Microsoft Surface Pro 8 vs. Go 3: Which should you buy?

Best overall

Surface Pro 8

Surface Pro X

Best budget

Surface Go iii

Surface Go 2

The Surface Pro eight will be the amend choice for most people overall, equally its stronger specs, bombardment life, and port selection make it ideal if you want a top-notch user feel. With that said, the Surface Go three is much more affordable and is also more capable than its predecessors, making it an excellent alternative.

From $1,100 at Microsoft

Pros

Improve CPUs and graphics
More RAM and storage
Longer battery life
Better ports

Cons

Much more than expensive
No microSDXC reader

The Surface Go 3 is an incredibly affordable alternative to the Surface Pro viii that packs a solid amount of ability into a small, compact package. The Surface Pro 8 will still exist the better selection if y'all don't heed paying premium for excellent specs, a longer-lasting battery, and better ports, though.

From $400 at Microsoft

Pros

Much less expensive
Has a microSDXC reader

Cons

Worse CPU and graphics
Less RAM and storage
Shorter bombardment life
Worse ports

We ultimately feel that due to its impressive specs, battery life, and port choice, the Surface Pro 8 will be the ameliorate option overall for most people in this matchup. Don't overlook the Surface Become three if y'all need something less expensive, though, every bit the third iteration of Microsoft'south 10-inch mini PC is the mightiest one nonetheless.

Surface Pro 8 vs. Go three: Power or affordability?

Surface Go 2 Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Primal

The chief difference between the Surface Pro 8 and the Surface Go iii is the power of their specs. The Surface Pro eight is the winner in this regard by far, as its 11th Gen Intel processors and integrated graphics are much ameliorate than the Surface Become 3'southward budget-friendly hardware. The Surface Pro eight also comes with significantly more options for RAM and SSD storage capacity. Additionally, the Surface Pro eight too comes with cutting edge Thunderbolt 4 ports and a bombardment that lasts v hours longer, making it the more flexible device overall.

	Surface Pro viii	Surface Go 3
CPU	Intel i3-1115G4 Intel i5-1135G7 Intel i5-1145G7 Intel i7-1185G7	Intel Pentium Gold 6500Y Intel i3-10100Y
GPU	Intel Iris Graphics Intel Xe Graphics	Intel UHD Graphics 615
Memory	8GB 16GB 32GB	4GB 8GB
Storage	128GB SSD 256GB SSD 512GB SSD 1TB SSD	64GB eMMC 128GB SSD 256GB SSD
Display	13-inch 2880x1920 (267 PPI) PixelSense Catamenia touch display	10.5-inch 1920x1280 (220 PPI) PixelSense brandish
Audio	Dual speakers with Dolby Atmos	Dual speakers with Dolby Audio Premium
Biometrics	Windows Hello-compatible photographic camera	Windows Hullo-uniform camera
Ports	2x Thunderbolt 4 1x Surface Connect 1x 3.5mm headphone/mic combo	1x USB-C 1x Surface Connect microSDXC carte du jour reader 1x three.5mm headphone jack
Connectivity	Wi-Fi 6 Bluetooth 5.0 LTE (optional)	Wi-Fi six Bluetooth 5.0 LTE (optional)
Battery	Up to sixteen hours	Upwards to 11 hours
Dimensions	eleven.three x 8.two 10 0.37 inches	9.65 x 6.nine ten 0.33 inches
Weight	1.96 pounds	ane.ii pounds
Price	Starts at $1,100	Starts at $400

The Surface Become 3 has a few advantages of its ain, however. Information technology's much less expensive than the Surface Pro 8 is, which makes it an excellent alternative for people on a budget. The Surface Go 3 is besides significantly more capable than previous Surface Go devices, which means that its performance is expected to be quite expert even though the Surface Pro 8'southward will be much better. The Surface Go 3 also comes with a microSDXC card reader that you can use to add additional storage.

Surface Pro eight vs. Go 3: Which should you purchase?

Surface Pro 8 Hero Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Fundamental

Both the Surface Pro viii and the Surface Become iii look fantastic, and we expect both of them to end upwards existence some of the best Microsoft Surface PCs available. With that said, we feel that the Surface Pro 8 will be improve for almost people since it has significantly better performance, battery life, and ports for peripherals or accessories. It may be more than expensive, but it's as well more versatile — especially since the new Surface Pro Blazon Cover includes a slot for the Surface Slim Pen two for charging and storage.

The Surface Go 3 isn't a device to scoff at, however, especially since it features snazzy new Intel CPU options that significantly outperform previous Surface Go processors. They may be weaker than the Surface Pro viii'south 11th Gen offerings, but they're still pretty expert for full general computing. And when y'all consider that the Surface Go three simply costs nigh a 3rd of what the Surface Pro viii does, it's articulate to meet why it's an first-class budget alternative.

For other slap-up options, check out our roundup of the best two-in-ane laptops and best Windows laptops.

Best overall

Surface Pro X

Surface Pro eight

Truly premium

The Surface Pro 8 volition be the better choice for most people overall, as its stronger specs, battery life, and port selection make information technology ideal if you lot want a meridian-notch user experience. With that said, the Surface Get three is much more than affordable and is also more capable than its predecessors, making it an fantabulous alternative.

Best budget

Surface Go 2

Surface Go three

The trivial guy

The Surface Go 3 is an incredibly affordable alternative to the Surface Pro 8 that packs a solid corporeality of power into a pocket-sized, compact parcel. The Surface Pro viii will still be the ameliorate choice if you don't mind paying premium for excellent specs, a longer-lasting battery, and better ports, though.

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Buyer'south guide

Protect your Surface Pro with one of these great cases

Y'all have a Surface Pro in your hands and you desire to protect information technology. This roundup of cases compatible with Pro 4, Pro (2017), Pro six, Pro 7, and Pro 7 Plus covers rugged and stylish options and so that y'all notice something you lot like.