Microsoft Surface Laptop 3: A Leap Forward in Design and Performance
Microsoft has steadily expanded its Surface lineup, establishing itself as a key player in the premium laptop market. Among these, the Surface Laptop 3, released on October 22, 2019, marked a significant upgrade over its predecessor.
With improved hardware, refined design choices, and new processor options, the Surface Laptop 3 was positioned as a strong competitor in the ultraportable segment.
Historical Context and Release
The Surface Laptop series was first introduced in 2017 as an alternative to the Surface Pro, targeting users who wanted a more traditional clamshell design with the premium quality and innovation Microsoft is known for. The Surface Laptop 3 followed the Surface Laptop 2, which had been well-received for its elegant design but was criticized for lacking diversity in processor choices and connectivity options.
With the Surface Laptop 3, Microsoft addressed these concerns by introducing a 15-inch variant, offering both Intel and AMD processor options, and adding USB-C support—a long-requested feature from consumers and tech critics alike.
Key Specifications of Surface Laptop 3
The Surface Laptop 3 was available in two screen sizes: 13.5 inches and 15 inches, each featuring PixelSense displays with high resolutions (2256 x 1504 for the 13.5-inch and 2496 x 1664 for the 15-inch model). Other notable specifications include:
Processors:
- 13.5-inch model: Intel 10th Gen Core i5 and i7 (Ice Lake) processors.
- 15-inch model: Custom AMD Ryzen 5 and Ryzen 7 Surface Edition processors.
RAM: Configurations with 8GB, 16GB, and 32GB LPDDR4x memory.
Storage: SSD options from 128GB to 1TB (user-upgradable in the 15-inch model).
Graphics: Intel Iris Plus (on Intel models) and AMD Radeon Vega (on AMD models).
Battery Life: Up to 11.5 hours on a full charge.
Ports: USB-A, USB-C, Surface Connect, and headphone jack.
Operating System: Windows 10 Home (upgradable to Windows 11).
Comparison with Surface Laptop 2
The Surface Laptop 3 made several meaningful improvements over its predecessor:
| Feature | Surface Laptop 2 | Surface Laptop 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | 8th Gen Intel Core i5/i7 | 10th Gen Intel Core / AMD Ryzen |
| Display Sizes | 13.5-inch | 13.5-inch & 15-inch |
| Graphics | Intel UHD Graphics | Intel Iris Plus / AMD Radeon Vega |
| USB-C Support | No | Yes |
| RAM | Up to 16GB DDR3 | Up to 32GB LPDDR4x |
| Battery Life | ~14.5 hours | ~11.5 hours (real-world use) |
| Storage | Up to 1TB SSD | Up to 1TB SSD (user-upgradable in 15″) |
One of the most requested upgrades, USB-C support, finally arrived with the Surface Laptop 3. The introduction of an AMD processor option in the 15-inch variant was another major shift, allowing users to choose between Intel’s familiar power efficiency and AMD’s custom performance tuning.
New Features and Innovations
The Surface Laptop 3 introduced several new features aimed at enhancing both performance and usability:
- Aluminum Chassis Option – While the Surface Laptop 2 was exclusively available with the Alcantara fabric keyboard deck, Microsoft gave users the choice of an all-metal design in Surface Laptop 3, adding to durability and premium appeal.
- AMD-Powered 15-inch Model – This was the first Surface device to offer AMD processors, specifically the custom Ryzen 5 and Ryzen 7 Surface Edition chips, designed for enhanced performance and better-integrated graphics.
- User-Replaceable SSD – Unlike previous models, the 15-inch version of the Surface Laptop 3 allowed users to swap out the SSD for upgrades, addressing a major limitation of earlier Surface devices.
- Faster Charging – Microsoft claimed 80% charge in under an hour, thanks to fast-charging capabilities, making the device more convenient for on-the-go users.
- Improved Keyboard and Trackpad – The keyboard remained one of the best in its class, but the trackpad was made 20% larger, improving usability for gestures and navigation.
Interesting Facts
- The Surface Laptop 3 (15-inch) was the first Microsoft laptop powered by an AMD processor, marking a new partnership between Microsoft and AMD.
- Microsoft opted to remove the Mini DisplayPort in favor of USB-C, acknowledging a shift toward modern connectivity standards.
- The Ice Lake Intel processors in the 13.5-inch model featured AI-powered performance boosts, particularly in areas like battery efficiency and photo processing.
- While the Surface Laptop 3 featured faster SSDs, Microsoft initially discouraged users from replacing them, citing potential technical challenges.
Conclusion
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 marked an evolution rather than a revolution, refining the series with better performance, a new 15-inch model, AMD processor options, USB-C support, and a sleeker design. While it faced stiff competition from other premium laptops like the Dell XPS 13 and MacBook Air, it continued to be a strong choice for Windows users who valued build quality, excellent keyboard experience, and a seamless Windows 10 experience.
Though later models, such as the Surface Laptop 4 and Surface Laptop 5, brought even more refinements, the Surface Laptop 3 remains a notable milestone in Microsoft’s journey toward creating a truly competitive premium laptop series.
