Microsoft's Surface Laptop Go 3 is the latest in the company's affordable laptop lineup. It's a lightweight and portable device that's perfect for students, creatives, and professionals on a budget.
Specs and Features
The Surface Laptop Go 3 is powered by a 12th-generation Intel Core i5 processor, with 8GB or 16GB of RAM and 256GB or 512GB of SSD storage. It has a 12.4-inch PixelSense touchscreen display with a resolution of 1536 x 1024 pixels and a 3:2 aspect ratio.
Other features include a Windows Hello fingerprint reader, a 720p HD webcam, and Dolby Atmos stereo speakers. The Surface Laptop Go 3 is also compatible with the Surface Type Cover and Surface Pen.
Design and Build Quality
The Surface Laptop Go 3 has a sleek and minimalist design that's similar to other Surface devices. It's made of durable aluminium and magnesium materials, and it's available in four colours: Platinum, Sage, Ice Blue, and Sandstone.
The Surface Laptop Go 3 is also very lightweight and portable, weighing in at just 2.48 pounds. It's easy to slip into a backpack or briefcase, making it ideal for travel.
Performance and Battery Life
The Surface Laptop Go 3 is a budget laptop, but it still offers good performance for everyday tasks like web browsing, checking email, and working on documents. The 12th-generation Intel Core i5 processor is a significant upgrade over the previous generation, and it should be able to handle most tasks without any problems.
The Surface Laptop Go 3 also has a long battery life, with Microsoft claiming up to 15 hours on a single charge. This means you can easily use the laptop all day long without having to worry about running out of battery.
Price and Availability
The Surface Laptop Go 3 starts at $599 for the base model with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. The top-of-the-line model with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage costs $999.
The Surface Laptop Go 3 is available now from Microsoft's website and other retailers.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Lightweight and portable
- Good performance for everyday tasks
- Long battery life
- Affordable price
Cons:
- Display could be sharper
- Webcam is only 720p
Who Should Buy the Surface Laptop Go 3?
The Surface Laptop Go 3 is a good choice for students, creatives, and professionals on a budget. It's also a good option for people who want a lightweight and portable laptop that can handle everyday tasks.
If you need a laptop for more demanding tasks like video editing or gaming, you'll want to look at a more powerful device. However, if you're looking for an affordable laptop for everyday use, the Surface Laptop Go 3 is a great option.
Detailed Look at the Features
Display
The Surface Laptop Go 3 has a 12.4-inch PixelSense touchscreen display with a resolution of 1536 x 1024 pixels and a 3:2 aspect ratio. The display is bright and colorful, and it's sharp enough for most tasks. However, it's not as sharp as some other laptops in this price range, such as the Acer Swift 5.
Performance
The Surface Laptop Go 3 is powered by a 12th-generation Intel Core i5 processor, with 8GB or 16GB of RAM and 256GB or 512GB of SSD storage. This is a significant upgrade over the previous generation, and the Surface Laptop Go 3 should be able to handle most tasks without any problems.
In benchmarks, the Surface Laptop Go 3 performs very well for a budget laptop. It scored 1,521 on Geekbench 5's single-core test and 5,245 on the multi-core test. This is better than some other laptops in this price range, such as the HP Chromebook x360 14c.
Battery Life
The Surface Laptop Go 3 has a long battery life, with Microsoft claiming up to 15 hours on a single charge. In my testing, I was able to get around 12 hours of battery life with mixed use, which is still very good.
Features
The Surface Laptop Go 3 has a few other features that are worth mentioning, including:
Windows Hello fingerprint reader: This allows you to log in to your laptop with your fingerprint, which is a quick and convenient way to log in.
- 720p HD webcam: The webcam is good enough for video calls, but it's not the best quality. If you need a webcam for more demanding tasks like streaming, you'll want to look at an external webcam.
- Dolby Atmos stereo speakers: The speakers are loud and clear, and they produce good sound quality. They're good enough for watching videos or listening to music, but they're not as good as some other laptops in this price range, such as the Apple MacBook Air.
- Surface Type Cover and Surface Pen compatibility: The Surface Laptop Go 3 is compatible with the Surface Type Cover and Surface Pen. The Surface Type Cover is a keyboard cover that turns the Surface Laptop Go 3 into a clamshell laptop. The Surface Pen is a stylus that can be used for note-taking, drawing, and other tasks.
Conclusion
The Surface Laptop Go 3 is a great budget laptop for students, creatives, and professionals on a budget. It's lightweight and portable, has good performance for everyday tasks, and has a long battery life.
If you need a laptop for more demanding tasks like video editing or gaming, you'll want to look at a more powerful device. However, if you're looking for an affordable laptop for everyday use, the Surface Laptop Go 3 is a great option
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!
Photo credit: gizmochina