Quick Overview
- The Surface Go 2 and Surface 3 share a similar design aesthetic, with both featuring a sleek magnesium body and a kickstand that allows for various usage modes.
- The Surface Go 2 has a rated battery life of up to 10 hours, while the Surface 3 has a rated battery life of up to 9 hours.
- The Surface Go 2 has a 5MP front-facing camera and an 8MP rear-facing camera, while the Surface 3 has a 3.
The Microsoft Surface Go 2 and Surface 3 are two popular budget-friendly laptops that offer a great balance of portability and performance. But which one is the better choice for you? In this comprehensive comparison, we’ll put the Surface Go 2 and Surface 3 head-to-head to help you make an informed decision.
Design and Build Quality
The Surface Go 2 and Surface 3 share a similar design aesthetic, with both featuring a sleek magnesium body and a kickstand that allows for various usage modes. However, the Surface Go 2 has a slightly larger display and a more refined look. It also offers a Type-C port, which is absent on the Surface 3.
Display
The Surface Go 2 boasts a 10.5-inch PixelSense display with a resolution of 1920 x 1280 pixels. The Surface 3, on the other hand, has a smaller 10-inch display with a resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels. While both displays are clear and vibrant, the Surface Go 2’s higher resolution provides a sharper and more immersive viewing experience.
Performance
The Surface Go 2 is powered by the Intel Pentium Gold 4425Y processor, while the Surface 3 uses the Intel Atom x7-Z8700 processor. The Surface Go 2 offers significantly better performance, especially in multitasking and demanding applications. It also comes with 8GB of RAM as standard, compared to the 4GB of RAM on the Surface 3.
Battery Life
The Surface Go 2 has a rated battery life of up to 10 hours, while the Surface 3 has a rated battery life of up to 9 hours. In real-world usage, both devices can last for a full day of light use, but the Surface Go 2 tends to have a slight edge in terms of battery endurance.
Portability
The Surface Go 2 and Surface 3 are both incredibly portable, weighing in at just 1.2 pounds and 1.4 pounds, respectively. They are both easy to carry around and fit comfortably in a backpack or bag.
Connectivity
The Surface Go 2 offers a wider range of connectivity options than the Surface 3. It includes a Type-C port, a USB 3.0 port, a microSD card slot, and a headphone jack. The Surface 3 only has a micro-USB port, a microSD card slot, and a headphone jack.
Price
The Surface Go 2 starts at $399, while the Surface 3 starts at $299. However, the Surface Go 2 offers significantly better performance and a more advanced feature set, making it worth the extra investment for most users.
Which One is Right for You?
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly laptop that offers good performance, a great display, and excellent portability, the Surface Go 2 is the better choice. However, if you’re on a tight budget and don’t need the extra performance or features, the Surface 3 is still a solid option.
The Verdict
The Microsoft Surface Go 2 is the clear winner in this comparison. It offers better performance, a sharper display, and more connectivity options than the Surface 3. While it’s slightly more expensive, it’s worth the extra investment for the improved experience.
Questions You May Have
1. Which device has a better camera?
The Surface Go 2 has a 5MP front-facing camera and an 8MP rear-facing camera, while the Surface 3 has a 3.5MP front-facing camera and a 5MP rear-facing camera.
2. Can I use a stylus with either device?
Yes, both the Surface Go 2 and Surface 3 support the Surface Pen.
3. Which device is better for students?
The Surface Go 2 is a better choice for students as it offers better performance and a more versatile feature set.