NOVEMBER 2020 PCWorld 55I reported the problem to Microsoft, then
set the charger aside and used an older
Surface charger instead once our benchmark
testing completed. You can also charge the
Surface Laptop Go directly through the
USB-C port, or via a hub.
Two specific features distinguish the
Surface Laptop Go from other Microsoft
Surfaces, and from other laptops: the new
fingerprint reader, and the Surface Laptop
Go’s lower-res display. Let’s look at each.
MEET THE NEW
FINGERPRINT READER
Microsoft helped usher in biometric
identification with Windows Hello, and
specifically its outstanding depth camera,
which can recognize you and unlock your PC
almost immediately. Some rival laptops have
chosen Hello-certified fingerprint readers
instead, either broad circular ones hidden
under the power button (like the Huawei
Matebook X Pro [go.pcworld.com/hmxp]) or
“strip” readers placed elsewhere on the
device.
The Surface Laptop Go combines the two,
with the fingerprint reader hidden within the
rectangular power button. When the laptop is
locked, a somewhat gaudy LED ring outlines
the power button, illuminating the landing
pad. The reader worked very well, about as
quick and accurate as a newly calibrated
depth camera. It even asked me to move my
finger when it wasn’t aligned correctly. The
fingerprint reader stores your fingerprint long
enough that you can depress the power
button with your finger,
remove it, and you’ll still be
logged in once the Surface
Laptop Go completes its short
boot cycle.
Fingerprint readers can
accumulate schmutz over
time, just as depth cameras
don’t recognize changes in
my facial hair after I pull them
from the shelf. On one
occasion, the reader didn’t
grant me access until I dried
my hands. Still, Microsoft’s
fingerprint experiment may
turn out to be a smart play.If the Surface Laptop Go is locked, the LED ring will light to guide
your finger in for a landing. Maybe Microsoft’s Surface engineers
took a cue from Flight Simulator?