Verdict
The Surface Go 3 has n’t change all that much since the previous model , with a splash of new Windows 11 operating arrangement goodness and a processor ascent being the cardinal differentiator . Unfortunately , that ’s not quite unspoiled enough when up against stiff contention like Apple ’s iPad . It ’s a tough sell , given below - equality shelling life and fair specs .
Pros
Cons
Key Features
Introduction
The Surface Go 3 is the latest version of Microsoft ’s little lozenge . It ’s a super - compact intercrossed political machine , owing to a Type Cover , that must be bribe separately . The sizing cook it appealing as a run - of - the - mill tablet , with keyboard jazz band making it a functional , if modest , laptop computer - like gimmick .
The Surface Go reach has always been an intriguing proposal , providing a short ton of portability alongside the ability to get some worked done . That is , if you do n’t beware things being a piffling cramped . This latest model cover the trend , with some belittled updates .
Standing still may have put the Surface Go 3 further behind though . It has strong contender in the form ofApple ’s iPadand theLenovo Chromebook Duet . Microsoft ’s latest budget pad of paper looks like it will struggle to complete , despite the addition ofWindows 11and a more powerful CPU making it a more or less improved experience compared to theSurface Go 2 . If you do want extra top executive , theSurface Pro 9is now uncommitted too .
Design
The Surface Go 3 has the exact same design as its precursor . Even if you whip your swayer out and commence meticulously measuring every edge , you ’ll realize the dimension are unchanged at just 8.3 mm thick .
I personally do n’t recall this is an take , as the newfangled twist both reckon and feel capital , with a metal build and a Corning Gorilla Glass 3 screen boast a far higher quality than say the cheap Amazon Fire tablets .
The built - in stand is one of my pet aspects of the Surface Go range , tolerate you to prop it up on a board without the need for a separate appurtenance . The stand feels study too , so should easy stand firm the excrescence of a railroad train journeying .
It ’s unfortunate that Microsoft does n’t bundle the Type Cover with the Go , which cost a whopping £ 99 – or an even more dearly-won £ 124.99 if you need an Ice Blue , Platinum or Poppy Red variation . It ’s a similar story with Apple ’s iPad , but the Lenovo Chromebook Duet is worth check out if you require everything bundled together at nonremittal .
The Surface Go Type Cover feel o.k. . It magnetically snip off to the tablet ’s underside , as well as the bottom bezel to create a well-off pitch . But the keys are rather shallow , and the keyboard ’s deck is perceptibly tenuous , causing the Type Cover to bounce up and down as you forge at the key .
It ’s fine for the the likes of of World Wide Web browse , write emails or even completing short bursts of preparation , but those who need to write lots and lots of copy will in all likelihood want a proper keyboard alternatively .
There ’s also a 1080p webcam above the screen , which captures surprisingly decent TV , at least for the likes of Microsoft Teams and Zoom . It even substantiate Windows Hello for facial recognition logins . A behind - facing 1080p camera can also be found around the back of the machine , although it ’s nowhere near the standard of flagship smartphone sensors , so I do n’t recommend using it for your holiday snaps .
Display
I ’ve got no complaints about the 10.5 - inch screen . The 1920 x 1280 resolution is plenty sharp enough for a tablet this sizing , and it presents video with quite a little of brightness level and colour .
I relish watching Netflix and the like on this tablet , proving to be a good machine for portable observation . I was peculiarly impressed to see how vivid the color search when watching animated cartoon such as SpongeBob SquarePants , making it idealistic for nipper .
I used a tintometer to test the performance of the screen , and the results backed up my first impressions . The 375 - nit human body is easily bright enough for manipulation outdoors , while the 1368:1 recorded line is better than most laptop computer or pad screenland at this price , resulting in a pleasant video experience .
Colour truth is high enough for watching video and create digital art , although you ’ll need a slap-up range of colours here for professional work – the Surface Go simply is n’t designed for such function cases .
But while I ’m quietly proud of with the Surface Go 3 ’s display , it ’s also worth knowing you could get better elsewhere . Apple ’s entry - degree iPad is not only cheaper but boasts a 10.2 - inch covert with a 2160×1620 resolution and up to 500 nits of brightness . And the Surface Go 3 cover is no improvement on that of the £ 279.99 Lenovo Duet Chromebook either .
Performance
execution is the only area Microsoft has significantly improved the Surface Go 3 compared to its harbinger . You now get the selection of two chips : the dual - core Intel Pentium 6500Y ( from £ 369 ) or the dual - core Intel Core i3 - 10100Y ( from £ 569 ) . Neither option are powerful enough to compete with a high - end laptop , but they ’re adequate for a tablet .
Microsoft station me a unit with an i3 - 10100Y chip , which is the most powerful you’re able to currently get . The Surface Go 3 ran perfectly well with this flake , hop from web varlet to connection page without much delay . But do n’t expect this tablet to ability through taxing applications , as it ’s designed for basic 24-hour interval - to - day project and little else .
The bench mark results show a sizable performance parachuting compared to the Surface Go 2 , although that ’s admittedly an unfair comparison since I ’m using the outcome of the entry - level control surface Go 2 configuration . In Geekbench 5 , the iPad ( 10th Generation ) greatly outpace the Surface Go 3 with its 3190 multi - core grade thanks to the power of the Bionic A14 splintering – it ’s yet another orbit where Apple beat Microsoft .
Microsoft sadly has n’t improved the storage electrical capacity , with just 64 GB eMMC and 128 GB SSD options available . That really is n’t much storage space at all , so you ’ll belike need to make a lot of use of cloud services in decree to salt away all of your text file , photos and videos .
The Surface Go 3 comes withWindows 11preinstalled , and the new operating system makes for a far right tab experience than Windows 10 . The centralized taskbar and a nidus on icons and thingummy ( as opposed to claustrophobic menus ) have all been designed with a touch screen in creative thinker . And the improved Windows 11 app store is also a handsome boon for those who desire to utilise the Surface Go 3 like a traditional tablet .
That all said , I still think Windows 11 retardation behind the like of iPadOS and ChromeOS for touchscreen exercise . The iPad simply offers a far more flowing and exploiter - friendly experience , with no special fiddling required to get every home covert and app optimised for prods and swipes . The Surface Go 3 is arguably more visceral when used with a keyboard and mouse , but you ’re better off buying a Chromebook or mid - range Windows laptop computer if that ’s going to be your principal method of exercise .
It ’s also worth pointing out that Windows 11 is available for free on any Windows laptop or tablet gimmick , as long as it meets the system of rules requirements . This means you could install Windows 11 on a Surface Go 2 , so you ’re not getting any benefits in damage of software package by pass extra on the Surface Go 3 .
Battery life
The upgrade to a new processor has really derive at a price for Surface Go 3 , as benchmark results suggest it actually has uncollectible toughness than the Surface Go 2 .
After turn the brightness down to 150 nits and running the PCMark 10 office assault and battery benchmark , the Surface Go 3 last just 7 time of day and 30 minutes before shutting down . For comparison , the Surface Go 2 go 9 hours and 13 minutes in the same test .
That ’s a major issue , as the Surface Go 2 already had an median battery life compared to the competition . The iPad ( 9th Generation ) last around 10 minute during examination , while the Lenovo Chromebook Duet was capable of a far more impressive 13 - 60 minutes figure .
The Surface Go 3 ’s poor battery life also means that you may be upright off sticking with the elderly Surface Go 2 instead , especially since it has been brush aside this year and will in all probability feature in theBlack Fridaysales .
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Should you buy it?
- : Windows 11 is a decent tone up on Windows 10 for tablet , with more mite - friendly icons realize it far easy to navigate . However , it ’s worth pointing out that Windows 11 is uncommitted as an upgrade for the Surface Go 2 too .
The bighearted emergence with the Surface Go 3 is that it does n’t offer up an advantage over the iPad , despite Apple ’s tablet seeing a lower cost . Lenovo ’s Chromebook Duet also represents superior value by bundling in the detachable keyboard .
Final Thoughts
It ’s hard not to be let down by the Surface Go 3 . The only real improvement here compared to the Surface Go 2 is a rapid processor , but that ’s also been offset by the poor barrage fire sprightliness .
This is still a just lozenge , with a large design and adorable screenland , but Apple ’s iPad offers ranking tone at a flash price , while the Lenovo Chromebook Duet represents far in effect value since it bundles in the keyboard attachment free of charge .
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We test every tablet we review exhaustively . We practice industry stock tests to equate features in good order and we use the tablet as our independent equipment over the review period . We ’ll always state you what we find and we never , ever , take over money to review a product .
FAQs
Yes , you ’ll be able to use a wireless mouse since it features Bluetooth . pumped-up computer mouse are a little more tricksy , as there ’s no USB - A port wine , but you could plug an adaptor into the USB - C port instead .
Yes , but only the latest USB - 100 standard . It does feature the old rectangle - shaped USB - A association .
No , you ’ll need to make up supererogatory for the keyboard accouterment , which has a starting price of £ 99.99 .
Test Data
Full Specs
