The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio provides a high-performance laptop with returning Surface signatures like a hinged display and inking. Microsoft has framed the device as a successor to the Microsoft Surface Book 3, providing a more elegant alternative to the detachable tablet-esque display. The Laptop Studio looks like a promising successor to the Book 3 in almost every way, making it hard to recommend the older device unless you score hefty savings or demand that snap-off display.

Surface Laptop Studio vs. Surface Book 3 specs

Surface Laptop Studio vs. Surface Book 3 design and features

Surface Laptop Studio made its debut in a Sept. 22 virtual event, delivering what Microsoft hopes to be its next hit form factor for power users and creatives. The new entry in the Surface PC family occupies a similar space to that established by the Microsoft Surface Book 3, albeit with a fundamental design rework coupled with miscellaneous improvements.

Microsoft's existing Surface Book 3 is the closest alternative to the Laptop Studio, the early-2020 refresh of its high-performance laptop. While the design never drastically evolved throughout its three generations, it's defined by a detachable keyboard base, allowing the display to function as a standalone tablet. The new Laptop Studio product line fundamentally reworks the hinged display, no longer detachable, pulling forward and lying flat over the keyboard instead.

The new Laptop Studio hinge adapts into three angles; the standard laptop posture, the completely flat "studio mode," and a middle point known as tent mode, leaving the trackpad exposed. Although a step back from the 360-degree hinge used across the Surface Book lineup, these three modes fit the everyday use cases for work and entertainment. It's largely down to personal preference, although with the Surface Laptop Studio poses good value, it's largely down to whether the Surface Book 3 fulfills a specific niche for you.

Laptop Studio ships with a 14.4-inch touchscreen, versus the 13.5-inch and 15-inch flavors offered with the Surface Book 3. The 3:2 aspect ratio returns on an upgraded 120Hz refresh rate display for smoother visuals and interactivity. While Microsoft settled on a screen closer to 15 inches, the slimmer bezels mean a chassis akin to a 13-inch laptop. The Laptop Studio's 201 PPI means marginally lower pixel density than the 260-267 PPI Surface Book 3, even if likely unnoticeable to most.

Microsoft has also swapped out the precision touchpad inside Laptop Studio, adopting a "precision haptic" design geared around providing a more clicky interaction with the device. The touchpad no longer moves like on Surface Book 3, now using haptic engines inside the device, emulating the touchpad vibrations found across new Apple MacBooks instead.

The Surface Slim Pen received some love across the Surface family in 2021 too, and for Laptop Studio, it brings new considerations for the virtual stylus. The hidden charging cradle, located underneath the front of the laptop, doubles as a spot to juice up and store the latest pen. The Surface Book 3 traditionally pairs with the standard Microsoft Surface Pen.

While the Surface Book 3 remains a capable workstation for creatives and power users, the expanded feature set in Surface Laptop Studio can make older models a tough sell. While Book 3 can fulfill a niche with its detachable design, refinements in the Studio design could make for a more compelling portable companion for many.

Surface Laptop Studio vs. Surface Book 3 performance

The Surface Laptop Studio specifications mark a significant leap over the Surface Book 3, including new 11th Gen Intel processors, plus optional Intel or NVIDIA graphics. The Laptop Studio is an improvement in every way, although the Book 3 isn't a slouch in performance.

The Laptop Studio's i5-11300H and i7-11370H processors beat the previous spectrum of Surface configurations and even outpace Microsoft's newly updated Surface Pro 8. The high-end NVIDIA RTX 3050 Ti Laptop graphics are the best we've seen in a Microsoft Surface to date, versus the top-end NVIDIA Quadro RTX 3000 inside Book 3. However, the two 16GB or 32GB LPDDR4x RAM configurations remain identical year over year.

The Surface Book 3 remains performance-focused, with previous-generation Core i5-1035G7 and Core i7-1065G7 processors available, and its 15-inch model offers up to NVIDIA GTX 1660 Ti graphics. It's competent for photo and video editing, lightweight gaming, and other intensive programs while meeting Windows 11 upgrade requirements. However, the various Laptop Studio configurations overperform similarly priced Book 3 counterparts.

Microsoft has made sweeping changes to Surface Laptop Studio connectivity, including Thunderbolt 4 over its dual USB Type-C ports. The speedier connector proves ideal for faster storage, multiple 4K displays, and other external devices, compared to the slower USB 3.1 in previous Surface products. However, the consolidation also axes the dedicated SDXC reader, previously standard across Surface Book 3 models.

Surface Laptop Studio vs. Surface Book 3 pricing

While the Surface Laptop Studio delivers a new successor to the Surface Book line, the two devices remain distinct, with their respective use cases catering to a specialist niche. The form factor could sway some buyers in either direction and for most, it's worth considering which device caters to your needs.

If the answer is both, turn your expectations to the value of hardware on offer. The Surface Laptop Studio debuts a major specification upgrade, with slimmer screen bezels, a high refresh rate, and Thunderbolt 4 support, all requested for several years. While the Surface Book 3 remains a robust device, the Laptop Studio is the better option, by the spec sheet.

Take a look at that $1,599 starting price — matching the price of the entry-level 13.5-inch Surface Book 3, but with a newer 11th Gen Intel processor, double the RAM at 16GB, albeit with a smaller SSD. Higher-end configurations generally deliver better value with the same investment, making the Laptop Studio a compelling pick.

It's not clear cut, with previous Surface Book 3 discounts bringing the entry-level configuration down to $1,400 in the U.S. While not currently live, events like Amazon Prime Day and Black Friday 2021 could mean further savings, making the Surface Book 3 easier to justify.

Surface Laptop Studio pricing

Surface Book 3 pricing

However, it's also worth noting the Surface Laptop Studio, launching Oct. 5 in the U.S. and Canada, won't be coming to additional regions until 2022. Current alternatives including the Surface Book 3 and other high-end options among the best Windows laptops.

Go with Surface Laptop Studio if you want the best

The Surface Laptop Studio presents a promising new device for creative applications and power-hungry productivity, and while undeniably premium, its launch pricing falls in line with the Surface Book 3. Don't overlook the Laptop Studio if you're looking for performance, with best-in-class features and competitive pricing.

Surface Book remains capable — and cheaper than ever

However, the Surface Book 3 remains a portable powerhouse, and no other device matches its detachable, tablet-style screen. Those early-2020 specifications hold up in more demanding use cases, and if with the chance of future discounts, keep an eye out for prices below the usual RRP.

Overall, the Surface Pro 8 is the better choice for most people thanks to its cutting-edge CPUs, capable integrated graphics, LTE option, better ports, and lower price. With that said, don't overlook the Surface Book 3 if you're in need of a device with lots of GPU power. It may not have the best processors or ports, but it's got enough juice in the graphics department to power everything from gaming to advanced 3D rendering.

Surface Pro 8 vs. Book 3: Processing or graphics?

The main difference between the Surface Pro 8 and the Surface Book 3 is that the former has top-of-the-line processors, while the latter can be outfitted with some beefy graphics horsepower. The Surface Pro 8 has a wide range of 11th Gen Intel CPUs available that outperform the Book 3's 10th Gen options, but the Book 3 can be configured with powerful GPUs like the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti and the NVIDIA Quadro RTX 3000. The integrated Intel Xe Graphics in the Surface Pro 8 are better than the Book 3's aging Intel Iris Plus integrated graphics, but if you're serious about getting a strong GPU for gaming, video editing, or 3D rendering work, the Surface Book 3 is the clear winner. Both devices can be configured with up to 32GB of RAM, and both have excellent touch displays with high resolutions and quality color gamuts.

Outside of the CPU and GPU department, the Surface Pro 8 comes out on top with its modern ports, which notably includes Thunderbolt 4. The Pro 8 can also be outfitted with LTE connectivity for more effective mobile usage, and it also has a considerably lower price tag overall. The Surface Book 3 has a few advantages too — namely, an option for a 2TB SSD and a slightly better battery life — but we ultimately feel that unless you have a specific need for a powerful dedicated GPU in your laptop, you should get the Surface Pro 8.

Surface Pro 8 vs. Book 3: Which should you buy?

Both the Surface Pro 8 and the Surface Book 3 are incredibly attractive devices that are sure to make anyone happy, but between them, we think that the Surface Pro 8 will be the better choice for most people since the improved performance of its 11th Gen Intel processors will be very valuable for productivity and recreation. It also has Intel's advanced Xe integrated graphics available, which are strong enough to handle everything from the basics to light gaming and media editing. It's also got modern Thunderbolt 4 ports and a lower price, too.

Don't overlook the Surface Book 3 if you need a specialized Surface that packs lots of GPU horsepower, however. Its 10th Gen Intel CPUs aren't as good as the 11th Gen ones found in the Surface Pro 8, but its various NVIDIA GPU options crush the Surface Pro 8's Intel Xe integrated graphics when it comes to serious gaming and advanced video editing or 3D rendering tasks. It can also be configured with more storage and has a slightly better battery life as well.

If neither of these PCs are right for you, make sure to check out our roundup of the best Windows laptops available.

Microsoft is really going to town with some excellent deals for Canada, and if you happen to live in the Great White North then you've got another chance to save right here. Visit the Canadian Microsoft store and save up to CAD $700 on the Surface Book 3 convertible laptop. This means you can get a Surface Book 3 for as low as CAD $1,649 where it would normally cost CAD $2,149. Every single configuration that's available is on sale, so you could go all out and get the 15-inch fully-loaded version for CAD $3,949 instead of its regular CAD $4,649 price. That's huge savings on a laptop that's definitely not going to let you down.

If you're looking at the 13.5-inch Surface Book 3 you can still save as much as CAD $500, but the only ones available are with the French keyboard layout. Upgrade to the 15-inch configuration for both English and French. All of the deals available now end by Sept. 10, so act while you can.

We gave the 15-inch Surface Book 3 4 out of 5 stars. Daniel Rubino said, "That GPU is good enough to do some serious gaming, but it is even better for developers, architects, designers, scientists, or anyone who needs to do more work than a standard Ultrabook allows for. Developers will benefit from that 32GB of RAM, while engineers will appreciate the new NVIDIA Quadro option. Battery life is also better than average for this category."

The least expensive option on sale is the 13.5-inch version with a French keyboard layout. Even this one has some fantastic features for anyone looking for a great new laptop. It has an Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB RAM, and a 256GB solid state drive. It has Bluetooth and Wi-Fi 6 and a battery life that can last for up to 15.5 hours, which is crazy. The 13.5-inch version also has a beautiful PixelSense display with 3000 x 2000 resolution and a 10-point multi-touch touchscreen.

If you upgrade to the 15-inch version you can get the Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 Ti graphics card to accompany your Intel COre i7 processor and minimum of 16GB RAM. The display improves in size but also in resolution with a 3240 x 2160 screen. There are some other noticeable improvements as well.

Both options are covered by a one-year warranty from Microsoft.

What you need to know

• A Microsoft Surface Book appears in a new ad for the Disney Bundle.
• Dave Bautista stars in the ad as "The Streamer," a man who has "streamed every stream you can stream."
• Disney Bundle includes Disney Plus, Hulu, and ESPN+ for a flat monthly rate.

Did you wake up this morning expecting to see Dave Bautista in a ponytail advertising the Disney Bundle? Regardless of if that's how you started your day, it's what you'll see now. The movie star features in Disney's new ad for a bundle that includes Disney Plus, Hulu, and ESPN+. While the ad is, let's say interesting, on its own, our readers may be more interested in the device that Bautista uses to stream.

The ad features several devices, but the Surface Book appears multiple times. It seems that the versatility of the Surface Book appeals to Bautista's fictional character. He's seen streaming content on a log during the day and while kicking back with his feet up by the fire.

Interesting ads aside, the Disney Bundle gives people access to Disney+, Hulu (with ads), and ESPN+ for $14 per month. People can also upgrade to ad-free Hulu, though that brings the cost of the bundle up to $20.

Bautista is better known for his work as Drax in The Guardians of the Galaxy, but maybe that will change after people watch him camp while streaming Disney Plus and Hulu.

What you need to know

• Microsoft released firmware updates for the Surface Book 3 and Surface Laptop 3 this week.
• The updates include the usual round of bug fixes and general improvements.

Microsoft's Surface Book 3 and Surface Laptop 3 each received firmware updates this week. As is the case with most firmware updates for Surface devices, there aren't any new features on the way. Instead, each update includes a list of fixes and improvements.

If you have a Surface Book 3, you'll receive the following improvements and fixes:

The Surface Laptop 3 only has a firmware update available for the Intel model. Here's the change log:

You can grab the updates through Windows Update now.

Microsoft's Surface Book 3 is back down to its lowest price ever on Amazon. The unique convertible tablet went on sale over the holidays and was discounted earlier this year, but those sales ended over a month ago. It's back down to $2,200 for the 13.5-inch version with 512GB of storage and an Intel Core i7 processor. Other models are also discounted, including several with an available savings of $300.

The Surface Book 3 is a laptop unlike anything else on the market. The entire display of the Surface Book 3 pops off and can run as an independent tablet. When the screen is attached, the Surface Book 3 is a powerful laptop. On top of its unique form factor, the Surface Book 3 supports inking and the Surface Dial, which are both among the best Microsoft Surface accessories for artists.

In his Surface Book 3 review, our executive editor Daniel Rubino highlighted how the laptop stands apart from the competition,

The best deal in comparison to normal pricing is the 13.5-inch model described above, but you can also save up to $300 on other models, including the larger 15-inch version of the Surface Book 3.

Amazon's deals on the Surface Book 3 are only for Intel Core i7 models. If you'd like one with an Intel Core i5 processor, you can check out the current deals through the Microsoft Store.

What you need to know

• Several Surface devices just received their May 2021 firmware update.
• These include the Surface Laptop Go, Surface Book, and Book 3.
• The changes are minor and mostly pertain to stability and security fixes.

May 2021's firmware update for the Surface Book, Surface Book 3, and Surface Laptop Go is here. It's nothing exciting; just an assortment of minor stability and security tweaks, as well as some pedestrian tweaks such as improved battery reporting for the Surface Laptop Go. Here are some of the patch logs for each:

Surface Book 3

• 27.21.14.6140: Addresses display flicker issues and improve graphics stability (display adapters).
• 22.30.0.11: Addresses critical security vulnerabilities and improves connection stability (network adapters).
• 6.1.137.0: Improves stability when connected to an external display via Surface Dock 2.

Surface Book

• 1.62.321.1: Addresses security updates and improves system stability (software component).
• 92.3681.768.0: Addresses security updates and improves system stability (firmware).

Surface Laptop Go

• 8.16.140.0: Improves USB 2.0 stability and device reliability (firmware).
• 9.54.139.0: Improves device stability by addressing critical bugcheck (hub driver).

The full firmware logs can be found in the embedded links up above. And if you're not already an owner of one of these products (in which case, what brought you here?) and you want to learn more about the devices, check out our reviews, such as our Surface Book 3 review.

Microsoft's Surface Book 3 remains one of the most unique laptops available, with effectively no real competition. There are very few convertible 2-in-1 laptops that support inking and have such a powerful GPU. While this latest version does not mess with the formula, it's easy to lose sight of how powerful this laptop has become since it first debuted in 2015.

But how does Surface Book 3 fair on its own merits as a mobile, convertible workstation? Surprisingly well. While some will criticize Microsoft for not even making minor changes to the chassis, it's also easy to appreciate just how amazing this laptop is with the right silicon.

Pricing on Surface Book 3 has not shifted much since its release in June 2020 as it holds steady at $1,400 for the entry-level 13.5-inch model, though Microsoft periodically has better savings on the higher-end models. There is no Surface Book 4 arriving for 2021, and this laptop likely won't be refreshed until sometime in 2022 at the earliest, making it a safe purchase today.

TL;DR for 2020

Microsoft Surface Book 3: What's new and specs

While a lot of focus is on the refreshed CPU and GPU for Surface Book 3 (both 13.5-inch and 15-inch models), there are quite a few other updates to the internal hardware that complete the overall package. Here is a condensed list of what changed between Surface Book 2 and Surface Book 3:

The larger charger — now at 127 watts versus just 102 previously — may seem minor, but it matters a lot. When maxing out Surface Book 2 for CPU and GPU, say during video gaming, it was possible to drain the battery while plugged into the wall. The new 127-watt charger fixes this problem.

Surface Book 2 could only be purchased with 16GB of RAM max, but developers and engineers demanded more. With Surface Book 3 15-inch, 16GB is now the lowest model, and it is only available in one of the four models, with the other three being 32GB configurations.

Wi-Fi 6 (ax) is standard these days in most new laptops, so it being here is not remarkable. But since Intel is the predominant maker of Wi-Fi 6 laptop chips, it is an excellent move away from Microsoft's previous supplier Marvel. The Marvel Wi-Fi hardware was a problem in the past with instability issues for some users.

Here is a full spec comparison between Surface Book 2 and Surface Book 3.

The SSD used for storage is also now faster, as the benchmarks below reveal. You can also now top it off at 2TB instead of just 1TB with Surface Book 2.

Surface Book 3 15 Consumer

Surface Book 3 15 Commercial

The wire mechanism that controls the display detaching is reportedly two times faster and quieter than Surface Book 2, a minor change. While it is difficult to judge the speed difference, it is quicker than Surface Book 2.

Don't mess with a good thing

Surface Book 3 15 design

There is nothing new with Surface Book 3's design compared to Surface Book 2. While one could argue Surface Book's iconic and future-forward design is unmatched, it would have been nice to see some minor changes, akin to Surface Laptop 3, which at least gained a larger trackpad.

The magnesium chassis of the Surface Book 3 15 is stable, smooth, and very durable. Since there is no paint — unlike the Surface Laptop in various colors — there is only concern over light scuffing rather than paint scratches. There are no creaks or weak points due to the unibody design. That also means, however, there are no entry points for repairs on the Surface Book 3 nor any way to upgrade internal components.

The claim to fame with Surface Book is the ability to press a release button on the keyboard that separates the display from the main laptop body. Microsoft achieved this by putting all the PC innards — CPU, RAM, storage, Wi-Fi/Bluetooth, and some battery — into the display, while the base acts as a larger battery and houses the full NVIDIA GPU. It's a fantastic feat of engineering; no other laptop has this design.

The display removed from the base can act as a standalone PC tablet with about an hour of battery life. It can also be reversed to bring the screen closer to the user (when watching a movie) or lay down flat ("studio mode"), which simulates a drafting table. It's not a practical design when compared to laptops with simple hinges, but it also means Surface Book 3 does more than every other convertible.

I wouldn't, however, describe Surface Book 3 as rugged. The power and volume keys are located on the top of the display, making sense for the tablet portion. But this design leaves those critical buttons exposed and prone to damage. It is also possible to dent the chassis, especially the top display half, where there is some empty space. The fulcrum hinge, which expands the base of the laptop when opened, has not changed from its predecessor. There is still the iconic "gap" when the Surface Book is closed, giving the device its book-like shape. The display can also be opened one-handed and is easy to do with the massive front notch.

At 4.2 pounds (1,905 grams), the Surface Book 3 15 is below the average weight for 15-inch laptops with touch displays and discrete graphics.

As a tablet, the Surface Book 3 15, while a bit large to hold one-handed, weighs 1.8 pounds (817 grams). Considering there is a full, quad-core Core i7 processor with (up to) 2TB of storage and 32GB of RAM behind that display, the tablet is quite remarkable.

For ports, Microsoft provides the bare minimum for a competitive experience. Two Type-A (USB 3.1 Gen 2) ports flank the left side along with a full SD card reader, both of which are becoming rarer. On the right side is a single Type-C (USB 3.1 Gen 2) port with Power Delivery, display out (DisplayPort 1.4), and it can be used to charge the Book 3 slowly. Near that Type-C port is the Surface Connect port for charging, data, and connecting to Surface Dock 2 for port and display expansion (up to two 4K displays at 60Hz).

As expected, there is no Thunderbolt 3 with Surface Book 3, with security concerns being one of the reasons why, according to Microsoft.

A delight to behold

Surface Book 3 display and inking

Microsoft did not improve upon the 3240 x 2160 PixelSense LCD touch display for Surface Book 3. It still has a 1600:1 contrast ratio and 3:2 aspect. There is no anti-reflective layer, making this display quite glossy. Likewise, there is no support for HDR or Dolby Vision, which is disappointing. There is no difference in color calibration, either, with 97 percent sRGB, 72 percent AdobeRGB, and 72 percent DCI-P3 in our tests. While these results are good, nearly every other premium laptop in this range has similar or even better scores.

Brightness peaks at 411 nits with the display set to 100 percent, and it can reach as low as three nits at the lowest end. For comparison, the MacBook Pro 16 gets a comparable 420 nits of brightness. Microsoft provides an auto-brightness sensor, which was disabled for these tests. And like all other Surface PCs, it has the controversial "adaptive contrast" function, which can be disabled with an Intel utility.

Inking is also the same as Surface Book 2, with 4,096 levels of pressure and tilt support. There is a mere 21-millisecond latency thanks to Microsoft's custom PixelSense Accelerator chip, which works with its $99 Surface Pen.

In the upper bezel of the display sits a 5MP front-facing camera with dual microphones capable of 1080P video in Microsoft Teams, Skype, or Zoom calls. Surface Pro X, Surface Go 2, Surface Pro 7, and Surface Book 3 easily have the best cameras around on any laptop. That camera area also houses the Windows Hello infrared facial recognition system, like all other Surface PCs. Instant-on, the ability to resume quickly, is also excellent.

Some will lament the "thick" bezels of Surface Book 3, which have not changed in years. That's somewhat fair, but since the display can be used as a tablet, those bezels help with usability. When using Book 3 as a laptop, the bezels never bothered me, nor did I notice them.

Best typing

Surface Book 3 15 trackpad and keyboard

Microsoft's Surface line nearly always has the best keyboards and trackpads for Windows PCs, and that holds especially true with Surface Book 3.

Not much has changed with the Book 3's keyboard, which is a good thing. Key travel is still 1.55mm, which is deep compared to many other laptops. The all-silver and metal keys are excellent at hiding dirt and oil. Typing is roomy, quiet, and features exceptional response and return metrics. Due to the 3:2 display aspect, there is plenty of room for your palms and wrists to rest on the keyboard deck (although if you wear a watch or bracelet, it may scrape up against the chassis). Three-stage backlighting (manually enabled via F1) lets you type in the dark.

There are some very minor alterations to Book 3's keyboard. On the F4 and F8 keys, there are now little tactile nubs for better detection, likely for accessibility reasons. The top-row function keys also have had a few features moved around, similar to what we saw on Surface Go 2.

Microsoft makes a superb trackpad, and there is little to complain about with the Book 3's. It is glass, smooth, uses Microsoft Precision drivers, and it has a very good (and quiet) click to it. Microsoft did not make the trackpad larger for this year, as it did with Surface Laptop 3. Right now, the trend is exceptionally large trackpads, which, when combined with excellent palm rejection, give users what they want. Why Microsoft could not even bother with this simple modification is baffling.

Dolby Atmos

Surface Book 3 15 audio and speakers

Two speakers flank the display on Surface Book 3, which are nicely hidden in the somewhat large display bezels. The speakers are about 4/5s of the way up and are front-facing, delivering audio that lines up nicely with your ears. Again, no other laptop does this, as they typically all have speakers in the keyboard base. But with Surface Book 3, since the display becomes a detachable tablet, they must be in the top half.

New this year are some software enhancements with Dolby Atmos. While users cannot adjust its properties, Dolby Atmos provides much better spatial performance with the two speakers letting it "surround" you. When combined with the well-tuned speakers of Book 3 and their position, watching movies or a YouTube video is quite an experience.

However, Surface Book 3 is missing a subwoofer for deeper bass. With only two speakers, Microsoft has less range than systems with four speakers, and as a result, audio is not nearly as rich as some other laptops.

Much power

Surface Book 3 15 performance, battery, and heat

So far, this review has been mostly a recap of Surface Book 2 with some minor modifications. But the heart of this hardware refresh is the CPU, GPU, and SSD, which, when combined, make Surface Book 3 the most potent version to date.

The new, but commonly used, 10th-Gen Intel Core i7-1065G7 is nothing particularly exciting. This version of the quad-core 15-watt processor gets a somewhat higher Thermal Design Power (TDP) setting that temporarily boosts to 25-watts. That doesn't make this Core i7 any faster than other Ultrabooks. It does mean that as long as the system's heat is being adequately dissipated, Book 3 can maintain extended turbo performance.

Geekbench 5

Geekbench 5.0 (CPU) (Higher is better)

Geekbench 4

Geekbench 4.0 (CPU) (Higher is better)

PCMark

PCMark 10

GPU

Geekbench 4.0 CUDA (higher is better)

SSD

CrystalDiskMark (Higher is better)

.

The NVIDIA GeForce GTX-1660 Ti is an interesting choice. While Microsoft eschewed using a more modern RTX 2060 with Max-Q Design, the GTX 1660 Ti, by comparison, gets about 15 percent less performance — minus any ray-tracing ability compared to it. When likening to Surface Book 2's GTX 1060, the newer GTX 1660 Ti is about 20 percent faster. None of those numbers are impressive on their own, but when you toss in 32GB of LPDDR4X RAM and a slightly faster SSD, you get excellent performance.

I was able to play DOOM Eternal (PC) at native resolution (3240 x 2160) and high graphics, while getting 57 to 60 frames per second (FPS). But Surface Book 3's performance is also very much dependent on how cold (or hot) your room is during strenuous and prolonged usage of the CPU and GPU. A more realistic DOOM Eternal experience in a 70 degrees Fahrenheit (23 degrees Celsius) area is ~ 60 FPS but at a lower 1872 x 1248 resolution with graphics presets on high.

On Destiny 2, playing at 2500 x 1600 on medium presets also yields an auspiciously fun 60 FPS. The popular game Rocket League can be played at 1620 x 1080 with high-quality settings and SMAA anti-aliasing while still easily hitting 60 FPS (V-Sync).

To be clear, Microsoft does not call Surface Book 3 a gaming laptop, and in no way would I classify it as such. Microsoft does claim Surface Book 3 is the best Surface for gaming, which is bolstered by the native Xbox wireless controller support found in the 15-inch model. That ability lets you get haptic vibration and wireless audio over the controller (so you can plug headphones into it).

I can tell you that gaming on Surface Book 3, including the just-released Minecraft Dungeons, is excellent. This laptop though, is still better suited for someone who likes to game on occasion versus all the time. The thermals are just not there for sustained 60 FPS if you want to leverage the full display resolution. (Dropping to full HD, however, is very doable.)

On 3DMark's Time Spy Stress Test, which loops through Time Spy 20 times, Surface Book 3 earned a 99.4 percent passing rating for FPS stability.

Estimating battery life is tricky, as it depends on how bright you run the display and how much of that GPU you use. Microsoft claims an extra half hour of usage with the new 10th-Gen Intel processor. Using the Windows 10 battery report, I ranged from seven to 10 hours of regular usage. Considering the potential power of Book 3, these are great results.

But battery reports and real-world experiences are one thing, and synthetic tests are another. PCMark 10's battery rundown test (which loops through running Office, web pages, video conferencing and work apps) revealed a stark contrast between Surface Book 2 and Book 3 (both Core i7, 15-inch models at 45 percent display brightness):

PCMark 10 Battery (Modern Office)

Some of that difference is likely attributable to the newer 10nm CPU platform used with Surface Book 3 (versus the previous 14nm one), and increased efficiency from the LPDDR4x RAM. Of course, were you to lean on that GPU, those high battery numbers would drop.

Finally, heat and fan noise are quite good. The fan rarely kicks on (if at all) during normal usage, and when it does, it is comparatively quiet with little of the "hiss" that older Surface products were known for. Having the CPU behind the display in a vertical orientation is useful for heat dissipation compared to jamming it under the keyboard with horizontal fan vents.

Temperatures peak at around 104 degrees Fahrenheit (40 degrees Celsius) behind the display near the center, while the base is a bit lower around 102 degrees Fahrenheit (39 degrees Celsius). These temperatures are in the normal range and never too hot to touch or uncomfortable in your lap. Impressively, after gaming for 20 minutes while playing DOOM, Surface Book 3 cooled down, and the fans turned off in just a minute.

What else is out there?

Surface Book 3: The competition

The Surface Book 3 is a one-of-a-kind laptop. It's a 2-in-1, but it's not a tablet first, laptop second. It's a laptop first, with the ability to remove the display and use it as a tablet, and there really isn't anything else out there like that at the moment. Including the fact that the Surface Book 3 has a dedicated NVIDIA GTX 1650 or 1660 Ti in the base, the Surface Book 3 quickly becomes the most powerful 2-in-1 with a GPU on the market.

The only close comparisons you can make are to products that aren't 2-in-1 devices, like the Dell XPS 15 with its 10th generation 6-core processors and NVIDIA graphics. Or, you could compare it to Microsoft's newest Surface Laptop 4, as the company is now touting that as its most powerful laptop.

The Surface Laptop 4 features Intel's 11th-generation or AMD Ryzen 4000 chips, up to 32GB RAM, 1TB storage, and is available in a range of colors. The newer chips are certainly more powerful than those found in the Surface Book 3, but the Surface Laptop 4 still only has integrated graphics. The Surface Book's GPU will blow the Surface Laptop 4 out of the water.

That said, if you're the kind of person who is only looking at the Surface Book to use as a laptop, maybe the Surface Laptop 4 is a better buy. You get more for your money, and even though you don't get a dedicated GPU, the integrated GPU on the Laptop 4 is actually pretty good. If you do need to do GPU work or need to detach the display or use inking, the Surface Book 3 is still the one to get.

If it ain't broke …

Surface Book 3 15 feels a bit old but is still one of a kind

Enthusiasm around Surface Book 3 has been tempered compared to previous Surface devices. With a design going on five years old, it is easy to look at the under-the-hood changes with some disappointment. At the very least, some advancements around display color accuracy, HDR, anti-reflective coatings, or a larger trackpad would have gone a long way to keeping Surface Book 3 fresher in 2020.

Besides the older technology criticism with the display, trackpad, and the lack of richer bass for audio, I also still occasionally had the tablet-detachment mechanism fail when activated. A message popped up and said, "Latch failed to open," although I could still remove the display from the lower half. The audio also began to crackle when playing a YouTube video and detaching the tablet as well but went away after the process was complete.

The fact is, there is no other laptop in the world that does what Surface Book can do. This conclusion is more valid for the 13-inch model as there are very few Ultrabooks in that range that also have a beefy discrete GPU (Razer's new Blade Stealth comes to mind). Plus, Microsoft gives you a choice between a 13.5-inch model or a larger (and slightly more powerful) 15-inch option.

None of that would matter, however, if Surface Book 3 was a lousy laptop. But it's not. At all. That GPU is good enough to do some serious gaming, but it is even better for developers, architects, designers, scientists, or anyone who needs to do more work than a standard Ultrabook allows for. Developers will benefit from that 32GB of RAM, while engineers will appreciate the new NVIDIA Quadro option. Battery life is also better than average for this category.

Typing, the web camera, audio, Windows Hello, and even that small-ish trackpad are still best compared to other laptops in this class.

However, I would not mind seeing Microsoft embrace AMD's latest Ryzen Mobile 4000 processors to deliver even more power. Questions remain on thermals, pricing, and just how much redesign would be required, but AMD's new chips seem like a perfect match for this laptop's goals.

The lack of Thunderbolt 3 here is a negative for some people, but I think the powerful port is also overrated. Many tech geeks have fantasies of buying and using eGPUs, but while that tech has been on the market for years now, it remains an expensive and super niche demographic. The fact is, for most people buying Surface Book 3, the Type-C 3.1 Gen 2 port handles most needs.

The bigger question that you need to answer: Do you need what Surface Book 3 offers? Many people do not and would be better served with the non-convertible but more powerful and affordable Dell XPS 15. But for those who want inking, a detachable tablet PC, and a respectable GPU, the Surface Book 3 is king. There's nothing else like it.

Even though both of these are Microsoft Surface products, they're really targeted at totally different buyers. The Surface Laptop 3 is the best all-rounder, offering a similar experience and sublime hardware but at a lower price and without the sheer horsepower on offer in the Surface Book 3. The latter, however, comes into its own in the power user crowd, but both are among consideration for the best Windows laptop right now.

Surface Book 3 vs. Surface Pro 7: tech specs

Where there are similarities

In several areas, these two laptops are quite similar. For one, both are available in two sizes, 13-inch and 15-inch, and both pack the high-quality design and all-metal build that we've come to know from Surface products.

Both, too, have high-resolution displays with both touch support and digital inking support, and both also support the optional Surface Dial add-on. Storage and RAM options are comparable across both, and where Intel CPUs are used, both are now on 10th Gen chips.

The port selection is also pretty equal, though you get a little extra on the Surface Book 3, but both now have USB-C in addition to the traditional Surface Connect port. So you can either use a regular USB-C dock or the first-party Surface Dock, along with any number of USB-C accessories.

The important differences

The differences are what should ultimately make the decision on which you should buy since it's here where the two take a different path and target a different kind of buyer.

The first big difference is that the Surface Book 3 has a detachable display and one that can fold around when it's attached to the keyboard base like a convertible. Not only is this perfect for consuming media, but you also have a tablet as well as a laptop. If you want something more portable, more mobile, and you don't need the keyboard, you can leave it at home.

The tablet also makes the Surface Book 3 much more useful with inking and the Surface Pen than the Surface Laptop 3. You can ink on it, the technology is built into the display, but since it's a traditional clamshell laptop design, it's much more awkward to use.

Besides the versatility, the other significant difference is the sheer horsepower. If you're looking for GPU power be that for video editing, rendering, or even a touch of gaming here and there, then the Surface Book 3 is the obvious choice. The 15-inch Surface Laptop 3 has excellent integrated AMD graphics, but that simply doesn't compare to what's available in the Surface Book 3. For power users, this the right choice.

Away from the hardware, the pricing is important to consider, too. The Surface Laptop 3 currently starts at $800, that's half what you'll have to pay for the lowest priced Surface Book 3. That's a pretty massive saving, and if you're trying to keep your budget in check, then the Surface Laptop 3 is a wise choice.

Surface Laptop 3 is good for everyone

The Surface Laptop 3 is a superb all-rounder and is an easy recommendation to everyone. It's beautifully designed and made, more affordable than the Surface Book 3, and for general-purpose PC use, schoolwork, day to day use, it ticks all the boxes. It's got features more creative folks will enjoy, and unless you really need the GPU horsepower or a better inking experience, you won't be disappointed.

The power user's choice

The Surface Book 3 comes with a higher price but also more versatility and outright power. If you're not getting the dedicated NVIDIA graphics version, you're probably better off with a Surface Laptop 3. But if you fit that power userspace, where the extra performance will be beneficial to your work (or play), then the Surface Book 3 is the smart choice.

What you need to know

• The Surface Book 3 has a new firmware update available.
• The update improves system stability and security.
• As is normally the case, it does not contain any new features.

Microsoft's Surface Book 3 has a new firmware update available. As is normally the case with firmware updates, the Surface Book 3's update doesn't include any new features. It instead focuses on device stability and security improvements, including improvements to the device's display adapters and graphics.

Here is the complete changelog, as found on the Surface Book 3 support page:

Microsoft highlights that Surface updates are released in stages. As a result, you might not see the update right away. It will eventually roll out to all Surface Book 3 devices. You may also see a "View optional updates" link within the Windows Updates settings. If you do see such a prompt, Microsoft recommends selecting the option to ensure that all Surface drivers in the release have been installed.

To grab the latest update for the Surface Book 3, follow these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Update & Security.
3. Click on Windows Update.
4. Click the Check for updates button.

Your device should then download and install the update.

If you're trying to squeeze in some last-minute holiday shopping, Microsoft is here to help you out. The Microsoft Store has a big sale right now on Surface devices. You can save hundreds on devices like the Surface Pro 7, Surface Laptop Go, and Surface Pro X. Even Surface accessories are on sale, like the Surface Arc Mouse and the Surface Pen.

The headline deal for Surface savings is the discounted Surface Pro 7 bundle. You can save up to $430 off on the bundle that includes the Surface Pro 7, a Type Cover, and a sleeve. You can also tack on optional items, such as a Microsoft 365 subscription or Surface accessories. There are several storage and color options on sale for the Surface Pro 7, so you can make sure to get the exact configuration and color combination that you'd like.

In his Surface Pro 7 review, our executive editor Daniel Rubino said that the 2-in-1 is "an absolute joy to use," adding that, "It's simply terrific. It proves that the Pro's design is not only here to stay but that this the best iteration of it."

There are plenty of great deals on Surface devices, so make sure to check out Microsoft's page dedicated to the last-minute holiday deals. Deals include up to $300 on the Surface Laptop 3, up to $150 off on the Surface Laptop Go, and up to $300 off on the Surface Book 3.

What you need to know

• A new firmware update is available for the Surface Book 3.
• The update improves Battery Smart Charing reliability and also improves security.
• You can grab the new update through Windows Update now.

Microsoft's Surface Book 3 has a new firmware update. The update is available for both the Surface Book 3 13.5-inch and the Surface Book 3 15-inch. As is the case with most firmware updates, this update doesn't include any new features. Instead, it includes several performance and security improvements. Some of the most significant changes include improvements to Battery Smart Charging reliability and and improvements to system stability.

Here's what's new for the Surface Book 3, as found in its release notes:

You can grab the latest updates for both the Surface Book 3 13.5-inch or Surface Book 3 15-inch through Windows Update now.

What you need to know

• New firmware and driver updates are rolling out for Surface Pro 7 and Surface Book 3.
• The Surface Book 3 updates are mostly focused on camera improvements, while Surface Pro 7 gets camera and pen improvements.
• These updates are rolling out now via Windows Update.

Microsoft this week shipped a new set of driver and firmware updates for two of its latest Surface devices. Both the Surface Pro 7 and Surface Book 3 received updates as part of this round, and they're mainly focused on a couple of areas. Most notably, both devices have picked up some general camera improvements, while the Surface Pro 7 has some additional improvements for the Surface Slim Pen and inking experience.

Here's a look at what's included in the updates for the Surface Pro 7:

Here's everything new for the Surface Book 3:

If you have a Surface Pro 7 or Surface Book 3, these updates should be available for you to download now via Windows Update.

What you need to know

• The Surface Book 3 has a new firmware update.
• The update includes a long list of improvements and fixes.
• The fixes include improved inking and stability.

Microsoft shipped a firmware update for the Surface Book 3 recently. The update improves inking on the device, improves general stability, and includes several other fixes and improvements. While the update does include any new features, it does bring quite a long list of improvements to one of the best Windows laptops.

Microsoft's support page outlines all of the changes, which can also be found below.

The update should be available now through Windows Update on the Surface Book 3.

What you need to know

• Microsoft's back to school sale is live and has savings across a range of devices.
• Surface hardware, PCs from popular manufacturers, and several accessories are on sale.
• You can save $339 as part of a Surface Pro 7 bundle.

Microsoft's back to school sale is live, allowing you to save hundreds on devices and accessories from the Microsoft Store. There are deals on a wide range of devices, including Surface hardware, PCs from Lenovo, HP, Acer, and more, and even a deal on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate to help students relax after their homework is done. You can check out all of the deals on the Microsoft Store website.

Several Surfaces devices are part of the back to school sale, including the Surface Book 3 for up to $200 off, the Surface Pro X for $100 off, and savings on accessories like the Surface Slim Pen, Surface Mobile Mouse, and Surface Arc Mouse.

The Surface Pro 7 has a couple of bundles available, including one deal that saves you $339 by bundling together a Surface Pro 7, Type Cover, Surface Pen, and Microsoft Complete. The Surface Pro 7 made our Best Windows laptop list as the best 2-in-1 available.

In addition to the savings on these deals, Microsoft highlights that purchases from the Microsoft Store have a 60-day return policy, a 60-day lowest price promise, and free support. You can also get Office 365 Education for free if you qualify.

What you need to know

• UAG announced several new protective cases for Microsoft's Surface devices.
• The lineup includes cases for the Surface Go 2 and Surface Book 3.
• They range from sleek designs seen in the Scout case to UAG's Outback line with a hand strap.

Microsoft Surface Go 2 and Surface Book 3 owners have some new options to protect their new hardware. UAG recently announced several new cases for Microsoft's newest Surface devices. Surface Go 2 owners can choose between the Outback, Metropolis, Plasma, Plyo, and Scout cases and Surface Book 3 owners can pick up a Plasma case. The new cases start at $45 and go up to $90 depending on the style you choose.

The Plasma Series features translucent back panels that let you show off the metal finish of your Surface device. The Surface Book Plasma case adds protection around both the detachable screen and the keyboard base. It also adds a bit of lift to the back of the device when sitting on a desk or table, improving the typing angle of the Surface Book. The Plasma case works with the Surface Book, Surface Book 2, and Surface Book 3.

The Surface Go 2 Plasma case covers the device's built-in kickstand but adds its own so you can still use the device at different angles. It works with the Surface Go 2 Type Cover and still allows you to access the device's ports. The Surface Go 2 Plasma case includes a shoulder strap and hand strap.

The Plyo Series case for the Surface Go 2 also has a translucent back, but it doesn't have the hand and shoulder straps of the Plasma Series. As a result, it appears clean and minimalist. It also has its own kickstand and allows access to the Surface Go 2's ports.

The Outback and Metropolis cases feature grippier exteriors. The Outback has a hand strap while the Metropolis features a kickstand.

The Scout Series case is the most minimal in the new lineup. UAG states that it's built with "feather-light construction" but that it has an impact resistant core.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it. That's the takeaway from Microsoft's new Surface Book 3, which launched last month, anyway. Featuring a design that sticks to what we've become familiar with through the past two iterations, the Surface Book 3 focuses on bringing some solid improvements to the hardware internals over a major redesign.

Despite the old look, the Surface Book 3 is still one of the more interesting laptops on the market. Windows Central executive editor Daniel Rubino already chimed in with his thoughts in his recent full review, in which he ultimately recommended the Surface Book 3. If you want a second opinion, however, MrMobile's new video review offers another perspective on Microsoft's latest Book.

Ultimately, while MrMobile remains impressed with the typing experience and power of the Surface Book 3, its design is getting a little long in the tooth. For more on his thoughts, check out the full video review above.

What you need to know

• Some day-one firmware updates are available for Surface Book 3.
• The updates mostly focus on system stability and reliability.
• Surface Book 3 is available to buy now starting at $1,600.

Microsoft's new Surface Book 3 is available starting today, and it has a fresh set of firmware updates available on day one. These updates largely bring reliability and stability improvements across the board, along with some interoperability improvements.

Here's a look at all of what's new according to the Surface Update History page.

• Surface SMF- Firmware 1.0.23.1 - improves system stability.
• Surface Panel - Monitor 3.99.139.0 - improves interoperability with creative software usage.
• Surface Panel - Monitor 3.99.139.0 - improves interoperability with creative software usage.
• Surface DTX – System devices 3.81.139.0 - improves system stability.
• Surface Integration – System devices 22.24.139.0 - improves stability and interoperability between peripherals.
• Surface System Aggregator - Firmware 10.5.139.0 improves device reliability during low battery scenarios.

If you have a Surface Book 3 arriving today, or are planning to pick one up, you can grab these updates right away via Windows Update. Otherwise, the new Surface Book 3 is available to buy now with a price starting at $1,600 for the consumer version. There's also a business version available, with NVIDIA Quadro RTX 3000 graphics with Max-Q starting at $3,500.

What you need to know

• Microsoft's Surface Book 3 is available for purchase starting today.
• The Surface Book 3 has 10th Gen Intel processors and options for NVIDIA GTX graphics.
• The Surface Book 3 for Business also has options for NVIDIA Quadro RTX 3000 graphics.
• The Surface Book 3 starts at $1,600.

Microsoft's Surface Book 3 goes on sale today and is available for order from several online retailers. The Surface Book 3 retains the look and design of the Surface Book 2 but has several internal changes that improve its power and efficiency over previous generations. The Surface Book 3 starts at $1,600. If you want to grab a Surface Book 3 with NVIDIA Quadro RTX 3000 Max-Q graphics, you can check out the Surface Book 3 for Business. The cheapest option with Quadro RTX graphics is $3,500. There are cheaper options of the business model without GTX graphics as well.

In addition to a bump to 10th Gen Intel processors, the Surface Book 3 also has options for NVIDIA GTX graphics or NVIDIA Quadro RTX 3000 graphics. The 13.5-inch Surface Book 3 has either Iris Plus graphics or an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Max-Q. The larger 15-inch variant gets some more power, with options for the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti Max-Q or the aforementioned Quadro RTX 3000 graphics. To get the more powerful Quadro graphics you need to look at a different listing, such as the Surface Book 3 for Business listing on Microsoft's website.

We put the Surface Book 3 through several benchmark tests recently, including stacking it up against the Surface Book 2, Dell XPS 13, and many other competing devices. If you need help deciding between the newer Surface Book 3 and its older sibling, the Surface Book 2, make sure to check out our comparison guide.

What you need to know

• Microsoft updated Surface tools to support the Surface Go 2 and Surface Book 3.
• The updated tools allow IT admins to manage, secure, and diagnose Surface devices.
• The Surface Go 2 is available now and the Surface Book 3 will be available later this month.

Microsoft updated several Surface tools that allow IT admins to secure, diagnose, and manage Surface devices. The tools now support the newly announced Surface Go 2 and Surface Book 3. These tools are available for almost all other Surface devices, and now support Microsoft's newest additions to the Surface family.

Microsoft summarizes the updated tools in a recent post:

• Surface Data Eraser. Allows you to perform a secure wipe of all data from compatible Surface devices.
• Surface Diagnostic Tool for Business. Provides a range of diagnostic tests and software repairs to quickly investigate, troubleshoot, and resolve hardware, software, and firmware issues with Surface devices.
• Surface Enterprise Management Mode. Allows you to secure and manage firmware settings within your organization.

Microsoft points out that the latest version of Surface Brightness Control already supports the new devices and adds that the original Surface Dock does as well following a firmware update.

You can download Surface Tools for IT from Microsoft's website.

Microsoft Surface Book 3 13.5- and 15-inch models are set to on sale on May 21. While Microsoft has not changed the fundamentals of its most powerful laptop, it has overhauled the chips that power them bringing them up to speed for 2020.

My Surface Book 3 15 review sample arrived for some testing this week. While it is still too early for general remarks on battery life and the overall experience (though I'm not expecting a radical shift in opinion), I can run some benchmarks to see what that new Core i7-1065G7 and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti (Max-Q) deliver.

Surface Book 3 15 – What's new at a glance

Before we get to the benchmarks, let us recap what is different from the Surface Book 3 15 over the Surface Book 2 15:

The wire mechanism that controls the display detaching is reportedly three times faster and quieter than Surface Book 2, which is a minor change, but I can report it as accurate.

And here is a full specification comparison between Surface Book 2 and Surface Book 3:

Surface Book 2 15 vs. Surface Book 3 15 specs

Surface Book 3 15 Preliminary benchmarks

Putting the Surface Book 3 15-inch through a few popular synthetic benchmarking apps reveals expected results. There is a slight boost in CPU performance when switching from 8th Gen to Intel 10th Gen Core i7, but the significant increase comes from the GTX 1660 Ti graphics card, which is significantly faster (especially on CUDA). See how it stacks up to other best graphics card options out there.

The tests, as always, are run with the laptops plugged in and set to maximum performance in a 70-degree Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius) room.

Geekbench 4

Geekbench 4.0 (CPU) (Higher is better)

Geekbench 5

Geekbench 5.0 (CPU) (Higher is better)

PCMark

PCMark 10

GPU

Geekbench 4.0 CUDA (higher is better)

SSD

CrystalDiskMark (Higher is better)

.

Running some other 3DMark benchmarks like Time Spy, Night Raid and Fire Strike show how the GPU shifts favorably for Surface Book 3 but falls short of most gaming laptops.

3DMark Graphics

For the full review, I'll include comparison scores for the above 3DMark ones, though you can easily compare them to 3DMark's online database. For example, the Surface Book 3 is more potent with its 4,979 score on Time Spy, while the Surface Book 2 only managed 3,557.

I'll also toss in some gaming benchmarks and framerates to see just how much better the GTX 1660 Ti is compared to the older GTX 1060 used in Surface Book 2.

While Microsoft is offering an option for NVIDIA Quadro RTX 3000 graphics, please make no mistake that option is not only pricier, but it won't be any better for gaming or general consumer applications. Indeed, due to the lower core clock rate, it will likely be worse. Quadro is optimized for 3D rendering and CAD applications, where its memory system is ideal for more precise work versus gaming, which is more reliant on faster core speed.

The Surface Book 3 15 charger is now 127 watts versus the older 102 watts that came with Surface Book 2. The Surface Book 3 can utilize 120 watts with 7 watts for the Type-A port found in the base. This improvement in wattage addresses a power-draining issue with the Surface Book 2, which, while rare, was a problem for some. Even though the charger does not seem bigger, it certainly is heavy (1lb, or 455G). Luckily, it is still a dual-prong plug without a ground, which makes it great for travel.

Dolby Atmos sound tuning is also here. The physical speakers are unchanged with Surface Book 3, but Dolby Atmos gives more spatial representation to audio and it sounds great. But due to the lack of a dedicated subwoofer, audio remains a little bit less rich than preferred. In theory, I can't see why this software tweak can't be implemented on Surface Book 2, save for the licensing cost.

Surface Book 3 15 Consumer

Surface Book 3 15 Commercial

For configurations, Microsoft is offering multiple for Surface Book 3 15, with 32GB of RAM being the most common choice. Surface Book 3 is aimed at software developers, creative "doers," social creators, architects, and engineers, and it seems to succeed in that regard with this refresh.

If you have any questions regarding Surface Book 3 15, leave them in comments, and I'll try to answer them in our review due next week.

Oh, and for those wondering, you cannot switch the tops of Surface Book 2 with Surface Book 3. Doing so causes it to get jammed on the base, and you'll have to do a manual release, which is not fun at all. Do not ever attempt this maneuver, as it won't work anyway (Microsoft seems to have reversed the magnets to avoid confusion when lining the two parts together, not that it stopped me from trying).