Microsoft Surface Go 3: Entry-level model may cost US$399.99, but the only Core i3 configuration costs almost US$800 with a Type Cover and Surface Pen factored in

As much as Microsoft dresses it up, the Surface Go 3 is a re-run of the Surface Go 2. Microsoft launched the Surface Go series in 2018, which it updated last year with a bigger screen and an Intel Core m3-8100Y processor. The Surface Go 2 shares its chassis with the Surface Go, but Microsoft has made even fewer changes this year.

The Surface Go 3 retains almost all aspects of the Surface Go 2, including its 10.5-inch display. However, Microsoft has replaced the Pentium Gold 4425Y and Core m3-8100Y from last year's model with a Pentium Gold 6500Y and a Core i3-10100Y. The Pentium Gold 6500Y and Core m3-8100Y are practically identical processors though, as we have compared previously.

Effectively, Microsoft has shifted the Surface Go 2's top configuration to the entry-level configuration in the Surface Go 3. The Core i3-10100Y is a rather old processor too, but it should still offer approximately a 15% performance improvement over the Core m3-8100Y.

The Surface Go 3 also supports Windows 11, unlike the Surface Go 2. We should point out that this is a limitation imposed by Microsoft mind you; the Surface Go 2 can run Windows 11 as well as the entry-level Surface Go 3 will. Overall, the Surface Go 3 is one of the least exciting things that Microsoft announced yesterday, tied with the revised Surface Pro X.

The Surface Go 3 will begin shipping from October 5 in the US. The machine starts at US$399.99 with 4 GB of RAM, 64 GB of eMMC storage and a Pentium Gold 6500Y processor. Meanwhile, configuring the Surface Go 3 with 8 GB of RAM and a 128 GB SSD costs US$549.99, or US$629.99 for the Core i3-10100Y.

Microsoft continues to sell Type Covers and Surface Pens separately, which run to at least US$99.99 and US$67.99. Hence, the Surface Go 3 comes to almost US$800 (US$797.97) if you want a fully equipped model. Still, that is much cheaper than a comparable Surface Pro 8, which costs US$582.01 more if you also purchase a Type Cover and Slim Pen 2.

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