Microsoft Surface Go 4 vs Surface Go 3: A Detailed Comparison

Microsoft has recently launched the Surface Go 4. At first glance, the design of the new device appears to be similar to its predecessor, but the issues faced by the earlier model, such as poor performance and battery life, seem to have been addressed. It is important to note that the Surface Go 4 is specifically targeted towards businesses, and is marketed as the Surface Go 4 for Business. To see what’s changed between the two, we have come up with this detailed Microsoft Surface Go 4 vs Surface Go 3 comparison for you. 

We will compare the Surface Go 4 and Surface Go 3 based on their specifications, pricing, designs, and more. By the end of this article, you will have a better understanding of the key differences between the two, and be able to decide if upgrading to the Surface Go 4 is worth it.

Microsoft Surface Go 4 vs Surface Go 3: Comparison Overview

Specification	Surface Go 3	Surface Go 4
Display	10.5-inch PixelSense Display 1920 x 1280 (220 PPI), 3:2 aspect ratio	10.5-inch PixelSense Display 1920 x 1280 (220 PPI), 3:2 aspect ratio
Display Protection	Corning Gorilla Glass 3	Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Processor	Dual-core Intel Pentium Gold 6500Y / Dual-core 10th Gen Intel Core i3-10100Y	Four-core Intel N200 chip
Graphics	Intel UHD Graphics 615	Intel UHD Graphics
RAM	4GB or 8GB LPDDR3	8GB LPDDR5
Connectivity	USB-C port, 3.5 mm headphone jack, Surface Connect port, Surface Type Cover Port, MicroSDXC Card Reader, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0	USB-C 3.1 port, 3.5 mm headphone jack, Surface Connect port, Surface Type Cover Port, MicroSDXC Card Reader, Wi-Fi 6 802.11ax, Bluetooth 5.1
Weight	544 g	521 g
Dimensions	245 mm x 175 mm x 8.3 mm	245 mm x 175 mm x 8.3 mm
Storage	eMMC drive: 64 GB, SSD drive: 128 GB	UFS drive: 64GB, 128GB, 256GB
Battery Life	Up to 11 hours	Up to 12.5 hours
Pricing (Base Model)	$399.99	$579

Design & Display

If you were hoping for a major redesign on the Go 4, you may be disappointed as it looks very similar to its predecessor. It has the same silver magnesium body with thick bezels that surround the 10.5-inch display. While thinner bezels would have been preferable, since it is primarily a tablet, the bezels provide some space to hold the device. On the top edge, there is a volume rocker and a power button. The bottom has connecting pins for the optional Type Cover keyboard.

Both the Surface Go 3 and 4 come with a built-in kickstand that provides a 165-degree range of motion, enabling the tablets to be used in laptop mode with the Type Cover keyboard or propped up for a hands-free experience. The tablets sport a sleek Microsoft logo on the back and share the same camera configuration; a 5MP selfie camera and an 8MP rear camera.

However, the Go 4 has a significant upgrade in terms of repairability. The display, battery, kickstand, and motherboard are now replaceable, making it a more serviceable and practical laptop. This upgrade is in line with its new focus on business use. 

Both the Surface Go 3 and Surface Go 4 share nearly identical dimensions at 245 mm x 175 mm x 8.3 mm. However, there is a slight difference in weight between the two devices as the Surface Go 3 weighs 544 grams while the Surface Go 4 is a bit lighter as it weighs 521 grams. 

Both the Surface Go 3 and Surface Go 4 share identical display specifications. They feature a 10.5-inch PixelSense Display with a resolution of 1920 x 1280 pixels. The 3:2 aspect ratio is particularly well-suited for productivity, as it provides ample vertical screen space for tasks like document editing and multitasking. Additionally, the displays on both devices are protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3, which enhances durability by offering resistance to scratches and minor impacts. The support for 10-point multi-touch input ensures a responsive touch experience, allowing you to interact with your device effortlessly.

Also Read: Surface Go review

Performance

Although Microsoft has not included the latest generation chipset, the Go 4 has still made a two-generation leap from the 10th-gen in the Go 3 to the 12th-gen. The Surface Go 3 comes with a choice between a dual-core Intel Pentium Gold P500Y processor or a dual-core Intel Core i3-10100Y processor, combined with Intel UHD Graphics 615. While the higher-end chip offers reasonable speeds, the overall device doesn’t deliver significant power. 

The Surface Go 4 is equipped with a four-core Intel N200 chip. It is important to note that this processor belongs to a newer generation compared to the Surface Go 3’s options. In general, a newer processor generation tends to offer improvements in performance and power efficiency. According to Microsoft, the Surface Go 4 is expected to provide up to a 4.5x performance boost compared to its predecessor. However, it remains uncertain how it will directly compare in practice.

The Surface Go 3 is available in two RAM configurations: 4GB LPDDR3 RAM and 8GB LPDDR3 RAM. On the other hand, the Surface Go 4 comes equipped with 8GB LPDDR5 RAM. This is a notable upgrade in terms of memory technology compared to the Surface Go 3’s LPDDR3 RAM. LPDDR5 offers faster data transfer rates and lower power consumption, which can result in improved overall system performance and potentially longer battery life. 

The Surface Go 3 provides users with a choice of storage options: eMMC drive 64GB and 128GB SSD drive. The eMMC drive option offers cost savings but comes with slower storage performance compared to SSDs. The Surface Go 4 offers more diverse storage options including 64GB, 128GB, 256GB UFS Drive. Universal Flash Storage (UFS) is a storage technology that typically offers faster read and write speeds compared to eMMC.

Battery and Connectivity

The Surface Go 3 is claimed to offer up to 11 hours of typical device usage on Wi-Fi while the The Surface Go 4 boasts slightly improved battery life, offering up to 12.5 hours of typical device usage on Wi-Fi. 

Both the Surface Go 3 and Surface Go 4 share a similar array of ports and wireless connectivity options and ports including Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Bluetooth 5.0 (Surface Go 3) vs. Bluetooth 5.1 (Surface Go 4), 1 x USB-C port (Surface Go 3) vs. 1 x USB-C 3.1 port (Surface Go 4), a 3.5 mm headphone jack, 1 x Surface Connect port, Surface Type Cover Port, MicroSDXC Card Reader.

Keyboard and Stylus

Microsoft’s standout feature within the Surface Go line undoubtedly lies in its optional Type Cover Keyboard. This accessory holds the power to seamlessly transform the Windows tablet into a compact and lightweight laptop. However, it’s worth noting that Microsoft does not include this detachable keyboard with the Surface Go 4 and Go 3, which can be quite disappointing for potential users. Without the Type Cover, using the Surface Go becomes notably less enjoyable, especially for more demanding tasks, as the on-screen keyboard proves to be less user-friendly.

When considering the Type Cover keyboard, the first question that often arises is whether typing on it would be comfortable. On one hand, the keys provide surprisingly tactile feedback, with a satisfying clicky feel. Additionally, the 3.8 x 2.2-inch smooth glass touchpad, while small, remains adequate and responsive to various Windows gestures, including pinch-to-zoom and two-finger scrolling.

On the flip side, the Type Cover does have some drawbacks. One common complaint is its inability to remain firmly in place while typing, which can be somewhat frustrating. Moreover, the keyboard may feel cramped and may not be ideal for individuals with larger hands. Nonetheless, for frequent travelers, the compact keyboard encourages a certain level of restraint, ensuring you won’t inadvertently encroach on your neighbor’s space.

As an optional addition to the Surface Go 3 and 4 experience, you can also opt for a stylus. However, it’s not a necessity unless you have a penchant for sketching or taking notes. The Surface Pen boasts 4,096 pressure points, a tail eraser, a customizable button, and supports tilt for shading, making it a valuable tool for creative tasks and digital note-taking enthusiasts.

Pricing and Availability

Pricing is a pivotal factor for many users when deciding between devices. It’s important to note that the availability and pricing details for the Surface Go 4 are specified for business customers, with consumer pricing potentially varying. Here’s a breakdown of the pricing and availability for the Surface Go 3 and Surface Go 4:

Surface Go 3 Pricing:

• Intel Pentium 6500Y, 4GB RAM, 64GB eMMC storage, Wi-Fi – $399.99
• Intel Pentium 6500Y, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD storage, Wi-Fi – $549.99
• Intel Core i3, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD storage, Wi-Fi – $629.99

The Surface Go 3 offers a range of configurations to accommodate different budgets and performance needs. The base model with the Pentium processor is the most affordable option, making it an attractive choice for those looking for a cost-effective device. The Core i3 configuration provides higher performance at a slightly higher cost, catering to users who require more processing power.

Surface Go 4 Pricing:

The Surface Go 4 is initially available for business customers starting from October 3, with pricing specified for business use. It starts at $579 for the 64GB storage model

It’s important to note that this pricing is exclusive to organizations. Consumer pricing and availability for the Surface Go 4 may differ and should be checked with Microsoft or authorized retailers when the device becomes available for general consumers.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Microsoft Surface Go 3 and Surface Go 4 are both compact and versatile computing devices that cater to different users and needs. The Surface Go 4 brings several notable improvements over its predecessor, including a potentially faster processor, LPDDR5 RAM, slightly enhanced battery life, and a lighter build. However, the choice between these two devices depends on various factors, including your budget, performance requirements, and whether you’re an individual consumer or part of an organization.

Based on our analysis so far, we are skeptical about the ability of Microsoft Surface Go 4 to cater to the needs of mainstream users. Perhaps our review may prove us wrong, but if you are in the market for a new business laptop right now, we would suggest checking out other business 2-in-1 tablets instead of taking a risk with the Surface Go 4.