Microsoft's Surface Go 2 is an inexpensive laptop that anyone can use, and it's available to pre-order now for $399.99

• The compact, lightweight Microsoft Surface Go 2 is a laptop-tablet hybrid designed for basic apps and tasks that don't require much power.
• The Surface Go 2 starts at $399.99 and can be pre-ordered now from Microsoft's website, Amazon, and Best Buy. It'll be available to buy on May 12.
• The Surface Type keyboard cover is sold separately, which is a bummer, and raises the price for the Surface Go 2.
• Based on the original Type Cover for the first Surface Go, you can expect a $120 price tag for the Type Cover for the Surface Go 2.

Microsoft's affordable Surface Go 2 is a compact, lightweight laptop-tablet hybrid that runs the full Windows 10 operating system and is designed for simple, basic tasks where tons of power isn't necessary.

The Surface Go 2 starts at $399.99 and is available for pre-order now. It'll be available to buy from Microsoft's website, Amazon, and Best Buy.

Here's the catch with the Surface Go 2 — the Surface Type keyboard cover that also includes a trackpad is sold separately. Microsoft hasn't revealed the pricing for the Surface Type keyboard cover for the Surface Go 2, but the original Surface Go's Type Covers cost $130, and we can expect a similar price for the Surface Go 2's cover.

Assuming that no one is buying a laptop — or even a laptop hybrid like the Surface Go 2 — without a keyboard or trackpad, you can essentially add the Type Cover's $130 cost to the Surface Go 2's price. In essence, the Surface Go 2 realistically starts at $530, not $400.

The Surface Go 2 sports a 10.5-inch screen in a 1.2-pound package, and it comes with Microsoft's signature kickstand to keep it propped up. It runs on basic Intel chips including the Pentium Gold 4425Y and the 8th-generation Core m3 that can handle standard, common apps. You get either 4GB or 8GB of RAM.

Basically, you're not going to have several apps open and running at the same time with the Surface Go 2 — its comfort zone is a web browser and up to about 10 or 15 tabs.

Unfortunately, the Surface Go 2 doesn't have a standard USB-A port. Basically, you can't connect a bunch of your legacy accessories — or even new accessories — that come with regular USB cables. You do get a USB-C port, which can be connected to a dock that has a regular USB port. If you have wired accessories, like a mouse, keyboard, or printer, Surface Go 2 users may find it easier to simply upgrade to wireless accessories.