Microsoft surface laptop go 3 review
The most recent version of Microsoft’s 12.4-inch Windows ultraportable is the Surface Laptop Go 3 (starting at $799). This time, the minimum and maximum specifications are also greater, along with the price.
MICROSOFT SURFACE LAPTOP GO 3 SPECS
Despite having a more recent 12th Gen Intel Core i5-1235U CPU, the Surface Laptop Go 3 seems antiquated, given that the chip was just introduced a year ago. Nevertheless, the Surface Laptop Go 3 is among the lightest and thinnest Windows laptops available, weighing just 2.49 pounds and measuring 0.62 inches thick. So, the issue is if the device’s increased price is justified by the enhanced CPU, more RAM and storage, and the addition of a fingerprint sensor.
PROS
- Longer battery life
- The basic model features more memory and storage, and the chassis design remains successful.
CONS
- Price rise pits it against harder computers.
- The display remains low-resolution.
- Average performance in our $999.99 test setup
| Laptop Class | Ultraportable |
| Processor | Intel Core i5-1235U |
| RAM (as Tested) | 16 GB |
| Boot Drive Type | SSD |
| Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested) | 256 GB |
| Screen Size | 12.4 inches |
| Native Display Resolution | 1536 by 1024 |
| Panel Technology | IPS |
| Screen Refresh Rate | 60 Hz |
| Graphics Processor | Intel Iris Xe Graphics |
| Wireless Networking | 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6), Bluetooth 5.1 |
| Dimensions (HWD) | 0.62 by 11 by 8.1 inches |
| Weight | 2.49 pounds |
| Operating System | Windows 11 |
| Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes) | 14:47 |
PERFORMANCE
Despite being a whole new product, the Surface Laptop Go 3 is outfitted with a chip first released in February of last year. Utilizing the Alder Lake-U architecture from the chipmaker, the Intel i5-1235U has integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics and a 2.5GHz clock speed. Compared to its predecessor, the 11th generation Intel Core i5-1135G7, which had a clock speed of 2.4GHz, this represents a little boost.
When I used the Surface Laptop Go 3 with 16GB RAM, which is the more expensive model, it managed one active browser window with six or more tabs at once. But its fan didn’t start to spin up, and I only noticed lag once I had two browser windows open side by side with a video chat in one of my open tabs. The Surface Laptop Go 3 isn’t the laptop to buy if you want to edit photos or videos often, but it can do minor image editing in GIMP without any lag. Rather, it works far better for less demanding activities like online surfing and office work.
DESIGN
With dimensions of 10.9 x 8.1 x 0.6 inches and a weight of 2.4 pounds, the Surface Notebook Go 3 is an incredibly compact and lightweight notebook. It weighs less than Apple’s MacBook Air M2, which weighs 2.7 pounds. The Surface Laptop Go 3 is this the kind of gadget you can effortlessly carry around in your bag without feeling burdened by it.
I really enjoy our review model in Sage with a little green tinge, and the aluminum chassis gives the gadget a quality feel. Although I haven’t seen the other shades in person, the Sandstone and Ice Blue versions of the Surface Laptop Go 3 look as amazing as the Sage version. For those who want a laptop with a more conventional appearance, Platinum is also an option.
Two gripping rubber pads on the underside of the Surface Laptop Go 3 that stretch from one end of the tablet to the other. I’m glad these cushions prevented the laptop from slipping across my desk and allowed me to open its lid with one hand while securely in place.
Display
The 12.4-inch Surface Laptop Go 3 display has a 3:2 aspect ratio and a resolution of 1,536 x 1,024, or under 1080p. Because it eliminates the need to scroll, the 3:2 display is very helpful for writing and online surfing. Additionally, the Surface Laptop Go 3 has a touchscreen, and using it to scroll instead of the touchpad or arrow buttons seemed natural.
According to Microsoft, the device’s display can achieve up to 320 nits of brightness, and our testing confirmed this. In our test lab, we measured the screen’s brightness with a Klein 10-A colorimeter, and the average intelligence was 322 nits, with a peak brightness of 331 nits in the center. In my tests, the laptop functioned just as well, although I found it challenging to use outside, even with the screen at maximum brightness. The MacBook Air M2, on the other hand, reached 498 nits with HDR content and averaged 473.6 nits of brightness (the Surface Laptop Go 3 does not support HDR, but the new Surface Laptop Studio 2 does).
Although the Surface Laptop Go 3 is an improvement over its predecessor in many ways, apart from a more powerful base model and an improved CPU, there need to be more changes to set it apart in the competitive Windows laptop market. But if you want one of the most portable Windows 11 devices out now, it could be worthwhile to purchase—providing its constraints don’t significantly affect your productivity.
FAQ
Microsoft Surface Go 3: worth it?
Compare Laptops. The Microsoft Surface Go 3’s construction, display, and camera set it apart from rival 2-in-1 laptops in its price range. The Intel CPU is weak, and a comparable-cost Windows laptop with a faster processor is available.
Why is the Surface Go 3 slow?
The Surface may be excessively heated. Move your Surface to a cooler place, wait five minutes, and check for speed. Plug your Surface. Close memory-intensive apps like streaming video or games for a few minutes.
Does Surface Go 3 fast-charge?
Surface Go, Surface Go 2, Surface Go 3, Surface Go 4, and Surface Laptop SE need a 60W power source or USB Type-C PD charger. Fast Charging is possible with a Surface Dock and the 90W power adapter that comes with it.
