Does the Surface Laptop 3 have a lock slot?

Why is a lock slot valuable?

Lock slots are valuable on laptops because they enable you to use various different types of locks to tether your device to a sturdy object, such as a table. Essentially, it lets you tie down your device like you would with a bike and a bike rack. This is a fantastic way to combat theft, especially if you need to get up and leave your device unattended for whatever reason.

Why you should still consider the Surface Laptop 3

While the lack of a lock slot on the Surface Laptop 3 is unfortunate, there are plenty of other reasons why you should consider getting the device. It's outfitted with either a 13.5-inch 2256x1504 display or a 15-inch 2496x1664 one for the smaller and larger versions of the laptop, respectively. The 13-inch variant has Intel's 10th Gen CPUs, Intel Iris graphics, and can be configured with up to 32GB of RAM and 1TB of storage. The 15-inch version has the same RAM and storage options but uses an AMD Ryzen 7 custom CPU and an AMD Vega 11. This CPU isn't quite as good as the 10th Gen ones, but the AMD GPUs are a step above Intel Iris.

In terms of physical design, the device is very easy to carry at just 2.79 pounds (13-inch) and 3.4 pounds (15-inch). It also comes with a Windows Hello camera, as well as a nice USB-C port that brings some extra convenience to the table.

What if you want (or need) a lock slot?

If you really want (or need) to have a lock slot on your laptop, we recommend opting for the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon instead of the Surface Laptop 3. It's more expensive because it can be configured with better displays than the Surface Laptop 3 can, can be fitted with LTE connectivity, and also has more ports (including, notably, dual Thunderbolt 3 slots). However, those improvements may be worth spending some extra money on, and the price difference isn't terribly large, either.

Overall, if you like the sound of the Surface Laptop 3 but aren't willing to sacrifice having a lock slot on your device, the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon is a fantastic alternative choice.