In this hardware refresh, Surface Book 3 promises to be 50 percent more powerful than its predecessor with battery life of up to 17.5 hours.
You’ll still be able to choose between the 13.5-inch or 15-inch model, and while there not significant design changes, Microsoft has focused on making big upgrades internally.
The Surface Book 3 features Intel 10th Generation processors, with the 13.5-inch model sporting a Core i5 quad-core processor, and the 15-inch model includes a Core i7 quad-core processor. The Surface Book 2 starts at $1599 for the 13.5-inch while the 15-inch model starts at $2499.
Surface Book 3 (15-inch)
The 15-inch model of the Surface Book 3 starts at $2299, and it comes with an Intel 10th Generation quad-core Core i7 processor, up to 32GB of RAM, up to 2TB of M.2 2280 for internal storage, and a 15-inch 3240 x 2160 display with thin bezels.
This time around, the Surface Book 3 comes with a GTX 1660Ti that should be enough to play most Xbox titles at 60fps with 1080p resolution, but without hardware-accelerated ray tracing. You can also upgrade to a Quadro RTX 3000 GPU starting at $3499 if you’re a business.
This model is also a device for gamers, since there’s now a new 127W charger to avoid problems charging during gameplay.
Of course, you can detach the display to use the device as a tablet, and Microsoft claims up to 17.5 hours of battery life.
Surface Book 3 (13.5-inch)
The 13.5-inch model of the Surface Book 3 starts at $1599, and it comes an Intel 10th Generation quad-core Core i5 processor, up to 32GB of RAM, 1TB PCIe SSD, and a 13.5-inch 3000 x 2000 screen.
The smaller device packs an Intel built-in Iris Plus graphics, but you’ll be able to get it with a Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 Max-Q graphics for a starting price of $1999.
Unlike the 15-inch model, the 13.5-inch version is expected to last 15.5 hours on a single charge.
Surface Book 3 tech specs
Here’s a closer look at the tech specs of Surface Book 3.
| Surface Book 3 13.5" tech specs | Surface Book 3 15" tech specs | |
|---|---|---|
| Display | PixelSense Display Resolution: 3000 x 2000 (267 PPI) Aspect ratio: 3:2 Contrast ratio: 1600:1 Touch: 10 point multi-touch G5 | PixelSense Display Resolution: 3240 x 2160, (260 PPI) 10 point multi-touch G5 Aspect ratio: 3:2 Contrast ratio: 1600:1 |
| Processor | Quad-core 10th Gen Intel® Core i5-1035G7 Processor Quad-core 10th Gen Intel® Core i7-1065G7 Processor | Quad-core 10th Gen Intel® Core i7-1065G7 Processor |
| Memory | 8GB, 16GB, or 32GB 3733Mhz LPDDR4x | 16GB or 32GB 3733Mhz LPDDR4x |
| Graphics | Intel Core i5-1035G7 models: Intel Iris Plus Graphics Intel Core i7-1065G7 models: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 with Max-Q Design w/4GB GDDR5 graphics memory | Intel Core i7-1065G7 models: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti with Max-Q Design w/6GB GDDR6 graphics memory |
| Dimensions | Intel Core i5: 12.3" x 9.14" x 0.51"-0.90" (312 mm x 232 mm x 13 mm-23 mm) Intel Core i7: 12.3" x 9.14" x 0.59"-0.90" (312 mm x 232 mm x 15 mm-23 mm) | 13.5" x 9.87" x 0.568-0.90" (343 mm x 251 mm x 15 mm-23 mm) |
| Weight | Intel Core i5: 3.38 lb (1,534 g) including keyboard Intel Core i7: 3.62 lb (1,642 g) including keyboard | Intel Core i7: 4.20 lb (1,905 g) including keyboard |
| Storage | Solid-state drive (SSD) options: 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB PCIe SSD | Solid-state drive (SSD) options: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB PCIe SSD |
| Battery | Connected to keyboard base: Up to 15.5 hours of typical device usage | Connected to keyboard base: Up to 17.5 hours of typical device usage |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi 6: 802.11ax compatible Bluetooth Wireless 5.0 technology | Wi-Fi 6: 802.11ax compatible Bluetooth Wireless 5.0 technology Xbox Wireless built-in |
| Security | TPM 2.0 chip for enterprise security Enterprise-grade protection with Windows Hello face sign-in |
|
| Ports | 2 x USB-A (version 3.1 Gen 2) 1 x USB-C (version 3.1 Gen 2 with USB Power Delivery revision 3.0) 3.5mm headphone jack 2 x Surface Connect ports (one on keyboard base, one on tablet) Full-size SDXC card reader Compatible with Surface Dial on- and off-screen interaction |
|
| Cameras, video and audio | Windows Hello face authentication camera (front-facing) 5.0MP front-facing camera with 1080p HD video 8.0MP rear-facing auto-focus camera with 1080p HD video Dual far-field Studio Mics Front-facing stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos |
|
| Exterior | Casing: Magnesium Color: Platinum Physical buttons: Volume, Power |
|
| Sensors | Ambient light sensor Proximity sensor Accelerometer Gyroscope Magnetometer |
|
| Software | Windows 10 Home | |
| In box | Intel Core i5: 65W Surface Power Supply w/USB-A (5W) charging port Intel Core i7: 102W Surface Power Supply w/USB-A (7W) charging port Quick Start Guide Safety and warranty documents | Intel Core™ i7: 127W Surface Power Supply w/USB-A (7W) charging port Quick Start Guide Safety and warranty documents |
As for ports, both devices are getting two USB-A ports, a single USB-C port with USB Power Delivery 3.0 support, a full-size UHS-II SD card reader, and a Surface Connect port, but there’s no Thunderbolt 3 support.
Microsoft is also adding far-field studio mics, and you’ll find 5MP front-facing and 8MP rear-facing auto-focus camera with 1080p HD video, and support for Windows Hello face authentication.
You can preorder the Surface Book 3 starting May 6, but the device will be available in the United States and Canada starting May 21, and Microsoft says they’ll be coming to more regions soon.
Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 21 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].