While Microsoft marketed the Surface Go as a 2-in-1 device, you were required to spend an additional £99.99 on the Type Cover (attachable keyboard) if you wanted to use the Surface Go 2 as a laptop.

The company also unveiled the new Ocean Plastic Mouse, a mouse built from 20% recycled ocean plastic that can be used with the Surface Go 3.

Microsoft did reveal that the Go 3 includes Surface Pen support for note taking and sketching on the go, and that the speakers support Dolby Audio. We didn’t expect the Surface Go 3 to see any major design changes and it seems the rumours were right, with many of the improvements taking place within the device. It isn’t clear whether the device is designed to be used in Windows S Mode as its predecessor was, but it would make sense considering S Mode focusses on security. Other family-friendly features include Kids Mode in Microsoft Edge and the Family Safety widget, which allows parents to view their kids’ screen time to decide whether its time to log off. Interestingly, Microsoft focussed a lot on features kids can access in the launch event, making it clear the company wants to market the Go 3 as a family device. There’s support for Windows Hello facial recognition sign in, arranging and rearranging apps with the new Snap feature, cloud gaming in Xbox Games Pass and Microsoft Teams built-in.

The tablet has also been given a major software boost with the introduction of Windows 11, which is set to roll out on October 5. The Go 3 was actually rumoured to be getting a 62% boost according to supposed benchmarks, so that leak seems to have checked out. The chip won’t be as powerful as Intel’s 11th Gen, but it’s certainly a step up from the 8th Gen in the Go 2. The 2-in-1 is powered by a 10th Gen Intel processor, offering 60% faster performance than the Surface Go 2. According to Microsoft, the Surface Go 3 is the “fastest, most capable Go yet”.

Microsoft surface pro go 3