tiers of WMR — Ultra and Standard — that entail different system requirements to hit 90 frames-per-second (FPS) and 60 FPS respectively.
Without a dedicated graphics card (GPU), which the Surface Go does not have, at least a 7th Gen Intel Core i5 processor (CPU) is required to hit WMR Standard specs. The Go uses an Intel Pentium Gold 4415Y CPU, which does not compare.
In order to hit Ultra specs, a lesser CPU is required though it's only because a dedicated GPU is absolutely required. The bottom line here is that the Surface Go does not meet the minimum specifications required for either Ultra or Standard tiers of WMR.
Is Surface Go good for general gaming?
The Surface Go's integrated Intel HD Graphics 615 can offer up some decent performance when it comes to playing games. It won't come anywhere near powering popular AAA titles or popular esports titles, but it can certainly provide some entertainment during downtime.
There are hundreds of quality casual games available on the Microsoft Store, and you should even be able to have a good go at Minecraft for Windows 10.
What about other Surface devices?
We've tested out other Surface devices with WMR to see how well they run, and your best bet — at least when it comes to running WMR on Surface — is the 15-inch Surface Book 2. The 13.5-inch model does hit the minimum specs, though the larger version's NVIDIA GTX 1060 GPU has enough power to hit the WMR Ultra tier and 90 FPS.
As for the Surface Laptop and Surface Pro, both make the cut for the WMR Standard tier, maxing out at 60 FPS. The only issue you'll have to deal with is getting the proper adapter to make up for a lack of ports.
Our pick
Surface Book 2
Don't skimp on performance when it comes to VR.
Though WMR minimum specs can be hit by a lot of devices, a lot of games and experiences require beefy hardware to run smoothly, lowering the chances of nausea and discomfort. The Surface Book 2 has what you need … and more.
No WMR but still great
Microsoft Surface Go
A versatile PC in its own right
Microsoft's Surface Go is an ultraportable 2-in-1 that can be used on its own or with a Type Cover. It has a beautiful display, high-quality build, and it can even be had with LTE connectivity. It might not be powerful enough for WMR, but it can still hold its own with everyday computing.
Stellar WMR experience
HMD Odyssey+
Samsung's premier WMR headset
Samsung's Odyssey+ has effectively removed SDE from its display for a clear VR picture. Add to that a lighter build and more comfortable fit, and you have a premier WMR headset that can handle everything the other headsets can.
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