I like being unique with my reviews. I try to stay away from the industry standard of listing specifications, and then explain how a device is good and maybe not so good. Each device we buy is bought with a purpose, it’s something we want to perform a task for us. Some need, purpose, or want brings us to the device we end up with. Sometimes marketing comes into play, the device our friends recommend, the one we see in most advertisements, or does that one thing well that we are looking for. The Surface Laptop Go 3 falls in between all of that. Let’s talk about it.
Specifications and Purpose
The Lineup of Surface Devices has grown over the past few years. The Surface Laptop Go 3 is considered at the bottom of the food chain in the clamshell devices for Microsoft. Marketed as a device that is always ready for work or play, I understand where Microsoft is trying to place the device. The Surface Laptop Go 3 is thin and light coming in at just 2.49 pounds and with a 12.4-inch screen, it fits in any bag not even weighing enough to know it’s there. The 3:2 aspect ratio is welcomed on the smaller screen to help enhance productivity. The resolution of 1536 x 1024 is acceptable on a device of this size, we’ll talk about that more in just a moment.
Connectivity is going to be pretty basic on this one, one of each, meaning one full-service USB-C 3.2 port with data, charge, and display out, one USB A 3.1 port with a headphone jack, and the Surface Connect port. You do get Bluetooth 5.1 and Wi-Fi 6 connectivity. You’ll have to do with just a 720P webcam through Dual far-field Studio Mics. For such a portable device that could be used in many on-the-go locations, it would have been nice for Microsoft to include a 1080P webcam here. To not further clash with the rest of the Surface lineup you’re limited to the 12th Gen Intel Core I5-1235U processor here with just a choice of 8GB or 16GB of RAM. Storage maxes out at 256GB.
As you can see here Microsoft’s goal with this device is to be a super portable, on-the-go productivity device. Below is the full specifications sheet for those interested and we’ll talk about how the day-to-day experience of the device stacks up.
| Processor | 12th Gen Intel Core i5-1235U Processor |
| Graphics | Intel Iris Xe Graphics |
| Memory and storage | Top: Anodized aluminum base: Aluminum and polycarbonate composite resin system with glass fiber and 30% post-consumer recycled content Colors: Ice Blue, Sage, Sandstone, Platinum |
| Display | Touchscreen: 12.4” PixelSense™ DisplayResolution: 1536 x 1024 (148 PPI) Aspect ratio: 3:2 Contrast ratio: 1000:1 Color profile: sRGB and Enhanced Individually color-calibrated display touch: 10-point multi-touchCorning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Battery life | Up to 15 hours of typical device usage |
| Size and weight | Length: 10.95” Width: 8.12” Height: 0.62” Weight: 2.49 lbs |
| Security | Firmware TPM 2.0 Windows Hello sign-in with Fingerprint Power Button |
| Video/Cameras | 720p HD front-facing camera |
| Audio | USB-C3.2 (data, DisplayPort, and charging)USB-A 3.13.5 mm headphone jackSurface Connect port |
| Mics | Dual far-field Studio Mics with Voice Clarity |
| Connections | USB-C 3.2 (data, DisplayPort, and charging)USB-A 3.13.5 mm headphone jackSurface Connect port |
| Network and connectivity | Wi-Fi 6: 802.11ax compatible Bluetooth Wireless 5.1 technology |
| Software | Length: 10.95” Width: 8.12” Height: 0.62” Weight: 2.49 lbs |
| Accessibility | Compatible with Surface Adaptive KitCompatible with Microsoft Adaptive AccessoriesIncludes Windows Accessibility Features – Learn More Accessibility Features | Microsoft AccessibilityDiscover more Microsoft Accessible Devices & Products – Accessible Devices & Products for PC & Gaming | Assistive Tech Accessories – Microsoft Store |
| Serviceability | Replaceable components and self-repair information |
| Exterior | Top: Anodized aluminum base: Aluminum and polycarbonate composite resin system with glass fiber and 30% post-consumer recycled content Colors: Ice Blue, Sage, Sandstone, Platinum |
| Sensors | Ambient light sensor |
| What’s in the box | Surface Laptop Go 3 39W Power Supply Quick Start Guide Safety Warranty documents |
| Warranty | 1-year limited hardware warranty |
| Keyboard layout | Activation: Moving keys Layout: English, full row of function keys (F1 – F12) Windows key and dedicated buttons for media controls, screen brightness |
| Battery capacities | Battery Capacity Nominal (WH) 41 Battery Capacity Min (WH) 40 |
The Experience
Using a Surface device is a bit different than using other laptops. While specifications can be similar, with Surface, you’re using a device built by the same company that makes the operating system, so there’s a close match in compatibility and hopefully fewer bugs. A polish in build quality is also expected and delivered here with the anodized aluminum chassis. The cool touch finish right out of the box leads you to just how light this device truly is. The nice thing here though, it is well-balanced and steady on the lap, one of the most comfortable I’ve used. When you open the device, the PixelSense display is bright, and the test is easy to read given the 12.4-inch screen size. I would like to see a little bit more resolution here, more in line with the Surface Laptop lineup.
The Surface Laptop Go 3 is designed to get basic productivity tasks done, schoolwork, on-the-go, on the couch tasks. One thing you won’t be able to do is work in the dark. You’ll notice the Windows Hello fingerprint reader lights up nicely so you can see it for logging in, but that’s it. I had to research to find out that there’s not a backlight on this keyboard. That’s a big miss for Microsoft, I think. The other strange thing to me is the Surface Connect port. Now that we have full-service USB-C ports I’m not sure what purpose it serves Charging speeds are a bit slower than USB-C chargers. It certainly limits external connectivity to just Microsoft docks and devices that support the Surface Connect port as well.
In basic everyday tasks, email, browsing, and Microsoft Teams meetings I was impressed, for such a small machine it does hold its own enough to get you through most workdays. Microsoft says 15 hours of battery life, in my daily workflow which consists of email, and news postings, with some OneNote and Teams on the side I could squeeze out 8 hours if I was smart with the screen brightness.
Wrapping it Up
The Microsoft Surface lineup is packed full of well-built, versatile, and attractive devices. The Surface Laptop Go 3 is no exception. As I mentioned at the beginning of this review, I try to evaluate the use case of the device and less about a spec sheet or comparison. The Surface Laptop Go 3 does exactly what Microsoft set out for it to do. It’s a lightweight, on-the-go device that handles basic productivity and educational settings very well. It doesn’t skimp on the input devices which do make it more comfortable to use. At the $799 price point, there are laptops with better specs, but sometimes you give up some build quality and creature comforts. Now if we can just get Microsoft to add a full backlight to the keyboard, the Surface Laptop Go 3 would have all the creature comforts most others in its weight class have.
