That distinguishes it from most other 2-in-1 convertible laptops, which typically weigh at least twice as much and have permanently-attached keyboards that make them less natural to use as true tablets. Weighing just 1.2 pounds and measuring 0.33 by 9.7 by 6.9 inches (HWD), it’s equally at home in your hands or propped up on a table. It’s a rectangular touch-screen tablet with an integrated kickstand. The Surface Go 3 follows a familiar design formula. Plus, our Core i3-based tester comes in at $629.99, and that's without Microsoft's compatible keyboard accessory, which adds at least another Benjamin. But with few improvements over its predecessor and computing performance that remains lackluster, the Surface Go 3 is also a slightly disappointing third-generation revision to Microsoft’s most affordable tablet, given the advances we're seeing on other platforms. A compelling starting price of $399.99, coupled with the refined styling and high-quality construction we’ve come to expect from the Surface product family, make this the best inexpensive Windows-powered 2-in-1 tablet you can buy. Although it runs Windows 11 and can be used with an optional keyboard, the Microsoft Surface Go 3 is a tablet designed to compete with Chromebooks and the Apple iPad, not traditional laptops.

Microsoft surface 3 go