Microsoft Surface Book 3: The Ultimate Laptop for Creators and Professionals

The Microsoft Surface Book 3 is a powerful and versatile laptop designed to cater to the needs of creators, professionals, and anyone who requires a high-performance device. As the latest iteration in the Surface Book series, this laptop promises improved performance, longer battery life, and enhanced features that make it an attractive option for those seeking a premium computing experience.

Design and Display

The Surface Book 3 retains its predecessor’s sleek and sturdy design, with a solid aluminum body and a robust hinge that allows for effortless detachment of the display. The device is available in two sizes: 13.5 inches (Surface Book 3) and 15 inches (Surface Book 3 with NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti graphics). Both versions feature a PixelSense touchscreen display with a resolution of 3000 x 2000 pixels, providing vibrant colors and crisp visuals.

The display’s brightness is sufficient for indoor use, but it may struggle in extremely bright environments. For added protection, the screen features Gorilla Glass 5. The laptop also boasts a 3:2 aspect ratio, making it ideal for creators who need to view documents and web pages without excessive scrolling.

Performance

The Surface Book 3 is powered by Intel’s latest Core i5 or Core i7 processors, depending on your configuration choice. The base model features a Core i5-1035G4 processor with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of SSD storage, while the high-end configuration boasts a Core i7-1060NG7 processor with 32GB of RAM and 1TB of SSD storage.

The laptop also offers a range of graphics options, including Intel Iris Xe Graphics and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti. The latter provides exceptional performance for demanding applications like video editing, 3D modeling, and gaming.

Battery Life

One of the key upgrades in the Surface Book 3 is its improved battery life. According to Microsoft, users can expect up to 15 hours of web browsing or 13 hours of video playback on a single charge. In our testing, we achieved around 12-14 hours of mixed usage, which is still quite respectable.

Connectivity and Ports

The Surface Book 3 features a generous selection of ports, including two USB-A ports, one USB-C port with support for Power Delivery and DisplayPort, an SD card reader, and a headphone jack. The device also supports Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) and Bluetooth 5.0 for seamless connectivity.

Keyboard and Touchpad

The Surface Book 3 boasts a backlit keyboard with a comfortable typing experience and adequate key travel. The touchpad is spacious and responsive, supporting multi-touch gestures and Windows Precision drivers.

Camera and Audio

The Surface Book 3 features an improved front-facing camera with 5-megapixel resolution and 1080p video recording capabilities. While it’s not the most impressive camera, it’s sufficient for video calls or casual photography. On the rear, you’ll find a single 8-megapixel camera that captures decent photos in good lighting conditions.

For audio enthusiasts, the Surface Book 3 features dual speakers with Dolby Atmos support, providing an immersive listening experience.

Conclusion

The Microsoft Surface Book 3 is a powerhouse laptop designed to cater to the needs of creators and professionals. Its impressive performance, robust display, and enhanced features make it an attractive option for those seeking a premium computing experience.

While it may not be the best choice for casual users or budget-conscious buyers, the Surface Book 3 is definitely worth considering for those who need a high-performance device that can handle demanding applications and tasks.

Technical Specifications:

  • Processor: Intel Core i5-1035G4 or Core i7-1060NG7
  • RAM: 8GB, 16GB, or 32GB
  • Storage: 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB SSD
  • Display: 13.5-inch (Surface Book 3) or 15-inch (Surface Book 3 with NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti), PixelSense touchscreen, 3000 x 2000 pixels
  • Battery Life: Up to 15 hours web browsing or 13 hours video playback
  • Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0, USB-A, USB-C (with Power Delivery and DisplayPort support)
  • Camera: Front-facing 5-megapixel camera with 1080p video recording, Rear-facing 8-megapixel camera

Comparison to Competitors

The Surface Book 3 faces stiff competition from other high-end laptops like the Dell XPS 15, Apple MacBook Pro 16, and HP ZBook 15. While each of these devices has its unique strengths and weaknesses, the Surface Book 3 stands out for its impressive performance, robust display, and enhanced features.

  • Dell XPS 15: Offers a larger display and more ports, but with slightly less powerful performance.
  • Apple MacBook Pro 16: Provides exceptional performance and a stunning Retina display, but at a premium price point.
  • HP ZBook 15: Offers a range of configuration options and impressive performance, but with a bulkier design.

Ultimately, the Surface Book 3 is an excellent choice for those seeking a high-performance laptop that can handle demanding applications and tasks.