Customer Ratings & Reviews

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.

I’ll be extremely honest I am coming from an Apple Mac air laptop, which I had for many years. Which served its purpose for college at the time and internship. I am now past that. Being 30+ something and having a career I really need a laptop that’s good for my time to time remote work day as well as the occasional personal usage. This windows laptop is the best thing I’ve ever come across. I have had it for a little while now and I’ve been able to use it daily. I think that it is well worth it. It’s very clear and very fast in speed and overall has a nice sleek look. The battery life last long, which is something I feel extremely happy about because I can say that it last longer than my previous Apple MacBook last battery wise. I paid a total of $802 which was a bit pricey. However, It’s an investment that’s well worth it.

I really like this laptop! It has some weight so I don’t feel like I’ll break it easy, but not super heavy that I feel weighed down. I bought it for playing Sims and being able to surf the web when I need to and it does both things great. It does get a bit hot and my roommate says “it sounds like it’s about to take off” because of the fan inside of it LOL. That doesn’t bother me much because it only happens when running sims which is a big game. The color is also really pretty.

I recently purchased the Microsoft Surface 3, and after a month of use, I can share my experience. The design is sleek and lightweight, making it easy to carry around, which I appreciate for my on-the-go lifestyle. The 10.8-inch display is vibrant, perfect for streaming videos and working on documents. The built-in kickstand is a nice touch, allowing me to adjust the screen angle for different tasks. However, I found the performance to be a bit underwhelming. While it handles basic tasks like web browsing and email just fine, the Intel Atom processor struggles with more demanding applications, leading to occasional slowdowns. The storage is also a downside. I went with the base model, which has only 64GB of storage, and it filled up faster than I expected, especially with Windows updates. I had to rely on a microSD card for additional space. I also purchased the Type Cover keyboard separately, which adds to the overall cost. While it's functional, the keyboard feels a bit cramped for extended typing sessions. Overall, the Surface 3 is good for basic use, but if you need more power or storage, you might want to consider a more recent model.

great choice for college students. I have had it for a little over 5 months and haven’t had any issues. It's lightweight which makes it easy to carry around campus. The battery life is impressive, lasting all day on a single charge, and the laptop stays quiet with low fan noise, which is perfect for studying in quiet environments. The performance is solid for everyday tasks like note-taking, browsing, and working on assignments. Overall, it's a reliable, affordable laptop. Highly recommended for students!

The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 is a great pick for college students who need a lightweight, stylish, and reliable laptop for everyday tasks. With a 12.4” touchscreen, Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB RAM, and 256GB SSD, it handles web browsing, note-taking, and streaming smoothly.Overall, it’s a solid choice for students who want a stylish, compact, and efficient laptop for school and daily use.

I needed a legit computer for school this semester since some of my courses require software that can run on windows/mac. Wasn't happy about having to spend the money, but it's grown on me as time goes on. I've had an HP Spectre, iPad, MacBook, and Chromebook in the past, and am surprised to say this one takes the grand prize of being my favorite device believe it or not! Yeah you have to deal with windows OS, but I love the size and portability, long battery easily outlasting my back to back classes, keyboard, and overall build quality! Nice color this sage green shade as well ^_^. Decent price for decent specs that will get the job done. It's not the best in any one category compared to my previous devices, but it's the best all-rounder for my school needs.

Great size and weight for a laptop. I was a little concerned about the RAM size but have not had any issues with Windows 11 and copilot. I also thought that the screen resolution may be an issue but the brightness and contrast ratio really have made an impact to the experience. And when you are playing games like Minecraft, Roblox, and other web-based games, it's not an issue. The more I use it, the more I notice how light the device is and easy to move around with. And getting it on-sale at BestBuy is awesome!

I recently purchased the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 in Sage on December 15, 2023, and it has exceeded my expectations. The 12.4" touch-screen is vibrant and responsive, providing a seamless user experience. The Intel Core i5 processor, coupled with 8GB of memory and a spacious 256GB SSD, ensures swift multitasking and ample storage.The laptop's sleek design in Sage adds a touch of sophistication, making it not only a powerful device but also a stylish accessory. The portability of the Surface Laptop Go 3 is a standout feature, making it convenient for both work and leisure on the go.Although the price point might be on the higher side, the overall value and performance justify the investment. I appreciate the attention to detail in the construction, and the laptop's reliability has made it a valuable addition to my tech arsenal.

The laptop was so light weight and fast i loved the way the keyboard felt as well. i bought it mainly for the color but it did run great and worked super fast.

As college student i needed something that was small and lightweight with a long battery life. This purchase was a success i love this laptop. It’s a beautiful laptop it’s not bulk and heavy which makes my life so much easier. The battery life lasts long and it runs smoothly. Overall I do recommend if you are a college student.

## Design While you can think of the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 as Microsoft’s version of the MacBook Air (M2), there are some key differences you should know about. First, the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3’s dimensions are 10.95 x 8.12 x 0.62 inches, with a 12.4-inch screen with a resolution of 1536x1024, and a weight of 2.49 pounds. The MacBook Air (M2) is a little bit heavier (2.7 pounds) and has a larger 13.6-inch screen, which features a higher resolution of 2,560 x 1,664. While both the Surface and the MacBook feature a USB-C port (for display, data and charging) and a headphone jack, only the Surface offers a “traditional” USB-A port, while the MacBook instead has a second USB-C port. Disappointingly, there is no keyboard backlight on the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 (which is odd for a laptop at this price point), whereas the keyboard is backlit on the MacBook Air. I’m reviewing the “Sandstone” color which I believe resembles more of “Rose Gold” color of the iPhone than it does a brown sandstone. While the top of the laptop has a nice aluminum finish, the bottom feels like it is mostly plastic (although Microsoft states there is some aluminum mixed in with it as well). ## Performance Microsoft included last year’s i5 12th Gen Intel 1235U processor in the Surface Laptop Go 3 which is an odd choice for a laptop at this price point. For a couple hundred more (or less, depending if it’s on sale), you can get a MacBook Air with a current generation M2 processor). The Surface model I’m reviewing only has 8GB of RAM which is becoming the minimum amount you need for acceptable Windows 11 performance. If you can, I would spring for the 16GB model. The Cinebench R23 score came in with a Multi-core score of 5284 (for reference, a MacBook Air 2 M2 typically comes in around 8400). Even though the specs are not the best, I did test it out with some web development with Node.JS and Puppeteer and found it to still be very responsive, but I was easily maxing out the 8GB of RAM. You could enjoy some casual games on this laptop (think Candy Crush), but it likely won’t meet the needs of more graphics-intense games. ## Features - 12.4” Display: While a nice balance between size and portability, the screen is smaller than the MacBook Air and has a lower resolution of 1536x1024 (if you look closely at the screen, you can see the pixels). The screen is a touchscreen (something the MacBook Air does not have), but as such, the screen has a shiny finish meaning that it can be too reflective to use outdoors or near a window. - Fingerprint reader: The power button also serves as a fingerprint reader for Windows, allowing you to login to Windows quickly. Although the keyboard is not backlit, the fingerprint reader key does light up so you can easily find it when you are prompted for your fingerprint. - Dock and charge via USB-C: The 4 USB-C port on this laptop allowed me to “dock” it with both my Dell and Belkin USB-C docks without issue. ## Battery Life Microsoft states that the battery can last up to 15 hours with “normal” usage (I’m thinking editing a Word document on web browsing). I’ve easily gotten through a day of on and off usage with this laptop. The included charger uses the proprietary Surface connector located on the right side of the laptop, but you can also charge it with many USB-C chargers and docks. ## Summary Overall, the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 is a nicely designed and portable laptop, but at its MSRP price point, the processor speed and RAM are unimpressive. However, if you can get this laptop on sale, I think it would be fine for most college students for word processing and web browsing and even some developers who want a second machine that is easy to grab on the go.

Loving my new Surface Laptop Go 3 in Sage! The 12.4” touch screen is super clear, and the Intel Core i5 with 8GB RAM handles multitasking with ease. The 256GB SSD is fast and offers enough storage for my essentials. It’s lightweight, has great battery life, and looks fantastic. Perfect for everyday use—highly recommend!

I did a lot of research before buying this laptop and I couldn't be happier with it. It's small enough that transporting it isn't difficult or much added weight, it doesn't have a lot of frills, which is perfect for me. I use it for light work and simple home usage with ease and a battery that will last mostly all day without having to keep it on the charger. Response time is great and set up was simple. Also the purchase procedure was a breeze- I walked out with it the same day.

I've been watching this laptop for months now and I am so glad I finally made the purchase. It was easy to set-up, love the color, look, and feel of the laptop, and the battery life has been great for what I use it for. The only downside is that I wish it had more USB ports and a HDMI port but that probably just shows my age and how I'm use to hooking up external devices.

After doing an insane Amount of research on what laptop to get for my freshman year of college I decided on a Microsoft surface go laptop as it is a portable option and also touchscreen, This feature really sold me on the product. I’ve been testing out the laptop For the past three weeks now and it is super fast and it’s battery. Life is great.

I absolutely love my Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3! The 12.4" touch-screen is a game-changer, offering vibrant visuals and a responsive interface. Its compact design makes it perfect for my on-the-go lifestyle, and the powerful performance meets all my productivity needs. The battery life is impressive, lasting throughout my busy day. Overall, it's a stylish, reliable, and versatile laptop that I highly recommend to fellow users.

Super light and compact! I do most of my homework in bed and it’s the perfect size for me. Runs great and would 100% recommend to any college student as a first time buyer!

Perfect laptop for my daily’s use. It fix in my purse and doesn’t takes many space. I love how simple is to use. As mom who always in the run is so perfect. I recommend. Fast speed, battery last a lot comparing to my old one.

for the price and quality? It’s very much worth every penny. I was debating in getting a Mac book but after getting this, nothing is up for debate anymore. If you are going for a laptop that is small, lightweight but also efficient, this is a great laptop for your needs. Has a lot of storage/memory and is pretty quick. 9/10!!