Microsoft Surface Go 10.5" 8VH-00001 2022, Core i3-10100Y, 8GB, 128GB, Cellular, Platinum

The Microsoft Surface Go 3 is a featherweight Windows 2-in-1 with excellent battery life and built-in LTE, making it a great travel companion for light tasks. But the dual-core Core i3 processor and small screen mean it's not cut out for heavy multitasking or demanding apps. Buy it as a secondary device, not your main PC.

Let's be real about the Core i3-10100Y. It's a dual-core chip designed for fanless tablets, and it shows. Our database puts it in the 14th percentile for CPU performance, which means it's slower than the vast majority of laptops we've tested. The Intel UHD Graphics 615 is similarly underwhelming at the 13th percentile. You can browse the web, stream video, and take notes without much trouble, but anything heavier will make you wait.

The 8GB of RAM is about average for this category, and the 128GB SSD is fine for a secondary device. The 10.5-inch 1920x1280 IPS display is sharp enough and gets bright enough for indoor use, though it's not going to win any color accuracy awards. Battery life is where this thing surprises us. The 28Wh cell lands in the 95th percentile for battery performance in our database, which speaks more to how efficient this low-power setup is than anything else. You'll get a full day of light use, maybe more.

Against the iPad Pro M5, the Surface Go 3 loses on performance, display quality, and app ecosystem. The M5 chip is in a completely different league. But the Go 3 wins on Windows compatibility and LTE availability at a lower price. If you need to run desktop apps like full Office or legacy Windows software, the iPad just can't do that.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 is a closer competitor. It has a better screen and faster processor, plus the S Pen is included. But again, it's Android, not Windows. The Lenovo Yoga Tab Plus and Xiaomi Pad are both cheaper and offer solid tablet experiences, but neither has the Surface's build quality or LTE option. The VekfulPC T60 Pro is a budget 2-in-1 that undercuts the Go 3 on price, but our data shows it's not in the same league for battery life or connectivity.

At $560 USD, the Surface Go 3 is a tough sell if you're looking for raw performance. You can get a much faster traditional laptop for the same money. But if you specifically want a Windows tablet with LTE, the options are thin. The iPad Pro M5 and Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 both outperform it easily, but they run different operating systems and cost more. The Lenovo Yoga Tab Plus and Xiaomi Pad are cheaper Android alternatives, but they don't run full Windows. For the right person, the Go 3's portability and connectivity justify the price. For everyone else, it's a lot of money for a secondary device.

The Surface Go 3 sits in that weird middle ground between a tablet and a laptop, and honestly, that's exactly where some people need it. At around $560 USD, it's Microsoft's smallest and lightest 2-in-1, aimed at folks who want Windows in a package they can toss in a bag without thinking twice. The 10.5-inch display, 553g weight, and built-in LTE make it a travel companion first, a workhorse never.

Is the Surface Go 3 good for students? Sort of. It handles note-taking, web browsing, and light Office work fine, especially with the stylus support and detachable keyboard connector. But the dual-core Core i3-10100Y and 8GB of RAM mean you're not running Photoshop or a dozen Chrome tabs without feeling some pain. Windows 11 in S mode also locks you to the Microsoft Store unless you switch out of it, which is annoying but fixable.

What you're really paying for here is portability and connectivity. The LTE option is rare in this price range, and the 28Wh battery punches way above its weight class in our database. Just know that the keyboard is sold separately, so budget another $100 or so if you want the full laptop experience.

Skip the Surface Go 3 if you need a primary computer or plan to run demanding software. Video editors, programmers, and heavy multitaskers will hit the dual-core ceiling fast. If you want a tablet for media consumption and don't need Windows, the iPad Pro M5 or Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 offer better screens and performance. And if you're on a tight budget, the Lenovo Yoga Tab Plus or Xiaomi Pad deliver solid tablet experiences for less money. This is a niche device for people who specifically need Windows in a tiny, LTE-equipped package.

Should you buy the Surface Go 3? If you're looking for a lightweight Windows tablet with LTE for travel, field work, or note-taking, yes. It's one of the best options in its niche. The battery life is outstanding, the build quality is solid, and the portability is unmatched in the Windows world.

But if you need a primary computer, look elsewhere. The dual-core processor will frustrate you within a week. Buy this as a companion device, not a replacement for your main laptop. And factor in the cost of the keyboard and pen, because without them, you're only getting half the experience.