Microsoft announces Surface Laptop Go 3 with last-gen Intel processor and increased starting price

Zac Bowden
·3 min read
Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3.
Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3.

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, where it's unveiled a number of new products and services. One of those products is the new Surface Laptop Go 3, which is a minor refresh over the Surface Laptop Go 2 with a more recent (but still outdated) processor and an increase in RAM options.

Microsoft Event 2023

Microsoft Surface line-up for 2023
Microsoft Surface line-up for 2023

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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 originally 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 biggest 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 includes a fingerprint reader for $799.

Surface Laptop Go 3 | From $799.99 at Microsoft

This compact and portable laptop promise 88% better performance than the original Surface Laptop Go and up to 15 hours of battery life. Its 12th Gen Intel processor is a bit older at this point, but it's still enough for everyday computing.View Deal

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 special AI capabilities on the Surface Laptop Go 3, including Voice Clarity functionality which uses AI to enhance your voice and microphone quality.