Microsoft has officially unveiled the highly-anticipated third-generation addition to its Surface Laptop Go series during the Surface event held today. Scheduled for release on October 3rd, this cutting-edge notebook boasts an impressive “up to 15 hours of battery life” and will be available at a starting price of just $799.
Surface Laptop Go 3: What Sets It Apart
The all-new Surface Laptop Go 3 is a distinct offering and should not be confused with the non-laptop Surface Go, a smaller and less powerful variant of the renowned Surface tablet line. Measuring 12.4 inches, the Surface Laptop Go 3 is the latest addition to Microsoft’s lightweight and budget-friendly notebook lineup, catering to users who prefer style over raw power.
Power and Performance Upgrades
In line with earlier leaks from WinFuture, Microsoft’s latest Laptop Go release bears a striking resemblance to its predecessor, the Surface Laptop Go 2. However, beneath the familiar exterior lies a host of exciting internal upgrades. While the previous models featured Intel’s 11th Gen chips, the Surface Laptop Go 3 now boasts the blazing-fast 12th Gen Intel Core i5 chips, delivering a remarkable “88 percent increase in speed.” Users can customize their Laptop Go 3 with up to 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, although the base configuration still offers a modest 8GB of RAM.
Familiar Features, Fresh Look
Apart from the notable performance enhancements, the new Surface Laptop Go 3 largely retains the features that endeared its predecessor to users. It sports the same 3:2 aspect ratio PixelSense touchscreen found on both the previous model and the original 2020 release. The display maintains its resolution at 1536 x 1024 pixels. The latest model offers a choice of four stylish colors: platinum, sage, sandstone, and ice blue, all within a lightweight chassis weighing less than 2.5 pounds.
Connectivity and Convenience
The port selection on the Surface Laptop Go 3 remains identical to the previous year, featuring one USB-A port, one USB-C port, a headphone jack on the left side, and the proprietary Surface Connect port on the right. Notably, this new iteration introduces a fingerprint scanner for added security. Additional features include support for Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.1, and removable SSD modules, allowing users to upgrade storage capacity to a generous 512GB. The device also boasts a 720p webcam with “studio mics” and comes equipped with Omnisonic speakers enhanced by Dolby Audio technology.
Potential Improvements and Battery Life
At first glance, Microsoft appears to have made minimal changes in these areas. However, the true test will come when we have the device in hand for a comprehensive review. Only then will we determine if the Surface Laptop Go 3 represents a worthwhile upgrade and if it truly lives up to the promise of “all-day battery life” as advertised. Stay tuned for our in-depth analysis.