Surface Laptop Go 3 vs Laptop Go 2: Which budget laptop is for you?

• More powerful pick

  

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  Surface Laptop Go 3

  Operating System

  Windows 11

  CPU

  12th-generation Intel Core i5-1235U (10 cores, 12 threads, 12MB cache)

  GPU

  Intel Iris Xe graphics (integrated)

  RAM

  8GB/16GB LPDDR5 (soldered)

  Storage

  256GB SSD (upgradeable)

  Battery

  41Wh

  The Surface Laptop Go 3 is a budget-oriented laptop that features a 12th-generation Intel Core processor and has enough power under the hood to deliver a solid experience at an agreeable price point. It does bring a price increase, however, when compared to its predecessor. 

  Pros & Cons

  • 12th-generation Intel Core CPU
  • Retains the Surface Laptop Go design
  • 8GB and 16GB RAM options available

  • More expensive starting price of $800

  $800 at Amazon

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• Affordable option

  

  Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2

  Operating System

  Windows 11

  CPU

  Quad Core 11th Gen Intel Core i5-1135G7 Processor

  GPU

  Intel Iris Xe

  RAM

  8GB LPDDR4x RAM

  Storage

  Removable drive (SSD): 256GB

  Battery

  Battery Capacity: 41.0 WH

  The Surface Laptop Go 2 is the 2022 edition of the Surface Go Laptop and features an 11th-generation Intel Core i5-1135G7 along with up to 8GB of RAM and up to 256GB of SSD storage space. 

  Pros & Cons

  • Affordable price starting at $500
  • Powerful enough for light productivity tasks
  • Ideal weight for taking on the go

  • Slower performance with older CPUs

  $1000 at Microsoft

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Are you on the lookout for a Windows laptop that won't break the bank? The Surface Go Laptop 2 has been a favorite choice of ours in the past, but Microsoft has now revealed the Surface Go Laptop 3 at their September Surface event. The Surface Go Laptop 3 adds some refreshed hardware to the lightweight laptop, but with the added performance boost comes added cost. We're putting them up side-by-side for you to see which one is a better fit for your needs.

Price, specs & availability

Microsoft's Surface Laptop Go 2 can be found at both major retailers online and in-store, such as Amazon and Best Buy. You can also buy the laptop directly from Microsoft starting at $500. The Surface Laptop Go 3 is currently available for preorder, and it releases on Oct. 2, 2023, starting at $800.

• 	Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2	Surface Laptop Go 3
  Operating System	Windows 11	Windows 11
  CPU	Quad Core 11th Gen Intel Core i5-1135G7 Processor	12th-generation Intel Core i5-1235U (10 cores, 12 threads, 12MB cache)
  GPU	Intel Iris Xe	Intel Iris Xe graphics (integrated)
  RAM	8GB LPDDR4x RAM	8GB/16GB LPDDR5 (soldered)
  Storage	Removable drive (SSD): 256GB	256GB SSD (upgradeable)
  Battery	Battery Capacity: 41.0 WH	41Wh
  Display (Size, Resolution)	Screen: 12.4" PixelSense Touch, Resolution: 1536 x 1024 (148 PPI), Aspect ratio: 3:2 Touch: 10 point multi-touch	12.4-inches, 1536x1024, 3:2 aspect ratio, 60Hz refresh rate, 1000:1 contrast ratio, 320 nits (typical), touch
  Network	Wi-Fi 6: 802.11ax compatible, Bluetooth Wireless 5.1 technology
  Weight	2.48 lbs	2.49 pounds (1.13kg)
  Audio	Dual far-field Studio Mics

Performance

The Surface Go Laptop 3 features an impressive jump in performance over the Surface Go Laptop 2 thanks to Intel's 12th generation Intel Core i5-1235U processor. This CPU features 10 cores and 12 threads of processing power at a maximum ranging clock speed of 4.40 GHz. The Laptop Go 2 comes with an older CPU, the 11th-generation Core i5-1135G7, which provides users with four cores and eight threads of processing power at a clock speed of 2.4 GHz.

You also get more RAM with Surface Laptop Go 3. While the Laptop Go 2 came with a maximum of 8GB of RAM, the Laptop Go 3 comes with up to 16GB of RAM, and the base model now comes with 8GB of RAM. It's enough of a step up for us to recommend the Laptop Go 3 to most people over the Laptop Go 2, but if you're comfortable with a maximum of 8GB of RAM, then the Laptop Go 2 is still a decent option at an affordable price.

Editor-in-Chief Rich Woods reviewed the Laptop Go 2 and found the 11th-generation CPU to hold its own in light productivity applications, and found there was just enough room for some light gaming and photo editing. While we haven't had a chance to try out the Surface Laptop Go 3 just yet, we expect to see about a 25% boost in productivity applications with the improved CPU in the Core i5-1235U.

Design and display

Microsoft still hasn't changed the Surface Laptop Go series design; if it's not broken, don't fix it. The Laptop Go 2 did introduce a new sage color, but the Laptop Go 3 doesn't introduce any new colors to the series. Regarding the display, nothing has changed; both laptops feature the same 12.4-inch touchscreen display (without pen support) with a 1536x1024 resolution.

Surface Laptop Go 3 vs Laptop Go 2: Which is right for you?

The Surface Laptop Go 3 and Laptop Go 2 are nearly the same laptop, but the Laptop Go 3 offers more performance and costs $300 more. Ultimately, the Surface Laptop Go 3 will be the best value buy for most people, and it's one of the best cheap laptops. If you are using your Surface Laptop Go for daily computing tasks as well as some light productivity applications, it's worth getting the Laptop Go 3 over the Laptop Go 2 for better RAM and CPU performance. This will make your life simpler when it comes to running multiple applications side by side.

As the display and body of the laptop remain the same, it's only worth getting the Laptop Go 2 if you are on a tight budget and don't plan on using multiple productivity applications. If you are looking for something for daily web browsing and tasks, the Laptop Go 2 is a good value at $500, but if you can afford the step-up to $800, the Laptop Go 3 could serve as your daily work computer. Even though its processor is a generation behind in 2023, and its RAM only upgrades to 8GB, it's still one of the best surface laptops for those on a tight budget.

As the display and body of the laptop remain the same, it's only worth getting the Laptop Go 2 if you are on a tight budget and don't plan on using multiple productivity applications. If you are looking for something for daily web browsing and tasks, the Laptop Go 2 is a good value at $500, but if you can afford the step-up to $800, the Laptop Go 3 could serve as your daily work computer.