What you need to know
- Microsoft's new Surface Laptop Go 3 is official, but it runs on a last-gen processor.
- It features a 12th-Gen Intel Core i5 processor, which shipped in 2022.
- Additionally, Microsoft is increasing the starting price of Surface Laptop Go 3.
Microsoft hosted a special event in New York City today, unveiling several new products and services. One of those products is the new Surface Laptop Go 3, a minor refresh over the Surface Laptop Go 2 with a more recent (but still outdated) processor and increased RAM options.
The Surface Laptop Go 3 features a 12.4-inch screen and weighs under 2.5 lbs. Microsoft promises that the new PC is 88% faster than the original Surface Laptop Go and that the Surface Laptop Go 3 gets all-day battery life.
The starting price of the Surface Laptop Go 3 is $799 and is available on October 3. That's higher than the starting price of the Surface Laptop Go 2, but that's due to the entry-level model having higher specs than the most affordable version of the last generation.
On the inside, Surface Laptop Go 3 features a 12th-Gen Intel Core i5 processor, which initially shipped in 2022 and is very much a last-generation chip considering Intel 13th-Gen is currently on the market, and Intel 14th-Gen is right around the corner. That said, Surface Laptop Go has always shipped with a last-gen processor.
The most significant changes to Surface Laptop Go 3 compared to its predecessor are the RAM and storage options, which have doubled for the entry-level variant. Laptop Go 2's entry-level model shipped with 4GB RAM, 128GB storage, and no fingerprint reader for $599. With Surface Laptop Go 3, the entry-level model now has 8GB RAM, 256GB storage, and a fingerprint reader for $799.
| Category | Surface Laptop Go 3 |
|---|---|
| OS | Windows 11 Home |
| Processor | 12th-Gen Intel Core i5 |
| Graphics | Intel Iris Xe |
| RAM | 8GB, 16GB |
| Storage | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB |
| Display | 12.4-inch 1536x1024 touchscreen PixelSense IPS display |
| Ports | USB-C 3.2 |
| Row 7 - Cell 0 | USB-A 3.1 |
| Row 8 - Cell 0 | 3.5 mm headphone jack |
| Row 9 - Cell 0 | Surface Connect |
| Dimensions | 278.2mm x 206.2mm x 15.7mm (10.95” x 8.12” x 0.62”) |
This means the Surface Laptop Go 3's starting price increased, but for the extra cash, you do get better specs.
Microsoft is omitting the 4GB RAM model from its entire Surface portfolio, including the Surface Go 4, meaning the lowest amount of RAM you can get in a Surface device now is 8GB.
Microsoft is also touting unique AI capabilities on the Surface Laptop Go 3, including Voice Clarity functionality, which uses AI to enhance your voice and microphone quality.
