Surface Go 3 is a processor bump for Microsoft’s smallest tablet
- Thread starter JournalBot
- Start date
FYI, Intel's low-powered "M3" family has been replaced by their new 9 watt "UP4" chips that are supposed to offer more performance for the same price.
Surface Go 3's upgraded configuration should have offered "Core i3-1120G4" chip instead, the 11th Gen Tiger-Lake-UP4 processor with 4C/8T configured down to 7 watts cTDP. Charging the same price as the last generation for an outdated processor is a mistake.
EDIT: clarified a bit.
Surface Go 3's upgraded configuration should have offered "Core i3-1120G4" chip instead, the 11th Gen Tiger-Lake-UP4 processor with 4C/8T configured down to 7 watts cTDP. Charging the same price as the last generation for an outdated processor is a mistake.
EDIT: clarified a bit.
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IMHO shipping any config with 4GB of RAM in 2021 is the bigger mistake.
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I am disappointed. I was wanting to get this device but now I am unsure what I am going to purchase.
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Every single review I have read and watched on this device misses the point. Why? First thing they do is switch it out of Windows 10 in S Mode. I have the Go 2, mid-range model (Pentium Gold, 8GB RAM, 128 GB SSD). It's absolutely brilliant for what it is. As a tablet/premium netbook, it's great for browsing the web, watching YouTube and Netflix, taking handwritten notes in OneNote, writing and editing documents in Word and Excel, and marking up PDFs. I can open dozens of tabs in Edge, but reviewers complain about doing the same thing in Chrome. Of course it will, everyone knows that Chrome is the pudgiest browser. Use Edge if you are on constrained hardware.
Reviews that complain that it's not capable of editing videos, Lightroom, and Photoshop completely miss the point. The Pentium models are just fine.
Reviews that complain that it's not capable of editing videos, Lightroom, and Photoshop completely miss the point. The Pentium models are just fine.
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I wonder how the performance of this updated device compares to an entry-level iPad and the iPad mini.
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I would've been more intrigued with a Surface Go 3 variant using the Surface Pro X processor. Yes, the old SQ1.
Not fast, but better fitting for the form factor, and would've been able to target lower pricing segments than the Pro X can.
Not fast, but better fitting for the form factor, and would've been able to target lower pricing segments than the Pro X can.
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I completely agree. I actually returned the M3 model because it throttled too easily and I was able to pick up the Pentium Gold, 8GB RAM, 128 GB SSD model from Craigslist (local buy and sell for anyone outside the US, since I don't know if Craigslist is international) with the typecover and pen for $300. It's a fantastic device.
I also had a first gen Go with 8 GB ram, 126GB SSD, and it's also great for the uses you mention. In fact, in one way, it's even better - the first gen's display was very easy to overclock to 90Hz and more, which made scrolling through and editing documents lovely. The second-gen's display generally can't be pushed as far.
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where's AMD when you need them...
and no ARM version still? I love my surface go 1 specifically because of its size, but that battery life situation is all I need fixed, and intel isnt fixing that
and no ARM version still? I love my surface go 1 specifically because of its size, but that battery life situation is all I need fixed, and intel isnt fixing that
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I got the original Go with the Costco special version, which was the entry level processor and memory, but with 128 GB SSD and keyboard cover for $550. It's quite nice for web browsing and watching videos. No performance complaints, even with 4 GB of RAM.
I've installed my whole Visual Studio and SSMS development environment on it. It's not fast, but it works, and it was never going to be comfortable to do on a tiny screen and cramped keyboard. It's more of a travel just-in-case situation.
Battery life is my only real complaint about the thing, but that's a Windows problem more than anything. Yes, I clearly have to take it out of S mode to get all the other applications, but that was the whole purpose of getting an x86 Windows device to begin with. Otherwise, stick to Android/iPad.
I feel like the use case for these are pretty niche, but it and the hardware hasn't changed much in the last 3 years.
I've installed my whole Visual Studio and SSMS development environment on it. It's not fast, but it works, and it was never going to be comfortable to do on a tiny screen and cramped keyboard. It's more of a travel just-in-case situation.
Battery life is my only real complaint about the thing, but that's a Windows problem more than anything. Yes, I clearly have to take it out of S mode to get all the other applications, but that was the whole purpose of getting an x86 Windows device to begin with. Otherwise, stick to Android/iPad.
I feel like the use case for these are pretty niche, but it and the hardware hasn't changed much in the last 3 years.
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Seems like a good replacement for my original Surface 3. A little pricey though if you don't want the (stupid) 64 GB base model, especially once you realize the keyboard is not included. Then you're looking at $650, or $720 with the i3. I'm not sure that's competitive.
Anyone know if the keyboard from the old Surface 3 is compatible?
Anyone know if the keyboard from the old Surface 3 is compatible?
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I'm a bit skeptical because Edge IS Chrome. It can't be that different?
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Only the rendering engine is the same. In my experience with both Chrome and Edge on my Surface Go 2, Edge is way faster and uses less memory.
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Those entry level tablets must really be going to single use/kiosk roles like a handheld checkout device. If you only need to run one application that works with data in a central system those specs make a lot of sense. As a general purpose computing device the entry specs are pretty weak and borderline inadequate
I'm not sure there's a good answer to segmenting the product differently but I wouldn't be surprised if it's expected most consumers won't go for that model
I'm not sure there's a good answer to segmenting the product differently but I wouldn't be surprised if it's expected most consumers won't go for that model
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Unfortunately AMD's low-powered "Dragon Crest" APUs have been delayed until late next year due to supply issues. Otherwise the Ryzen 3 would have been perfect for a small tablet form-factor, being more power efficient than Intel's m3 and i3 chips, and also cheaper.
https://www.notebookcheck.net/AMD-noteb ... 351.0.html
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captain numerica
Ars Scholae Palatinae
Define 'bare basics'. I acquired a gen1 hand-me-down with 4gb and it's surprisingly capable. I don't treat it like a desktop, not compiling native code on it and things like that. But it does just fine with modern browsers and office suites and even writing/compiling managed code. My biggest grip is the screen size.
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THIS. I have the original Go and it is great for all of this. It is a great extremely portable media consumption device that can perform moderate productivity tasks decently well in a pinch. Anything more I pull out (or remote into) my real laptop. The only reason I want to upgrade it is for a "bigger" (ie smaller bezels) screen and better battery life. I really don't understand what more people want from it.
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I didn't do an experimental comparison but Edge skips a LOT of Google services and stuff.
How much this amounts to i can't tell.
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I have the same model. My only additional complaint is the Windows Hello unlock feature is super slow and doesn't work most of the time which makes taking a quick note in OneNote (my primary use) more of a chore than it should be. I was thinking about upgrading to the Surface Go 3 if I can confirm that the Windows Hello feature has become useable since the first gen device.
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The trick is that you get a bundle from Costco with the Type Cover included for either the same price as the Surface by itself or only a little more. I saved a lot when I got a Surface Pro 7 bundle from there that had the Pen and Type Cover included.
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That's not a very useful trick when you have to also buy a membership to get it.
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Well, it seems like you have to make your own laptop/tablet ARM SOCs these days, Qualcomm can't be bothered to do an update in less than 2 years.
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Chemical Tribe
Ars Legatus Legionis
Well, 4GB of RAM works, but I regularly start going to the SSD for swap after having 10 tabs open in Firefox and my laptop gets rather slow.
It's 2021, and 4GB of RAM in any computer should be a hard never, esp when you consider you can't upgrade, and the costs of RAM in the first place.
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I have a Surface Go 2 base version that I got as a work-related test device. 4GB ram, EMMC, etc. I love the form factor and the kick stand. Theoretically, it's a great media consumption device that can also get some light office work down. I accept the device for what it is and don't expect it to run Photoshop.
However, the battery life is terrible. I get maybe 3 - 3.5 hours of life before it needs a charge. Not sure if that is due to the "meh" hardware, Windows 10 being a bit of a power hog, or both.
However, the battery life is terrible. I get maybe 3 - 3.5 hours of life before it needs a charge. Not sure if that is due to the "meh" hardware, Windows 10 being a bit of a power hog, or both.
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Yeah, but if you spend $500/month on "qualified purchases" the $120/year membership is free. That Surface Go 3 bundle gets you ~10% of the way there all by itself.
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I loved my Surface 3 back in the day, but when they didn't release a new non-Pro I wandered away into the waiting arms of Apple. Every time they release a new Go I'm always tempted to return even though there's really no reason for me to...
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Not really, Buy Costco gift cards and you can shop there without getting the membership. Technically, although it is a little shady but they will let you do it, you could get a membership, buy the Go, and then get a full refund of the membership telling them you just don't think it is for you.
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I still miss my Surface Go 1, really perfect size and weight, and the integrated kickstand I still sorely miss on the iPad I bought to replace it when the WiFi card started crapping out. Covers you flip around just don’t work quite as nicely. I’m surprised no one (aside from Apple because they never will) has seriously copied the solid integrated kickstand.
It’s tough to see them still charging the same amount for such little RAM and storage on the base device though. It may meet Windows 11 specs but I wouldn’t feel comfortable purchasing it today if I was in the market, and by the time you go up in specs you’re getting close to the cost of a laptop or one of the other, more capable, Surface models.
It’s tough to see them still charging the same amount for such little RAM and storage on the base device though. It may meet Windows 11 specs but I wouldn’t feel comfortable purchasing it today if I was in the market, and by the time you go up in specs you’re getting close to the cost of a laptop or one of the other, more capable, Surface models.
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Eh, I wouldn't say it is a hard never. It depends on the primary usuage model (not everyone needs to run 10 tabs all the time), budget, etc I would say 4GB is a bare minimum for a Windows machine except in some limited circumstances where you might get by with 2GB.
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Personally, I went with getting a really good deal on a lightly used top-tier gen1 w/ type cover (a few years back) from eBay. One the better purchases I've ever made.
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Surface Go keyboard is compatible with Surface Go 2 and 3. I don't believe Surface 3 is compatible. The Go 1 keyboard is considerably cheaper than the Go 2 keyboard.
I would recommend a Brydge Go+ though. Like all their products, it feels 100% like a first party accessory, and it makes the Go more like a laptop than the Microsoft keyboard does. Yet it's almost as easy to remove, if you want to use your device like a tablet.
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The i3-10100Y isn't a quad-core and its likely to be a minimal upgrade over the lower-tier Pentium Gold 6500Y since they're more or less identical save for the i3-10100Y is able to clock higher. In the tablet's thermally constrained environment they will likely sit around the same sustained clock and not be worth whatever ~$100 up-charge Microsoft slaps on for the "i3" chip.
Sad b/c I was excited for a quad-core option in such a thin/cheap/x86 tablet!
Sad b/c I was excited for a quad-core option in such a thin/cheap/x86 tablet!
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No it's not. It's based on Chromium, but it's more accurate to say it's based on Blink and V8. In other words, it uses the same HTML rendering and JavaScript engine as Chrome, but it has dramatically different UI code.
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It works great on my 2, even in the dark. I can't compare it to a 1 though, so I can't say for sure it's an improvement.
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Three versions of this in, and it is always the same. I love the idea, and the concept. I even bought the upgraded one the first year.
But as a tablet, where a device like this spends 80-85% of its time for me, the specs are way too little for way too much.
The $400 is a fine unit. Right up until you realize that the $329 IPad 9 exists. Both have similar memory and storage, but the surface is barely above the minimum of resources available to actually do anything, and it is got a worse battery life.
Step up to the upgraded version, and then the IPad Air spanks it. Go top shelf, and you are into 11inch IPad Pro territory with a processor and package which will steal this Surface's lunch money every day of the week.
Yes the full OS is a point in the Surface's favor. Please Microsoft, give me 128GB normal storage and 8gb of ram. for $450
But as a tablet, where a device like this spends 80-85% of its time for me, the specs are way too little for way too much.
The $400 is a fine unit. Right up until you realize that the $329 IPad 9 exists. Both have similar memory and storage, but the surface is barely above the minimum of resources available to actually do anything, and it is got a worse battery life.
Step up to the upgraded version, and then the IPad Air spanks it. Go top shelf, and you are into 11inch IPad Pro territory with a processor and package which will steal this Surface's lunch money every day of the week.
Yes the full OS is a point in the Surface's favor. Please Microsoft, give me 128GB normal storage and 8gb of ram. for $450
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Yep, don't understand people who complain about Costco's membership fee when they let you return it for a 100% refund for any reason whatsoever, even all the way up to day 365 of your 365-day-long membership. Complaining for the sake of complaining.
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There are quite a few things you can do with an S Mode device that you can't do with an iPad. For example, you can still use most Windows drivers, meaning that you can print to any printer, not just special printers that support Apple's "AirPrint", or use a huge bevy of USB devices including game pads, webcams, audio interfaces/sound cards, musical instruments, what-have-you-not. At least a decade's worth of oddball USB accessory support.
You can extend your desktop to up to two displays (iPad only lets you mirror, or have side content in certain "supported" apps). Or a single 4K 60Hz display. You can dock your Go to a USB-C dock, and get Ethernet, two displays, and USB out that way. Plug in an external keyboard and mouse and now you have a full desktop computer. I use my Go this way to remote into my desktop using RDP across three screens (internal, plus 2 1080p displays).
You can also mount SMB network shares so you can seamlessly store files on your NAS as if it was a normal drive letter, and have all apps able to access those drives, instead of relying on the limited on board storage.
You can play full desktop games from Xbox Game Pass (there are a number of 2D and indie games that work just fine), and use your choice of keyboard/mouse, or Xbox Controller, or any third party gamepad/joystick that you want.
Kind of a niche use, but I used my Go the other day to burn a CD using a USB DVD burner and an app I found on the Microsoft Store. Or you could use Windows 10's built in CD/DVD burning functionality, which includes support for ISO files.
All of this stuff, still in S Mode.
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