Microsoft Surface Book 3 15 review: Likable but not lovable
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Introduction:
Microsoft’s Surface lineup has always been an innovative and ambitious attempt at creating a new niche in the crowded laptop and tablet markets. The latest iteration, the Microsoft Surface Book 3 15, follows in the footsteps of its predecessors, offering impressive performance and versatility. However, despite its likable features, it falls short of being an all-around lovable device. In this review, we’ll explore the reasons behind this sentiment and evaluate whether or not it’s worth your consideration.
Design and Display:
The design of the Surface Book 3 15 remains largely unchanged from previous generations, maintaining its signature detachable screen design that allows users to use it as a standalone tablet. The magnesium casing exudes a feeling of durability and quality while still being lightweight. The 15-inch PixelSense display is brilliant, featuring a resolution of 3240×2160 pixels along with sharp colors and excellent contrast.
Performance:
When it comes to performance, the Surface Book 3 is undoubtedly powerful. Equipped with Intel’s latest 10th Gen CPUs and NVIDIA GTX graphics card options, it can handle a variety of tasks with ease. Be it processor-intensive tasks like video editing or graphic-heavy gaming sessions, the Surface Book 3 performs admirably.
Battery Life:
With an advertised battery life of “up to” 17 hours on paper, expectations for the Surface Book 3 are high in this category. However, real-world usage reveals that while the device boasts solid battery life, it may fall somewhat short of that generous estimate. Over mixed usage including web browsing, video streaming, and productivity tasks, users can expect around 9-12 hours of battery life.
Connectivity:
Despite taking pride in its slim form factor, connectivity remains a potential downside to the Surface Book 3. With only two USB Type-A ports, one USB Type-C port, and an SD card reader, those in need of multiple connections may find it limiting.
Price:
The Microsoft Surface Book 3 15 starts at $2,299 for the base model with an i7 processor, 16GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD. As the specifications increase, so does the price, reaching up to a staggering $3,399 for the top-tier model.
Conclusion:
The Microsoft Surface Book 3 15 is a likable device that offers impressive performance levels along with a versatile design. However, its price tag and limited connectivity prevent it from being the one-stop solution many would have hoped for. While it may be useful for specific niche users such as creative professionals or those who need a powerful yet detachable tablet hybrid, others may find more value in alternatives from competitors. In summary, while it’s easy to appreciate the Surface Book’s charm and innovation, the overall package falls short of reaching the status of a truly lovable device.