A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
Last updated -- hours ago | Report incorrect information
Company ProductName Specs
Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec laptop team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Gateway 14.1" is a budget-friendly laptop with basic performance suited for everyday tasks like browsing the web, working with documents, and streaming video. It has a larger screen and a decent display resolution but features modest processor power and less memory, which could make it slower for more demanding tasks. In contrast, the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 is typically more expensive but offers a more powerful processor, better graphics, and more memory, making it better suited for more intensive applications and multitasking. It's also lighter and more portable with a smaller screen, which can be a plus if you move around a lot. The Surface Laptop Go 2 also comes with the newer Windows 11 Home. Consider the Gateway if you're on a tight budget and need a laptop for simple tasks. Opt for the Surface Laptop Go 2 if you're willing to invest more for better performance and portability. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Gateway 14.1"
- The Gateway 14.1" has no clear advantages over the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2.
Advantages of the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2
- Good for general use
- Good for software development
- Good for content creation
- Good overall build quality
- Excellent portability
- Very good speakers
- Good keyboard
Key differences
General Use
5.6
7.0
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
208.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
401.0 nits
8.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
8.0 Hours
5.3/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
8.0/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
9.2/10
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 is good for general use, while the Gateway 14.1" is poor.
The Gateway 14.1" has a CPU and RAM configuration that limits its ability for smooth operation in general use, and although it has good portability with its lightweight design and size, the poor screen quality and short battery life restrict its effectiveness as a daily laptop.
Gaming and AI
5.4
6.0
3.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 is only fair for gaming and AI, while the Gateway 14.1" is poor.
The Gateway 14.1" offers poorer performance for gaming and 3D applications due to its lesser GPU (Intel UHD Graphics 600) and entry-level CPU (Intel Celeron N4020), which cannot handle intensive graphics tasks efficiently. On the other hand, the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 has a much better GPU (Intel Iris Xe Graphics) and a more powerful CPU (Intel i5-1135G7), making it more suitable for gaming and 3D, albeit with still limited capabilities compared to dedicated gaming laptops.
Engineering and Design
5.5
6.5
3.3/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.9/10
3.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
4.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 is only fair for engineering and design, while the Gateway 14.1" is poor.
The Gateway 14.1" laptop, with its Intel Celeron processor and Intel UHD Graphics, is less suitable for engineering and design due to its lower performance in processing and graphics capabilities compared to the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2, which has a more capable Intel i5 processor and Iris Xe graphics.
Content Creation
5.8
7.1
3.3/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.9/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
4.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 is good for content creation, while the Gateway 14.1" is poor.
PerfectRec’s Content Creation Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for photo editing, video editing and other content creation tasks.
Software Development
5.8
7.0
3.3/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.9/10
4.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
5.3/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 is good for software development, while the Gateway 14.1" is poor.
PerfectRec’s Software Development Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for software developers.
Screen Quality
6.0
6.9
14.1in
SIZE
12.4in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
208.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
401.0 nits
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 has a better screen than the Gateway 14.1" for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
For general use, the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 offers a higher resolution and brighter display, making for more comfortable viewing and crisp text, while the Gateway's display, although adequate, may not be as vibrant or sharp. In engineering and design tasks where color accuracy is crucial, the Surface Laptop Go 2's better coverage of professional color gamuts ensures more precise colors, which is essential for detailed work. However, for gaming and 3D applications, both laptops fall short as they lack high refresh rates, which are key for smooth motion, and their moderate resolutions and panel types do not offer the premium experience desired by gamers and professionals in animation or modeling.
Portability
Very Good
Excellent
14.1in
SIZE
12.4in
3.3 lbs
WEIGHT
2.4 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 has excellent portability, while the Gateway 14.1" has very good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
5.1
7.8
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 has good build quality, while the Gateway 14.1" has poor build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$99
$565
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
The Gateway 14.1" has a price of $99 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 costs $565.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Laptop
Find your new laptop
Key similarities
Battery
8.0 Hours
8.0 Hours
The Gateway 14.1" has 8 hours of battery life. The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 has 8 hours of battery life.
Battery life estimate is based on a mix of common use patterns. More portable and higher performing laptops tend to have less battery life.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Gateway 14.1" and the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Gateway 14.1" | Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$99 | $565 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | August 1, 2021 | June 1, 2022 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 13.1'' x 8.8'' x 0.75'' | 11'' x 8.1'' x 0.62'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 3.35 lbs | 2.48 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 13.1" | 10.95" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 8.78" | 8.12" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel Celeron N4020 | Intel i5-1135G7 | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 4 GB | 8 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 4 | 4 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 64 GB | 128 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 8 Hours | 8 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | Unknown | 41 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 14.1" | 12.4" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 1536 x 1024 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 208 nits | 401 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 5.1/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 8.1/10 | 9.3/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 7/10 | 7.5/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 5.3/10 | 7/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 6/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | Yes | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | No | No | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 2 | 1 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 1 | 1 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | No | No | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 1 | 1 | |
Thunderbolt Ports | |||
Thunderbolt Ports | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Gateway 14.1"
See more
Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Allen Ngo | September 2021
"The Gateway Ultra Slim 14" is surprisingly quiet with long battery life. The inexpensive Gateway excels at maximizing performance per dollar with lots of RAM and storage, super-quiet fan, and a long battery life. It can even house up to two M.2 SSDs which we weren't expecting from such a cheap system. However, the iffy reliability of the keyboard and USB-C port on our test unit means users should double-check for these potential issues immediately after purchasing."
Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2
See more
Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Andreas Osthoff | August 2022
"The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 review is a compact companion with old hardware. The Surface Laptop Go 2 shows some weaknesses. Microsoft didn't really develop the second generation of the Surface Laptop Go 2 any further but has only equipped it with a slightly more powerful Core i5 processor. However, the performance still remains at a fairly low level overall, but for many users, it definitely should still be sufficient for everyday tasks."
Get a great deal on the Gateway 14.1" or the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2
About Gateway
Gateway is a laptop and tablet brand owned by Acer which sells budget-friendly laptops exclusively through Walmart. It was previously an American computer company until its acquisition by Acer in 2007, who then revived the brand in 2020. Gateway laptops are manufactured by Chinese company Shenzhen Bmorn Technology, which also makes EVOO-branded models.
About Microsoft
Microsoft is an American technology corporation. Microsoft is best known for their Windows operating system and Surface laptop series. The Surface Laptop is their standard notebook offering, while their Surface Go, Surface Pro, and Surface Studio are their 2-in-1/tablet offerings in order of increasing capability. Although Microsoft charges a premium price tag for their laptops, buyers can expect a well integrated and packaged device since Microsoft develops the Windows operating system.
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Laptop guides you might be interested in
More comparisons for you
Compare Gateway 14.1" vs. Gateway 11.6"
VS
Compare Gateway 14.1" vs. ASUS R410MA
VS
Compare Gateway 14.1" vs. Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14"
VS
Compare Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 vs. HP Victus 15
VS
Compare Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 vs. ASUS Zenbook 14
VS
Compare Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 vs. HP Envy x360 15"
VS
FAQs
FAQs about laptops
Why trust us
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec laptops team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest laptop information and makes it digestible for you.
By the numbers
380
Laptops evaluated
48,640
Laptops stats compiled
13
Proprietary Laptops ratings developed
98,595
Recommendations made
21,363
Consumer hours saved
About the laptop team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Laptops Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Craig Russell
Laptops Expert
Craig is a UK-based laptops expert. Craig works in IT, where he recommends and supports laptops and PCs for clients and has been recommending laptops on Reddit for five years.
Featured in
