Microsoft Surface Go 3: A Premium Tablet With a Pricey Price Tag
The Microsoft Surface Go 3 is pitched as Microsoft’s most affordable tablet, aiming to tackle basic computing tasks. While the market boasts a plethora of convertible Windows laptops, detachable 2-in-1s are still a rare breed, often coming with a hefty price tag. This makes the Surface Go 3 a compelling proposition, especially with its price point lower than the Surface Pro line. Add its ultra-portable nature to the mix, and it seems like a compelling choice for those seeking a hybrid computer that can effortlessly switch between work and entertainment. But does the Surface Go 3 deliver on its promise, or is it just another overpriced tablet? Let’s delve into the details.
A Slim and Portable Design
The Surface Go 3, thanks to its detachable 2-in-1 design, excels as a tablet compared to many convertible Windows laptops with 360-degree hinges. Its slim 8.3mm thickness and lightweight 544g frame make it incredibly portable, easily fitting in one hand. The matte gray finish resists fingerprints, and the metal body feels robust and well-constructed.
On the right side in portrait mode, you’ll find the power and volume buttons, while the bottom houses the headphone jack, USB Type-C port, and a proprietary Surface Connect port. The latter serves for fast charging and connecting accessories, though the Surface Go 3 can also be charged via the Type-C port.
The Microsoft Surface Go 3 also features a built-in kickstand that offers a wide range of usage angles, making it perfect for different scenarios. Hidden behind this stand is a microSD card slot, cleverly concealed, with no marking to indicate its presence.
Its 10.5-inch full-HD (1920×1280) touchscreen boasts a 3:2 aspect ratio and Corning Gorilla Glass 3, offering excellent brightness and vibrant, punchy colours. The bezels surrounding the display are thick enough to provide ample space for resting your thumbs while holding the tablet. It also houses a 5-megapixel webcam, an infrared camera for Windows Hello face recognition, and an 8-megapixel rear-facing camera.
Adding to the tablet experience, the Surface Go 3 features cutouts on either side of the display’s bezel for the front-facing stereo speakers.
Stepping into the Tech Specs and Software
The Surface Go 3 boasts multiple variants, though only one configuration was readily available online at the time of this review. This variant, the one provided by Microsoft, houses a 10th Gen Intel Pentium Gold 6500Y CPU, 8GB of LPDDR3 RAM, and a 128GB SSD. It is officially priced at Rs. 57,999, although online deals can offer better prices.
Other configurations can be found under a separate Surface for Business section on Microsoft’s site, featuring a 64GB eMMC storage and 4GB RAM base variant, and a top-end variant with an Intel Core i3-10100Y CPU. These Surface for Business variants also offer optional LTE connectivity and come equipped with Windows 11 Pro. However, these variants are typically purchased from listed resellers and are not readily available on regular e-commerce platforms.
Considering user needs, Microsoft has opted for the right configuration for consumer use. The lower variants with eMMC storage and 4GB RAM are hardly ideal for the Windows experience. The Core i3 CPU in the top-end variant doesn’t offer a significant advantage over the Pentium Gold, merely higher clock speeds for the CPU cores and a slightly better integrated GPU. All variants of the Surface Go 3 come equipped with Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.
The Surface Go 3 ships with Windows 11 in S mode, which strictly limits app downloads to the Microsoft Store and restricts browser use to Microsoft Edge, enhancing security and management. However, users can easily switch to standard mode, granting access to practically any Windows application, but without the option to revert back.
While preinstalled third-party apps are minimal, a refreshing change, a full version of at least Office Home and Student would have been a welcome addition, as many OEM partners offer this with their laptops. Instead, users are provided with a trial version of Microsoft 365 Family.
Essential Accessories: The Keyboard and Pen
It’s important to consider the accessories that are likely to be bought alongside the Surface Go 3, as they significantly enhance the user experience. Microsoft offers a standard Type Cover (Rs. 10,950) keyboard and a Signature Type Cover (Rs. 15,699), crafted with Alcantara fabric.
The Surface Pen, priced at Rs. 9,099 in India, is another valuable accessory, magnetically attaching to the tablet’s top and requiring a single AAAA battery. While both of these accessories enhance functionality, they add considerably to the overall cost of the device.
Performance and Battery Life: A Mixed Bag
The Surface Go 3 proves itself capable of fulfilling its intended purpose after several weeks of testing for both work and leisure. While no definitive conclusions can be drawn about the base variant, the 128GB SSD and 8GB RAM configuration proves adequate for basic computing tasks like writing, attending video calls, responding to emails, and even light Photoshop work.
Windows 11 runs smoothly, although some lag is inevitable, particularly noticeable when waking the Surface Go 3 from sleep or navigating the Windows UI. Heavy applications like Photoshop take longer to load than usual, but once running, they function well.
Without the keyboard, the Surface Go 3 performs as a decent tablet. However, navigating Windows without a stylus is a cumbersome experience, made worse by the lack of tablet-friendly apps in the Windows Store. Nevertheless, the built-in kickstand shines when it comes to content consumption, allowing users to easily set the tablet at any angle for comfortable viewing.
The Surface Pen proves useful for taking notes or drawing, though it’s not as essential for those who aren’t regular stylus users. A key tablet feature missing on Windows is the ability to turn off the display without putting the entire device to sleep, limiting use cases like listening to music.
The Surface Go 3 transforms into a capable productivity machine once the keyboard is attached. However, the keyboard’s flexibility and the kickstand’s sharp edge create discomfort when used on the lap, making it more suitable for use on a stable surface. Despite this, the keyboard keys are incredibly comfortable for typing, even with backlighting. The glass trackpad also performs admirably.
Casual games operate well, but anything demanding heavy 3D graphics struggles. Fortnite, for example, was barely playable even after lowering graphics quality and resolution. Asphalt 9: Legends experienced occasional stutter as well. The stereo speakers deliver loud, clear audio, and the 1080p webcam is of high quality, producing clear video even in dimly lit settings. The rear camera boasts autofocus and is sufficient for occasional photos or document scanning.
Microsoft claims that the Surface Go 3 can deliver up to 11 hours of runtime on a single charge, which proved to be overly optimistic in practice. Real-world use yielded around four and a half to five hours of non-stop use, stretching to around seven hours with breaks. For a 10.5-inch tablet running Windows, it’s not terrible, but far from ideal.
Continuous use with the keyboard attached resulted in lower battery life. Light workloads, frugal use, and a conservative battery profile might allow users to get through a full workday on a single charge, but it would be a tight fit.
In the Battery Eater Pro test, the tablet, without the keyboard, ran for a respectable 2 hours and 40 minutes. The bundled adapter enables fast charging the Surface Go 3 to about 80 percent in an hour, a decent result. The charger also includes a USB Type-A port, providing additional charging capabilities.
Verdict: A Solid Tablet, But a Pricey One
The Microsoft Surface Go 3, while positioning itself as the company’s most affordable 2-in-1 Windows tablet, carries a hefty price tag of Rs. 57,999. The argument is often raised that a standard laptop with significantly better specifications can be acquired at this price point. While true, this doesn’t account for the comfortable tablet experience offered by the Surface Go 3.
The tested variant displayed adequate performance, coupled with a bright display, good speakers, a high-quality webcam, and robust build quality. However, battery life falls short, and the cost of essential accessories adds significantly to the overall expense.
With the addition of a stylus and keyboard, the Surface Go 3 price nears Rs. 80,000, making the Lenovo Yoga Duet 7i a potentially more attractive option. The Yoga Duet 7i boasts superior specs, positioning it as a more serious Surface Pro competitor, and even includes the keyboard and stylus in its price.
The Microsoft Surface Go 3 emerges as a capable tablet with potential as a 2-in-1. However, its average battery life and the hefty overall cost of the package will likely deter many potential buyers.
