Customer Ratings & Reviews

This is my first Microsoft laptop and it's a solid laptop. I use it primarily for working from home, however I am able to run Steam and all of my games with barely any noticeable FPS issues. I have no issues with speed or battery life like I did with my HP laptops in the past. I know this laptop is a little pricey which had me hesitant at first but I definitely recommend this. Pros : Great Screen Quality, Battery Life, Speed Performance, Great Portability & lightweight Cons : I bought the sage color and it seems more grey than sage.

The operating system runs smoothly and efficiently, handling tasks with ease. Whether you're browsing the web, editing documents, or multitasking between applications, the laptop delivers a seamless experience. The sleek design of the Surface Laptop adds to its appeal. Its slim profile and minimalist aesthetic make it a stylish choice for professionals on the go. The device blends into any environment, whether you're in the office or a coffee shop. It's incredibly light, making it ideal for frequent travelers or anyone who needs to carry their laptop with them throughout the day. Despite its featherweight construction, it doesn't compromise on durability or build quality.

I purchased this Laptop online and got it 3 days after! Great costumer service, had a couple of questions and they answered fast and efficiently. The laptop is beautiful and works very well!!

It's perfect! I needed a laptop for college. Something light, simple, and can fit in a backpack. I got it during black friday and I got a really good deal on it, 200 off! Ive had no issues with it currently and its been a helpful tool for me. I got a green one, very pretty.

This laptop is great! I got it originally for school and it works great. The softwares that I need for school run smoothly and my battery life is pretty solid considering I use this laptop sometimes up to 5-6 hours. The display is great and overall very fast. Would definitely recommend this laptop to incoming college freshman!

Very light weight and great for on the good definitely recommend!!!

Overall really great laptop for school work! It’s light, it’s smooth in some aspects, and is aesthetically pleasing to look at too! Although, I did have a Surface computer/tablet prior to getting this laptop, so I got used to putting the charging cable on the side of the screen rather then next to the keyboard. This slight difference has been my only inconvenience because, in my opinion, takes longer to connect together. The receiver of the charger being on the side of the screen was much more convenient.

The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 offers a compelling balance of performance and portability. With its lightweight design and a vibrant 12.4-inch PixelSense touchscreen, it's a versatile device for productivity on the go. The choice of 11th Gen Intel Core processors ensures smooth multitasking, and the inclusion of USB-C adds modern connectivity. However, the limited configuration options might leave power users wanting more. Overall, it's a solid choice for users prioritizing a compact, stylish laptop for everyday tasks.

I love this computer so much! The quality is absolutely incredible, there is a fingerprint sensor on the power button which you can set up and it unlocks super fast. I enjoy playing video games on it and I especially love the sleek design of the computer and the design of its charger. Overall this computer is really good high end quality

Is a good laptop for someone like the precise job. Is very fast for charges and when you download apps is easy and fast.

This is the perfect laptop for everyone! It’s very light weight and easy to use. The color is very vibrant.

the best comp for the price! I have 4 in different colors.

Came earlier than expected. I live the quality of this product.

Love it! Amazing laptop for a business student. In love.

I love this computer. Updated from a Mac and I’m in school. So much more practical and light

I’m on campus for 9 hours and this laptop died mid day. It’s also not that lightweight. I had to return it since it didn’t work for me.

It's very handy and the features are best more than it's price.Keyboards are very easy as if one will not apply force to press each of the keys.tje OLED is really best for the eyes even night time of works, there is no glare for the monitor itself adjust automatically. I really love it... This far more better than the MacBook I've been an avid Mac book user since 2000.

The laptop is really good but, the only thing is that the sound it makes it really loud.

Decades-long Mac user here, well versed with the so-called “Apple Tax,” -- the price difference between a Mac and a similarly equipped Windows PC. I use PCs too, as some of my professional software and collaboration tools require. So I recently picked up Microsoft’s 12.4” Surface Go 3 Laptop (“Go 3”, going forward). It’s a super light, impressively constructed, good-in-hand feeling, dare I say “MacBook Air-like” looking, laptop. It also seems to mimic Macs, paradoxically, with a “Microsoft Tax.” That is to say, it seems more expensive compared to similarly spec’d PC laptops. It’s a good product but there are considerations to make. I’ll outline the major ones, but if you only want a “bottom line,” feel free to scroll to my conclusion. There’s lots of criticism of the Go 3, some understandable. Still, these reviewers fail to appreciate who it’s for -- people who neither enjoy working on tablets nor hunky plastic laptops and are willing to pay a bit more for better experience. Naturally, the Go 3 isn’t the laptop for anyone who demands value for money as viewed from the laptop’s spec sheet. But for some reviewers, it seems, the spec sheet is the only way to weigh a laptop’s intrinsic worth. I disagree. Thoughtful design and upscale materials have value too. Many who don’t need top specs would gladly trade those for top build materials. This is where the Go 3 fits into the equation. It’s perfect for Office type tasks, light photo and video editing, a casual game. The mid-priced laptop options that include aluminum cases, glass touch screens, and most importantly decent keyboard – though the Go 3’s isn’t backlit, are few. I find the “Surface” designation here confusing. There is another Surface Go 3 product that is a tablet. This is not that. This is the Surface Go 3 Laptop, which obviously is a laptop, but doesn’t have a folding screen to become a Surface tablet. And while the Go 3’s screen is touch sensitive it’s not compatible with the Surface Pen. I’m just not sure what makes it a “Surface” product. EXTERIOR BUILD QUALITY But, perhaps, “Surface,” in the name is appropriate because on the surface this laptop is a beauty. Unboxing it has an unmistakable Apple feel to it. I know because I’ve opened my fair share of Apple laptops. It’s calculated to reinforce it’s a premium device. And, indeed, my first touch of Surface Go 3 Laptop put a smile on face because I loathe plasticky laptops. Yes, build materials matter. The Go 3’s lid is aluminum. Oh how I love the feel of aluminum in the morning. Mine is a bold shade of light green that is some light looks silver, but several other colors and traditional platinum are available too. It’s also featherweight at 2.5lbs. Easy for road trips and walking around with it, in hand, or on back. The left side has a USB-A, USB-C, and 3.5mm headphone port. Microsoft’s Surface Connect Port, which resembles a SD slot, is on the right. The charger goes here and also supports the optional dock which provides extra inputs. Go 3 fast charges to 80% in an hour. The battery lasts 9-ish hours in my use. I keep brightness ¾ up. The USB-C port supports charging with a proper USB-C PD cable, as well as video out to a 2nd monitor (Displayport). Microsoft says Go 3’s bottom is an aluminum and polycarbonate composite. It feels more polycarbonate to me, but it’s a silky luxury feel that elicits happy thoughts. The bottom is also user-removable, allowing you (or a qualified tech if you prefer) to upgrade storage. In today’s “sealed and soldered” society that is a notable feature, and one that could extend the useful life of this laptop. INTERIOR BUILD QUALITY & IN USE EXPERIENCE The only accessory included with the Go 3 is the charger. Microsoft’s attempt to Apple-fy the Go 3’s appearance does not extend here. Unlike Apple’s brilliant super compact travel chargers, Microsoft stayed old school here. The Go 3’s charger is a compact, but still a clunky two-piece brick with cable plus another detachable long snaking cord. These are like a ball and chain when traveling, ironic for a laptop named “Go.” Fortunately, as mentioned, USB-C charging is available too. Opening the lid for the first time the Go 3’s mechanics and aesthetics do not disappoint. It’s smooth one-finger open is a joy and its interior design is eye candy. It possesses the same clean modern look as the exterior, aluminum bits too. Display bezels are in scale, the keyboard is inviting and no cheap reflective decals on the keys. Its divine to feel my palms brushing on cool aluminum rather than tepid plastic. The embedded fingerprint reader is a nice touch too – literally -- for instant log in. PIN, be banished to the wilderness! The Go 3’s keyboard is the perfect mix of travel, resistance, and bounce. It feels smaller than a full-sized keyboard so if you have large hands this might be something you want to test drive before buying. Its “criminal” it's not backlit. This blows my mind considering the Go 3 is not “value priced,” and that backlit keyboards are a 20th Century technology! If you always work under good light this may not factor otherwise this is a significant compromise. Keyboard visibility is poor using only the Go’s display for illumination. The trackpad is shrunk too, but quite usable. It has a smooth glassy feel with excellent responsive clicks. The Go 3’s specs plus form factor, to me, is a clear indication its geared for people searching for a comfortable and upscale daily driver, in a way like a modestly equipped 4-cylinder BMW/MB/Audi/Lexus, etc. that is not intended for going off road or on a track. So, yes, while it has an indulgent feel, the Go 3’s specs are ordinary. This starts with the Go 3’s run-of-the-mill screen: 1536x1024 resolution, square-ish 3:2 display ratio. If you watch a lot of movies on your laptop the Go 3 probably isn’t for you. You’ll be happier with a widescreen 16:9 or 16:10 display ratio model. The Go is productivity machine through and through. For that, 3:2 is ideal since it better mimics dimensions of a sheet of paper for less scrolling. Speaking of which, the screen’s glass cover allows for effortless fingers scrolling of pages. It even might be more efficient than the trackpad for this job with its bigger finger roaming area. The unfortunate aspect of the screen is at standard magnification I notice pixels of text. If I pinch to zoom text smooths out, but given it’s 12.4” screen, you can only zoom in so much before its counterproductive. The only other 12” device I own is a 2018 iPad Pro. Text pixelation isn’t an issue on that device. As I mentioned at the top of the review, for me the Go 3 is only an ancillary laptop. If it will be your main laptop you might want to test the screen in person before buying. I have not used the 720p front camera extensively yet, but feedback from people receiving my video have said the picture quality was OK. I can’t quantify “OK,” except that I got a lot of “picture is great.” To be sure, I do video calls in a very well-lit room. I’m not concerned the camera is only 720p. Maybe it won’t show my sleep lines. THOUGHTS ON PROCESSOR, RAM, STORAGE Then we get to the guts of the Go 3: processor, RAM, storage. The Go 3’s detractors all complain that the 12th Gen i5 is two years old, soon to be three. That’s true. Then again, how much processing power does typical business software require? Some of the professional software I use isn’t significantly changed from a decade ago. But yes, if you are running software that requires the latest and greatest the Go 3 isn’t for you. RAM. I agree with the “naysayers” that 8GB RAM is ridiculously small for a non-budget priced computer in 2024 especially since RAM is not upgradable. From an environmental perspective alone, future proofing in this manner just seems like common sense. That said, in my use, with many Firefox tabs open along with a couple other apps, I have yet to feel any kind of lag due to lack of RAM. 8GB is fine today. But, again, it wasn’t too long ago when some other reviewer wrote “4GB on Windows is fine today.” Also check your software for its minimum requirements. Storage. Go 3 starts at 256GB storage. That’s 200GB of usable storage since Windows 11 and pre-installed apps take up space. “What’s enough?” is user dependent. On my main laptop I have 512GB and wouldn’t accept less because I don’t rely on cloud storage. But for someone who does and also only streams movies and music, 200GB might be overkill. My point here is some reviewers say 256 GB is inadequate. It may be for them. It’s fine for me on the Go 3 because most files I store are documents no bigger than 15 GB, most well under 1 GB. Again, the Go 3 is for business worker bees, not creatives turning out weekly YouTube videos. CONCLUSION I’m not a fan of PC laptops for many reasons, but build quality is certainly one factor of many. For me the Go 3 eliminated that one, as Microsoft clearly designed something gorgeous here; one that I enjoy picking up and want to use. When it comes to productivity I think build quality does matter and is worth paying a premium for because when you are comfortable you’re able to focus on work rather than how wimpy the key return is or icky the palm rests. Then again, as many have noted, you can get better value for money elsewhere as far as internal components are concerned. The Go 3’s specs don’t bother me since my work software doesn’t demand a high-powered computer. Critics have a point though; the Go 3 is a bit luxury priced considering its aged components – in essence a “Microsoft Tax.” So, is the Go 3 right for you? Pick one: 1) Ultra-portable, luxury build, great touch-typing keyboard, everything else “average” 2) You need/want a powerhouse, only care about specs or want the knowledge you got the ultimate bargain. If you answered #1 then Go 3.

The new Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 (Model XK1-00006) is an evolution of its predecessor representing a slightly improved and more capable ultraportable laptop. The change consists of Microsoft replacing the former models Tiger Lake CPU with a newer Alder Lake CPU. The Surface Laptop Go 3 clearly is not a mobile workstation class laptop, nor is it a gamer’s choice. It is, however, a well-built, lightweight and compact laptop with enough CPU and sufficient features to be an asset in many use cases. The Surface Laptop Go 3 is nicely constructed with an anodized aluminum top and aluminum (top half of shell), and polycarbonate plastic (bottom half of shell) lower case. It has very compact dimensions of less than 11” long x approximately 8-1/8” wide x slightly more than ½” tall. It weighs 2 lbs-7.2 oz (1111) grams. These small dimensions and extremely light weight are very attractive attributes and truly embody an ultraportable designation. This ultraportable capability is my primary basis for selecting the Surface Laptop Go 3. The 12.4” PixelSense Display is a 10-point touchscreen with multi-touch capability and excellent sensitivity, covered with Corning Gorilla Glass 3. The screen resolution of only 1536 x 1024 (148 PPI), with a 3:2 aspect ratio and contrast ratio of only 1000:1 and maximum brightness of only 320 nits is something of a disappointment and a compromise. In a world of 4K (3840 x 2160 pixels) display panels, anything less than Full-HD (1920 x 1080 pixels) is sub-optimal and disappointing. However, to its credit, the 12.4” PixelSense Display still looks good and displays vibrant, saturated and accurate colors. Productivity applications look fine and video quality is very good. With the small screen size and low resolution, some small text and graphics appear pixelated and jagged. The laptop cover has a full-width hinge which opens a maximum of 135°, so the laptop cannot be used as a tablet or in tent mode. The IPS panel is also surrounded by wide, 5/16” black bezels. The performance capabilities of the Surface Laptop Go 3 are virtuous. The CPU is a 12th Generation Intel Core i5 – 1235U, 10 core (2 performance cores with maximum turbo frequency of 4.40 GHz and 8 efficient cores with maximum turbo frequency of 3.30 GHz), and 12 MB Intel Smart Cache. The integrated Intel Iris Xe G7 Graphics renders very good performance, as well. This Sage Green encased laptop is equipped with only 8 GB of LPDDR5 RAM and does reach its limits when memory demands are extremely high. However, while the 12th Generation Intel Core i5 CPU is an improvement over the CPU in the prior model Surface Laptop, this CPU is almost two years old having been launched in the 1st Quarter of 2022. In fact, the newer 13th Generation i5 CPUs can be found in laptops of similar price and lower price. Nevertheless, I am finding the laptop performance to be very good even when multiple applications and many browser windows and tabs are simultaneously open. The Surface Laptop Go 3 is available in four colors. The Ice Blue, Sage Green, Sandstone and Platinum case versions are all offered with 8 GB of RAM. The Platinum and Sage Green models are also available with 16 GB of RAM. My 8 GB, Sage Green laptop is equipped with a Samsung MZ9L4256HCJQ-00BMV, 256 GB solid state drive (SSD), which Microsoft states is removable. However, Microsoft adds the qualification, “This device does not contain user serviceable parts. Hard drive is only removable by an authorized technician following Microsoft provided instructions”. RAM cannot be user expanded. In fact, there is no user access to the internals in the case which has no screws to facilitate user entry. The laptop is equipped with a front facing camera of only 720p (0.9 megapixel) resolution which is adequate for use with Microsoft Teams, Zoom and other video-conferencing purposes. There is no privacy shutter for the camera. The audio is described as “Omnisonic Speakers with Dolby Audio Premium”, however there is no further information regarding that in the system. I found that the audio sounds good, with the sound emitted from the hinge slot at the top of the keyboard. There are “Dual far-field Studio Mics with Voice Clarity” on either side of the camera. Voice Clarity is a Windows 11 feature which purports to provide high-bandwidth audio processing. I find the audio quality to be satisfactory when evaluating the Surface Laptop Go 3 microphones when conferencing with it from another laptop or producing an audio recording. The connectivity provisions are minimal and sparse. There is just one USB-C 3.2 port (data, display port or charging) but no USB 4.0 / Thunderbolt 4, which is extremely disappointing. There is also one USB-A 3.1 port but no USB 3.2 or 3.2 Gen 2. A 3.5 mm (mini) headphone / audio output jack fills out the left side of the laptop case, although given the popularity and proliferation of Bluetooth headsets, I wonder why there is a mini-jack, at all. The right side has the proprietary Surface Connect port, for powering / charging the laptop with the 39 watt power supply. I genuinely wish that the faster USB standards were supported, particularly for achieving the high-speed transfer rates that my external USB drives are capable of. Another notable absence is that of an SD or Micro SD card reader. The Surface Laptop Go 3 has a full-size keyboard, but as is typical of laptops, it does not have a numeric keypad. The keyboard feel is excellent. Key travel and rebound, as well as key spacing are all good. However, another very disappointing compromise is that the otherwise excellent keyboard is not backlit. I frequently use my laptops in low light and even darkened rooms. I find that the lack of keyboard backlighting is a significant deficiency, which although almost certainly is a production cost based decision, seems extremely inappropriate for a laptop in this price range. Much less expensive and lower capability laptops have backlit keyboards. I am finding the lack of an illuminated keyboard to be annoying and problematic. Students or business professionals who need to use the laptop in a dim or darkened room might find this deficiency to be unacceptable. The Power Key serves as a biometric fingerprint reader for Windows Hello security. Sometimes it works great, and other times it fails to accept any of the multiple fingerprints that I enrolled, and use of my PIN code is required. The Surface Laptop Go 3 does not support facial recognition and does not have an IR camera. The 2-5.8” x 3-7/8” touchpad, although not glass, functions smoothly and precisely. Wireless connectivity conforms to current standards. Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) is supported as is Bluetooth 5.1. The Intel AX201 Wi-Fi and Bluetooth have demonstrated themselves to be stable and reliable, with a single exception. This laptop will not connect to the Wi-Fi 6 channels on my mesh network (single SSID for 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz and 6 GHz networks). My Surface Laptop Go 3 (2021) tablet, which uses the same Intel AX201 will not connect to 6 GHz channels either. My Dell laptop with Intel AX210 is fine with 6 GHz. The Surface Laptop Go 3, based on Microsoft’s testing protocols, has a claimed battery life of up to 15 hours of mixed active use and modern standby from the 41 Wh Lithium-Polymer battery. I have been using my Surface Laptop Go 3 extensively in order to install application software, configure the system and applications to my preferences and make productive use of the laptop with a variety of application software, web browsing, occasional video streaming and other typical laptop utilization. Post-configuration I began using (and continue to use) the Surface Laptop Go 3 as I typically use my primary laptop. Thus far, I have been getting between 4.5 and 6 hours before the battery falls below 10% which then requires approximately 3 hours to recharge to 100%. The battery evidently fast-charges initially to recover about 50% charge in less than an hour, but fast-charging stresses the battery and shortens its lifespan. The Surface Laptop Go 3 with its Intel 12th Generation, 10 core, i5 CPU and Intel Iris XE graphics provides a good level of performance in a small package. I use several laptops of various sizes, configuration and capabilities. When selecting the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3, I was endeavoring to meet my need for an ultraportable, compact, lightweight laptop that was capable of providing adequate levels of performance. Overall, the Surface Laptop Go 3 generally meets those needs well, but with several compromises. I would certainly appreciate more and higher bandwidth USB ports including USB 3.2.2 and USB 4 / Thunderbolt 4. I also miss having an SD or Micro SD card slot. I greatly miss having a backlit keyboard as I frequently use laptops in darkened locations. The otherwise nice display panel being sub-1080/1280p is also a compromise. The Surface Laptop Go 3 has a nice, premium appearance and solid physical construction. The CPU and related hardware run productivity applications capably. Although selecting the Surface Laptop Go 3 involves several compromises, in balance, the Surface Laptop Go 3 is still a decent laptop overall. The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 is a combination of good performance capabilities in an ultraportable package. I find it to be fast and stable. Like all current generation Intel based computers, it comes with Windows 11 (Home Edition) installed. I am enjoying my Surface Laptop Go 3 which is sufficiently powerful yet compact enough and lightweight enough to conveniently use anywhere. This is just the type of laptop which is well suited for use by college students for notetaking, and equally useful for business meetings. Yet, this small and lightweight machine has sufficient power for use as a primary laptop. I like the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3, and I enjoy using it, except when in dark rooms!