Shrinking the Surface Pro design down to the size of a standard 10-inch tablet, and bringing the starting price down to $599, Microsoft's Surface Go is a wonderfully compact Windows machine that doesn't compromise when it comes to productivity.

At 245mm x 175mm and coming in at around half a kilo, this is a fully fledged computer packed into a tiny, beautiful body. The magnesium casing keeps the Go in line with the rest of the portable Surface family, while the sold-separately (but arguably not optional) keyboard cover and pen feel just as good to use as those associated with the machine's full-sized siblings. There's even, somehow, full-sized keys and a generous glass trackpad.

The Go's edges are significantly rounder than other Surfaces, and used as a tablet it's much easier to handle given the compact size. To that end, more than any previous Microsoft device, the Surface Go really feels like a Windows-powered iPad. And I love that about it, even if it probably wouldn't be Microsoft's favourite comparison.

There's no getting around the fact that the Go is not quite as thin or light as the standard (non-Pro) iPad, or that Apple's tablet has a nicer screen, but the core appeal is the same: a light, intuitive device that's powerful enough to handle your work and entertainment on the go.

And the baby Surface does have design advantages over Apple's tab. The built-in kickstand is invaluable for example, able to be set at any angle to suit typing, drawing or touching in any scenario, and the presence of an SD card reader makes the Go a more pragmatic device. There's also a USB-C port and Microsoft's proprietary Surface Connect, if you want to hook it up to a hub. There's a pair of cameras for video calls or recording, plus others to facilitate Windows Hello instant sign-in.