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The Surface Laptop Go has been Microsoft’s thinnest, lightest, and cheapest laptop since the first model launched in 2020 for $550 and up.
The new Surface Laptop Go 3 keeps the thin and light parts, but brings a significant performance boost thanks to a move to a 12th-gen Intel Core i5-1235U processor and at least 8GB of RAM. But it also brings a price hike: the new model starts at $800, putting it into direct competition with mid-range thin and light laptops from a number of PC makers.
Microsoft says the newest member of its Surface Laptop Go lineup keeps some of the features that made its predecessors stand out, including a 12.4 inch PixelSense touchscreen display with a 3:2 aspect ratio, a compact design that weighs less than 2.5 pounds and measures just 0.62 inches thick, and a Windows Hello-compatible Fingerprint reader built into the power button.
But in addition to the new processor, which Microsoft says is 88% faster than the Core i5-1035G1 chip used in the 2020 model, the new Surface Laptop Go 3 brings memory and storage upgrades. Sadly, the webcam hasn’t been updated – it’s still just as 720p camera.
The Surface Laptop Go 3 is available for pre-order now, and should be available beginning October 3, 2023.
Here’s how the Surface Laptop Go 3 stacks up against its predecessors:
| Surface Laptop Go 3 (2023) | Surface Laptop Go 2 (2022) | Surface Laptop Go (2020) | |
| Display | 12.4 inches 1536 x 1024 pixels 3:2 aspect ratio 148 ppi touchscreen | ||
| Processor | Intel Core i5-1235U 10 cores / 12 threads (2 P-cores / 8 E-cores) Up to 4.4 GHz 15W – 55W | Intel Core i5-1135G7 4 cores / 8 threads Up to 4.2 GHz 15W TDP | Intel Core i5-1035G1 4 cores / 8 threads Up to 3.6 GHz 15W TDP |
| Graphics | Intel Iris Xe 80 execution units 1.2 GHz max | Intel Iris Xe 80 execution units 1.3 GHz max | Intel UHD for 10th-gen 300 MHz base / 1.05 GHz max |
| RAM | LPDDR5 8GB or 16GB | LPDDR4x 4GB or 8GB | LPDDR4x 4GB or 8GB |
| Storage | SSD (removable) 256GB | SSD (removable) 128GB or 256GB | 64GB eMMC or 128GB or 256GB SSD |
| Ports | 1 x USB 3.2 Type-C 1 x USB 3.1 Type-A 1 x 3.5mm audio 1 x Surface Connect | 1 x USB Type-C 1 x USB Type-A 1 x 3.5mm audio 1 x Surface Connect | 1 x USB Type-C 1 x USB Type-A 1 x 3.5mm audio 1 x Surface Connect |
| Wireless | WiFi 6 Bluetooth 5.1 | ||
| Battery | 41 Wh Up to 15 hours | 41 Wh Up to 13.5 hours | Up to 13 hours |
| Charger | 39W power supply | ||
| Webcam | 720p Dual far-field Studio Mics | ||
| Speakers | Omnisonic Speakers with Dolby Audio Premium | ||
| Security | Fingerprint sensor (in power button) | ||
| Materials | Aluminum top & polycarbonate base | ||
| Colors | Sage, Ice Blue, Sandstone, and Platinum | Ice Blue, Sandstone, and Platinum | |
| Dimensions | 278.2 x 205.7 x 15.7mm 10.95″ x 8.1″ x 0.62″ | ||
| Weight | 2.49 pounds | 2.48 pounds | 2.45 pounds |
| Price | 8GB / 256GB for $800 16GB / 256GB for $1000 | 4GB / 128GB for $600 8GB / 128GB for $700 8GB / 256GB for $800 | 4GB / 64GB for $550 8GB / 128GB for $700 8GB / 256GB for $900 |
With a screen less than full HD resolution and last year’s 1235U CPU this machine is really competing at the low end with bargain basement chromebooks. It’s not uncommon to find similarly spec’d machines on sale for half the price.
$800 for 8 GB RAM, last year’s (albeit still capable) processor, 41 Wh battery, and 720p webcam in 2023? It’s as if Microsoft doesn’t want them to sell.
I was mildly interested until I saw the screen resolution. That’s just not cutting it for me.