The Microsoft Surface Go 3 is a versatile 2-in-1 device designed to be an affordable and portable option in the Surface lineup. Here’s a breakdown of its key features and performance:
Design and Build Quality:
The Surface Go 3 maintains the sleek, premium design seen in previous Surface Go models. Its magnesium alloy body gives it a durable feel, while its compact 10.5-inch display makes it highly portable. Weighing around 1.2 pounds, it’s perfect for users who prioritize mobility, whether for travel or casual use. The kickstand, which can be adjusted to various angles, adds to its versatility, making it easy to switch between tablet and laptop mode.
Display:
The 10.5-inch PixelSense Display with a resolution of 1920x1280 is one of the highlights of the Surface Go 3. The screen is sharp, vibrant, and responsive to touch, making it great for consuming media, working on light tasks, or using as a tablet. The 3:2 aspect ratio is especially useful for productivity, giving you more vertical space when browsing or working with documents.
Performance:
The Surface Go 3 is powered by either an Intel Pentium Gold 6500Y or the Intel Core i3-10100Y processor, with RAM options of 4GB or 8GB. While this performance is enough for basic tasks like web browsing, document editing, and streaming, it’s not built for more intensive workloads like video editing or heavy multitasking. Users looking for higher performance for demanding applications may find this device lacking.
For light productivity tasks and media consumption, it’s snappy enough, though the Pentium variant may struggle a bit with more tabs or applications open simultaneously. The i3 variant improves performance slightly but still targets casual users.
Battery Life:
The Surface Go 3 offers decent battery life for its size, though it doesn’t quite match Microsoft’s more premium Surface devices. Expect around 6 to 8 hours of usage on average, depending on your tasks. This is enough for a day of light productivity, though it may fall short for heavier use or long trips without access to a charger.
Ports and Connectivity:
The Surface Go 3 is equipped with a USB-C port, a headphone jack, a Surface Connect port for charging, and a microSDXC card reader for storage expansion. While the USB-C port is a welcome addition, some users might find the lack of additional ports limiting. Wireless connectivity includes Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0, ensuring faster and more reliable connections.