Microsoft Surface Go 3
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Product Overview
Microsoft Surface Go 3 is an entry-level tablet powered by Windows 11. An incremental update of the Surface Go 2 from last year, the Surface Go 3 still uses underpowered Intel processors with limited computing power and storage space.
Other let-downs include the same FHD+ touch display that receives no upgrade, the omission of cellular data, and the absence of feature updates.
This highlights the inherent dual personality of this tablet: On the one hand, it is missing all the latest features (except Windows 11); on the other hand, Microsoft continues to encase the device in an magnesium alloy chassis.
It is an ok option for children in education use cases, though to what extent children should be educated on a tablet is a decision that parent should make.
Ratings
What we found
Pros
- Beautiful 3:2 display
- Long battery life
- Surface Pen included
- Bright and colorful display
Cons
- Mediocre performance
- Only one USB-C port
What external reviewers found
External score 58%
Pros
- Good performance
- Great display
- Decent build quality
Cons
- Slow processor
- Weak speakers
- Weak keyboard
- Lackluster performance
- Mediocre battery life
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Price Comparison
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Specifications
Related Products
- Slim bezels and better performance than the original Surface
- Long battery life
- USB-C port, headphone jack, and MicroSD card slot
External Reviews
digitaltrends[1]
Reviewer score 65% (normalized by Neofiliac)Packed inside the tiny Surface Go 3's chassis is a 28 watt-hour battery. Overall, I'd have to rate battery life as mediocre at best. You're not likely to get through a full working day without plugging in unless you're watching video. There's no way to block or turn off the webcam, which is an increasingly common privacy feature.
Pros
- Great display
- Solid performance
- Comfortable keyboard
Cons
- Mediocre battery life
gizmodo[2]
Reviewer score 56% (normalized by Neofiliac)The Surface Go 3 is available with two different dual-core chip configurations. In Geekbench 5, the Go 3 scored in line with mid-range Android devices like the Galaxy Tab S7 FE. In WebXPRT, it tested comparably to Apple's latest 9th-gen iPad. The key is to figure out how you prefer to use it.
Pros
- Compact, lightweight design
- Solid performance
- Good battery life
Cons
- No Thunderbolt 3 port
laptopmag[3]
Reviewer score 55% (normalized by Neofiliac)The Microsoft Surface Go 3 comes with Windows 11 Home without all the third-party bloatware. The Go 3 doesn't come with anything but Microsoft Teams, Microsoft 365 (which you can opt-out of), the Edge browser, and Xbox Game Bar. There's also MS Paint, Whiteboard, and the typical apps you get in Windows.
Pros
- Bright, colorful display
- Good battery life
- Comfortable keyboard
Cons
- Underwhelming performance
- Underwhelming keyboard
ndtv[4]
Reviewer score 58% (normalized by Neofiliac)The Microsoft Surface Go 3 easily functions as a productivity machine once you attach the keyboard. Windows is a bit of a pain to use without a stylus, and the lack of good tablet-friendly apps in the Windows Store doesn't help its case either. Casual games ran well, but anything with heavy 3D graphics struggled. Audio from the stereo speakers is loud and clear, and video is clean even in a dimly lit room.
Pros
- Decent build quality
- Decent performance
- Good battery life
- Good speakers
Cons
- Weak keyboard
- Weak speakers
notebookcheck[5]
Reviewer score 62% (normalized by Neofiliac)Microsoft's small convertible is more versatile with the new Windows 11. The Surface Go 3 only manages 7 hours in the Wi-Fi test (or 4:41 hours in full brightness) An upgrade from the Surface Go 2 is not worth it, because the new Core i3 processor does not offer any additional performance. For many users, current tablets from Samsung or Apple might be better.
Pros
- Very compact design
- Very good WLAN performance
- Decent battery life
Cons
- Mediocre performance
- No SD card reader
pcmag[6]
Reviewer score 47% (normalized by Neofiliac)Microsoft's Surface Go 3 is the best 2-in-1 tablet on the strictest of budgets. But with scarcely enough power to enjoy a robust computing experience, the Go 3 isn't necessarily the best detachable for the job. Unless you need Windows, or especially want to try the new OS in tablet format, you'll probably be better off with an iPad, or a detachable Chromebook tablet.
Pros
- Sleek design
- Excellent battery life
- Decent performance for the price
Cons
- Lackluster performance
- No Thunderbolt 3 port
pcworld[7]
Reviewer score 65% (normalized by Neofiliac)We run four performance tests: PCMark 10, Cinebench R15, Handbrake, and 3DMark. With the power mode’s performance setting turned up to best performance, the Go 3 records a score of 2,804. The older Surface Go 2 report higher scores than the Surface Go 3, both in multithreaded and single-threaded applications.
Pros
- Sleek design
- Good battery life
- Good performance
Cons
- No LTE option
- Only one USB Type-C port
techradar[8]
Reviewer score 75% (normalized by Neofiliac)Microsoft has clearly put a lot of thought into making the video calling experience excellent on the Surface Go 3. The webcam on this thing is absolutely amazing, easily capturing all the detail in our face without washing out colors. The microphone is also simply excellent, capturing our voice without any distortion. And of course the webcam supports Windows Hello, and it is the best integration we've seen yet.
Pros
- Beautiful design
- Excellent webcam
- Great value for money
Cons
- Battery life could be better
- No Windows 11 support
theverge[9]
Reviewer score 64% (normalized by Neofiliac)The Surface Go 3 has a 10.5-inch touchscreen and costs $399.99 with a Y-series processor. It's possible to get all those Windows benefits without making all the compromises the Go 3 demands. If you don't need Windows, there are plenty of computers that are just slightly larger but offer way better value.
Pros
- Sleek, light design
- Long battery life
- Lots of ports
Cons
- No Arm-based processor
- Keyboard is flimsy
tomsguide[10]
Reviewer score 42% (normalized by Neofiliac)On Geekbench 5 general performance benchmark, the Surface Go 3 posted a rather mediocre 1,571. The U-series Intel Core i7-1185G7 chip in the Surface Pro 8 kicked out a 5,347. The Surface Go's10.5-inch screen is a tad too small to make use of the snap spacing.
Pros
- Great performance
- Attractive design
- Long battery life
Cons
- Mediocre keyboard
- Slow processor
wired[11]
Reviewer score 55% (normalized by Neofiliac) Surface Go 3 launches alongside Windows 11, the first-named iteration of Microsoft's OS since Windows 10 launched in 2015. That update brings a lot of quality-of-life upgrades for touchscreen users, which might make this tablet appealing for casual readers and note-takers. On the other hand, if you're looking for a more casual device for reading, watching YouTube, or occasionally taking notes, this could be a great tablet.
Pros
- Slim Pen is still compatible as a wireless pen
- Good battery life
- Decent performance
Cons
- Battery life could be better
References
- ^ Microsoft Surface Go 3 review: Third time’s a charm. [digitaltrends].
- ^ I Love the Idea of a Windows 11 Tablet, but the Surface Go 3 Is Just OK. [gizmodo].
- ^ Microsoft Surface Go 3 review. [laptopmag].
- ^ Microsoft Surface Go 3 Review: A Compact Tablet With Laptop Aspirations. [ndtv].
- ^ Microsoft Surface Go 3 in review - The compact convertible now with Windows 11. [notebookcheck].
- ^ Microsoft Surface Go 3 Review. [pcmag].
- ^ Surface Go 3 review: A lateral upgrade for Microsoft’s uniquely affordable tablet. [pcworld].
- ^ Microsoft Surface Go 3 review. [techradar].
- ^ Microsoft Surface Go 3 review: left behind. [theverge].
- ^ Microsoft Surface Go 3 review. [tomsguide].
- ^ Review: Microsoft Surface Go 3. [wired].
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