Previously, we heard rumors that Microsoft planned to release a mid-range Surface laptop. Now, Microsoft has finally lifted the curtain on its plans for the Surface Laptop Go.

What Is the Surface Laptop Go?

You can see the full press release for the new laptop over on Windows Blogs. Microsoft targets the work-at-home crowd, which has gotten a lot larger since the recent pandemic caused people to make an office in their home.

The laptop uses an Intel 10th Gen i5 Quad-Core processor, comes with up to 16GB RAM, and has up to 256GB of storage space. It has a 13-hour battery lifespan and comes with Fast Charging technology to get the laptop back up and running in no time.

As for media, the Surface Laptop Go has options for both speaking and listening. When you're listening, the laptop sports Omnisonic speakers and Dolby Surround Sound for a premium listening experience. When it's time for you to take the stage, the 720p webcam and studio microphones help you make your point.

Microsoft has also introduced fingerprint sign-ins in select models of the Surface Laptop Go. When you want to sign in, place your finger on the power button, and Windows Hello will log you in.

Microsoft is also keen to talk about the look and feel of its new laptop:

It has a beautiful 12.4-inch PixelSense touchscreen display, large precision trackpad and a full-size keyboard with 1.3mm key travel for an accurate and comfortable typing experience. The sleek, streamlined design comes in three durable and lightweight metal finishes: Ice Blue, Sandstone and Platinum.

The Surface Laptop Go starts at $549 and is available for preorder starting today at the Microsoft Surface store.

Microsoft's Bid in a Pandemic-Based World

The Surface Laptop Go is the cheapest entry in the Surface range, presumably to appeal to the average family. In the announcement post, there's a large emphasis on how people need laptops for work or education in this pandemic-based world.

As such, Microsoft's bid with its medium-range Surface laptop appears to focus on getting as many people onto the Surface brand as possible. To do that, the company designed the Laptop Go to be an affordable laptop that's perfect for work and teleconferencing.

This approach becomes more apparent when you consider the storage space. At the very top end of the Surface Laptop Go range, you get an already-restrictive 256GB of space. If you opt for the lower end, that shrinks down to a measly 64GB.

This is not a laptop designed for storing massive video games or movies; in fact, with office suites living in the cloud, Microsoft probably doesn't intend you to download much at all.

As such, the Surface Laptop Go is likely designed to help families equip themselves with a decent laptop for work and education without spending a lot. Whether Microsoft struck a balance between cost and resources, however, is yet to be seen.

The New Surface Laptop: a Go or a No?

Microsoft has finally unveiled the rumored mid-range Surface laptop, but its restrictive system specs leave much to be desired. We'll have to wait and see when the reviews come in if the Surface Laptop Go can justify its price tag.

Hopefully, the release will go a lot smoother than the Surface Duo's own. When the Duo hit the market, critics weren't too kind on the two-screened device.