Microsoft announced the Surface Laptop Go 3 at its September 2023 event, and it's now available for purchase. It's the latest iteration of the company's most affordable Surface laptop, and it comes with a number of upgrades, including a new 12th-generation Intel Core processor, more RAM, and more storage.
Design and build quality
The Surface Laptop Go 3 has the same overall design as its predecessor, with a sleek and minimalist look. It's made out of a combination of aluminium and polycarbonate, and it feels well-built and sturdy. The laptop is also very lightweight and portable, coming in at just 2.45 pounds.
Display
The Surface Laptop Go 3 has a 12.4-inch PixelSense touchscreen display with a resolution of 1536x1024 pixels. It's not the sharpest display on the market, but it's still bright and clear, with good colour reproduction. The display also supports multi-touch gestures, so you can interact with Windows 11 using your fingers.
Performance
The Surface Laptop Go 3 is powered by a new 12th-generation Intel Core i5-1235U processor. This is a significant upgrade over the 11th-generation Intel Core i5 processor that was used in the previous model. The new processor offers faster performance in both single-threaded and multi-threaded workloads.
The Surface Laptop Go 3 also comes with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of SSD storage by default. You can configure the laptop with up to 16GB of RAM and 512GB of SSD storage, but this will increase the price.
Overall, the Surface Laptop Go 3 is a very capable laptop for everyday tasks such as browsing the web, checking email, and working on documents. It can also handle more demanding tasks such as photo editing and video streaming.
Battery life
Microsoft claims that the Surface Laptop Go 3 can last up to 13 hours on a single charge. This is based on typical usage, but you may be able to get even more battery life if you're not using the laptop for demanding tasks.
Ports
The Surface Laptop Go 3 has a limited selection of ports. It has a single USB-C port, a Surface Connect port, and a headphone jack. This is a bit disappointing, as we would have liked to see at least one more USB-C port.
Keyboard and trackpad
The Surface Laptop Go 3 has a comfortable keyboard with good travel. The keys are also well-spaced, which makes it easy to type without making mistakes. The trackpad is also very good. It's large and responsive, and it supports multi-touch gestures.
Security features
The Surface Laptop Go 3 comes with a number of security features, including a fingerprint sensor and Windows Hello. The fingerprint sensor allows you to log in to your laptop with your fingerprint, and Windows Hello allows you to log in to your laptop with your face.
Price and availability
The Surface Laptop Go 3 starts at $799 for the base model with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of SSD storage. You can configure the laptop with up to 16GB of RAM and 512GB of SSD storage, but this will increase the price.
The Surface Laptop Go 3 is available for purchase now from Microsoft's website and select retailers.
Overall verdict
The Surface Laptop Go 3 is a great option for anyone looking for an affordable and portable Windows laptop. It has a sleek design, a comfortable keyboard, and a good trackpad. It's also very powerful for its price, and it has long battery life.
Here is a more detailed look at the Surface Laptop Go 3's features and specifications:
Processor: Intel Core i5-1235U RAM: 8GB or 16GB LPDDR5 Storage: 256GB or 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD Display: 12.4-inch PixelSense touchscreen display with a resolution of 1536x1024 pixels Battery life: Up to 13 hours on a single charge Ports: 1x USB-C, 1x Surface Connect, 1x headphone jack Keyboard: Backlit keyboard with comfortable travel Trackpad: Large and responsive trackpad with support for multi-touch gestures Security features: Fingerprint sensor, Windows Hello Price: Starts at $799
Who should buy the Surface Laptop Go 3?
The Surface Laptop Go 3 is a great option for a variety of users, including:
- Students: The Surface Laptop Go 3 is a lightweight and portable laptop that's perfect for students who need to carry their laptop around campus. It's also powerful enough to handle most student-related tasks, such as writing essays, creating presentations, and browsing the web.
- Business travellers: The Surface Laptop Go 3 is also a good option for business travellers who need a lightweight and portable laptop that they can take with them on work trips. It's also powerful enough to handle most business-related tasks, such as checking email, creating presentations, and working on documents.
- Casual users: The Surface Laptop Go 3 is also a good option for casual users who need a laptop for basic tasks such as browsing the web, checking email, and watching videos. It's also a good option for users who want a lightweight and portable laptop that they can take with them on the go.
Here are some specific examples of users who might benefit from buying the Surface Laptop Go 3:
- A college student who needs a lightweight and portable laptop for classes and studying.
- A business traveller who needs a laptop that they can easily take with them on work trips.
- A parent who needs a laptop to help their kids with their homework and to browse the web and check email.
- A retiree who needs a laptop to stay connected with friends and family, to browse the web, and to watch videos.
- Anyone else who needs a lightweight and portable laptop for basic tasks or for use on the go.
Hence, the Surface Laptop Go 3 is a great option for anyone who needs an affordable, lightweight, and portable Windows laptop. It's powerful enough to handle most everyday tasks, and it has long battery life.
Here are some additional things to consider when deciding whether or not the Surface Laptop Go 3 is the right laptop for you:
- Budget: The Surface Laptop Go 3 starts at $799, which is a very affordable price for a Windows laptop. However, the price can go up if you configure the laptop with more RAM and storage.
- Portability: The Surface Laptop Go 3 is very lightweight and portable, weighing just 2.45 pounds. This makes it a great option for students, business travelers, and anyone else who needs to carry their laptop around with them.
- Performance: The Surface Laptop Go 3 is powerful enough to handle most everyday tasks, such as browsing the web, checking email, and working on documents. However, it's not the most powerful laptop on the market, so it's not ideal for demanding tasks such as video editing and gaming.
- Battery life: The Surface Laptop Go 3 has excellent battery life, lasting up to 13 hours on a single charge. This makes it a great option for users who need a laptop that they can use all day without having to worry about running out of power.
If you're looking for an affordable, lightweight, and portable Windows laptop with good battery life, the Surface Laptop Go 3 is a great option. However, if you need a laptop for demanding tasks such as video editing and gaming, you may want to consider a more powerful laptop.
The Best Type of Screen Protectors for Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3
1. Nano Glass Screen Protector:
- High Transparency: Nano glass screen protectors are known for their exceptional transparency, ensuring that your laptop's display remains clear and vibrant.
- Durability: They offer excellent scratch resistance, protecting your laptop's screen from daily wear and tear.
- Smooth Touch Experience: Nano glass screen protectors provide a smooth and responsive touch experience, closely mimicking the feel of your laptop's original screen.
2. Anti-Glare Screen Protector:
- Glare Reduction: Anti-glare screen protectors are designed to minimise reflections and glare, making it easier to use your laptop in bright or outdoor environments.
- Scratch Protection: They offer some level of scratch protection, safeguarding your screen from minor scratches.
- Privacy: Some anti-glare screen protectors may also double as privacy screens, preventing people from viewing your screen from side angles.
3. Antiviral Screen Protector:
- Hygienic: Anti-viral screen protectors incorporate technology that inhibits the growth of bacteria and viruses on the screen's surface, making it ideal for shared or public environments.
- Screen Protection: They provide a certain level of scratch resistance and smudge protection, similar to standard screen protectors.
- Health Benefits: These protectors can contribute to a cleaner and more hygienic screen, which is particularly relevant in the context of public health concerns.
4. Premium Film Screen Protector:
- Clarity: Premium film screen protectors are designed to maintain excellent screen clarity and touch sensitivity.
- Ease of Application: They are relatively easy to apply and remove, and they often come with installation kits to minimise bubbles and misalignment.
- Scratch Resistance: They offer good scratch resistance, protecting your screen from minor scratches.
When selecting a screen protector for your Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3, consider your specific needs. If you prioritise scratch resistance and clarity, Nano Glass or Premium Film protectors are solid choices. For outdoor or bright environments, an Anti-Glare protector can be beneficial. If hygiene is a concern, an Antiviral protector can help maintain a cleaner screen.
Check out ScreenShield to check out our options!