Microsoft Surface Go 3 release date, leaks and price: what we want to see
Rumors concerning the Microsoft Surface Go 3 are beginning to emerge, although Surface Go 2 solely got here out in May 2020, and we’re nonetheless a methods away from its anticipated release date.
Perhaps the most important one is from a discussion board put up on Tablet PC Review, suggesting that the next-generation Surface Go could possibly be powered by new Ryzen chips, certainly one of which has a really low 4.8W TDP (thermal design energy).
If this rumor is to be believed, the Surface Go 3 could possibly be transitioning from the Intel processors that powered earlier fashions to AMD cellular chips. This might solely imply good issues for customers. Not solely will the machine have higher battery life, however it might doubtlessly be cheaper as properly, providing budget-friendly configurations of one of many finest Windows tablets to economizing customers.
This is all hypothesis at this level, however we nonetheless can’t assist however be excited to see what else Microsoft has deliberate for its most reasonably priced pill. So, we thought this pretty much as good of a time as any to collect every little thing we learn about – and every little thing we want from – the Microsoft Surface Go 3.
Be positive to preserve this web page bookmarked, as we’ll replace it with any new particulars that attain our desks.
Cut to the chase
- What is it? The next-generation Surface Go
- When is it out? TBC
- What will it value? Probably beginning round $399 (£379, AU$599)
Surface Go 3 release date
The Surface Go 2 was unveiled on May 6, 2020 and made obtainable for buy on May 12, 2020, so we don’t count on Microsoft to share particular particulars about its successor – not to mention roll it out – so quickly after. But, will we see the Surface Go 3 in 2021?
Unfortunately, that’s not going both. The authentic Surface Go was, in any case, introduced on July 10, 2018 and launched on August 2 of the identical 12 months. And, its follow-up didn’t hit the streets till two years later.
If Microsoft had been to do the identical for the Surface Go 3, we received’t see it till 2022, someday within the late spring or mid-summer. Still, Microsoft did release the Surface Laptop Go, full of laptop-class {hardware} – although that is a little more costly.
Surface Go 3 worth
The Surface Go line has at all times felt like Microsoft’s try at securing the funds market and giving Apple’s iPad and iPad mini a great run for his or her cash.
It positively succeeded there, touting the unique Surface Go at $399 (£379, AU$599) for its lowest configuration and $549 (£509, AU$839) maxed-out. The Surface Go 2 is simply as reasonably priced, beginning at $399 (£379, AU$599), though it does go up to $729.99 (£719, AU$1,199) for its highest configuration.
It’s extremely doubtless that the Surface Go 3 will comply with swimsuit, beginning at $399/£379/AU$599, solely with extra highly effective specs. However, if Microsoft does swap to AMD chips, which have a tendency to be extra reasonably priced than Intel’s, this succeeding machine might doubtlessly be extra reasonably priced.
It may also work in Microsoft’s favor if it’s in some way in a position to bundle the machine with a Type Cover or Surface Pen, although it hasn’t performed that in years, so we wouldn’t put a lot inventory in that taking place.
What we want to see in a Surface Go 3
The Surface Go 2 was unveiled on May 6, 2020 and made obtainable for buy on May 12, 2020, so we don’t count on Microsoft to share particular particulars about its successor – not to mention roll it out – so quickly after. But, will we see the Surface Go 3 in 2021?
Unfortunately, that’s not going both. The authentic Surface Go was, in any case, introduced on July 10, 2018 and launched on August 2 of the identical 12 months. And, its follow-up didn’t hit the streets till two years later.
If Microsoft had been to do the identical for the Surface Go 3, we received’t see it till 2022, someday within the late spring or mid-summer. Still, Microsoft did release the Surface Laptop Go, full of laptop-class {hardware} – although that is a little more costly.
Surface Go 3 worth
The Surface Go line has at all times felt like Microsoft’s try at securing the funds market and giving Apple’s iPad and iPad mini a great run for his or her cash.
It positively succeeded there, touting the unique Surface Go at $399 (£379, AU$599) for its lowest configuration and $549 (£509, AU$839) maxed-out. The Surface Go 2 is simply as reasonably priced, beginning at $399 (£379, AU$599), though it does go up to $729.99 (£719, AU$1,199) for its highest configuration.
It’s extremely doubtless that the Surface Go 3 will comply with swimsuit, beginning at $399/£379/AU$599, solely with extra highly effective specs. However, if Microsoft does swap to AMD chips, which have a tendency to be extra reasonably priced than Intel’s, this succeeding machine might doubtlessly be extra reasonably priced.
It may also work in Microsoft’s favor if it’s in some way in a position to bundle the machine with a Type Cover or Surface Pen, although it hasn’t performed that in years, so we wouldn’t put a lot inventory in that taking place.
What we want to see in a Surface Go 3
The Surface Go 2 is already a fairly spectacular Windows 10 pill, rocking a premium design and first rate specs for much less. It’s actually an amazing worth for customers who don’t want to spend shut to a thousand {dollars} for a pill.
However, as may be anticipated in cheaper units, it additionally comes with its share of shortcomings. The base mannequin is underpowered. Considering that there are fairly a couple of Android tablets out that will provide you with what you want for lots much less, and you’re the lacking Type Cover and Surface Pen, which you could have to buy individually, it’s not as compelling a purchase order for its target market as its rivals.
So, for the Surface Go 3 to be actually value it, Microsoft would wish to make a couple of changes. Luckily, the corporate has a few years to work on crucial enhancements. In the meantime, let’s speak about what we’re hoping to see within the Surface Go 3.
More energy in its base mannequin
Those hoping to solely use the Surface Go 3 as a pill, both for after-work leisure or make amends for present occasions and with family members on social media may be glad with the road’s entry-level configuration. To the remainder – college students, for instance – the bottom mannequin will really feel it underpowered, particularly subsequent to its cheaper Android rivals.
The greater configurations are extra highly effective, actually. But, you’re then paying extra, which beats the aim of getting an inexpensive pill.
If Microsoft needs to persuade extra funds patrons to improve to the next-generation Surface Go, it wants to give its base mannequin a bit extra juice.
Cheaper configurations
Something we hope may occur with Microsoft opting to use AMD chips, changing the Intel chips within the Surface Go’s earlier fashions, is for the worth to drop – if not for its base mannequin, then for its greater configurations. That will make it extra according to its Android rivals in worth.
Of course, the aforementioned lower-powered AMD chips may not even present up within the Surface Go 3. If it does, nevertheless, it’d show a fair higher worth to its target market.
Higher decision cameras
Both generations of the Surface Go characteristic the identical 5MP front-facing and 8MP rear cameras, however let’s face it, these resolutions are hardly sufficient nowadays. The Surface Duo has an 11MP digital camera whereas the Surface Pro X has a 10MP rear-facing one.
So, we count on Microsoft to improve the Surface Go 3 to have greater decision cameras, particularly if it comes out in two years.
Type Cover and/or stylus pen included
One of the most important gripes concerning the Surface Go line is that they don’t include a Type Cover or a stylus pen. For these trying to use it as a pill, that’s actually not an issue. And, to be truthful, its greatest competitor, the iPad, doesn’t both.
Still, Microsoft is touting this as its “smallest, lightest 2-in-1 laptop” – and what is a laptop computer with out its keyboard and trackpad. Microsoft can’t hope to proceed touting the Surface Go as one with out that Type Cover, particularly not to college students who’d slightly not spend an additional $100+ for it.
Slimmer bezels
Microsoft did shrink the bezel on the Surface Go 2 so it has a fair larger show with out growing the pill’s measurement. However, the Surface Pro X has confirmed that even slimmer bezels are attainable, so it could be good to see the Surface Go 3 to comply with swimsuit, giving its customers an even bigger display space for a similar machine footprint.