Microsoft Surface 3From real comments

Verdict distilled from 52 mentions across 13 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment61%
PROS 61%
CONS 39%

Rank based on 52 mentions across 13 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want a portable device that runs full Windows apps like Photoshop and Office
  • You take notes by hand and value the active pen and OneNote integration
  • You want more ports and expandable storage than an iPad offers at a similar price

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You need fast charging or long battery life away from an outlet
  • You rely on demanding creative or gaming software beyond light use
  • You're tempted by the base 2GB RAM model, which many call inadequate

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice
1Premium
Microsoft Surface Pro 2
Runs full Windows desktop appsExcellent pen and OneNote experiencePortable laptop-tablet hybridHigh price with accessoriesAccessory wear over timeUncertain performance with heavy 3D software
Microsoft Surface Pro 2
Runs full Windows desktop apps
Excellent pen and OneNote experience
Portable laptop-tablet hybrid
High price with accessories
Accessory wear over time
Uncertain performance with heavy 3D software
2Premium
Surface Pro 8
Versatile laptop-tablet hybridImproved pen and inking experience120Hz display and screen qualityHigh price, especially with accessoriesInconsistent battery lifeReliability and repair concerns
Surface Pro 8
Versatile laptop-tablet hybrid
Improved pen and inking experience
120Hz display and screen quality
High price, especially with accessories
Inconsistent battery life
Reliability and repair concerns
3Premium
Surface Pro 13
Fast, snappy performanceHigh overall price
Surface Pro 13
Fast, snappy performance
High overall price
4Premium
Asus ROG Flow Z13
Versatile 2-in-1/tablet form factorPowerful hardware in tiny form factorGreat for travel and portabilityPoor battery lifeHigh priceUncomfortable as a tablet - heavy and hot
Asus ROG Flow Z13
Versatile 2-in-1/tablet form factor
Powerful hardware in tiny form factor
Great for travel and portability
Poor battery life
High price
Uncomfortable as a tablet - heavy and hot
5Premium
Surface Pro 9
Full Windows OS flexibilityVersatile 2-in-1 form factorRepairable and upgradeableNo headphone jackHigh price with accessoriesInconsistent battery life
Surface Pro 9
Full Windows OS flexibility
Versatile 2-in-1 form factor
Repairable and upgradeable
No headphone jack
High price with accessories
Inconsistent battery life
6Premium
Microsoft Surface Pro 3
Excellent stylus and note-takingRuns full Windows softwarePortability and versatile form factorDifficult and costly repairsOverheating and fan noisePoor long-term reliability
Microsoft Surface Pro 3
Excellent stylus and note-taking
Runs full Windows software
Portability and versatile form factor
Difficult and costly repairs
Overheating and fan noise
Poor long-term reliability
Best value
7Premium
Microsoft Surface Pro
Full Windows productivityTablet-laptop hybrid flexibilityLongevity and durability of older unitsHardware failures and dead unitsWeak or overstated battery lifeKeyboard reliability issues
Microsoft Surface Pro
Full Windows productivity
Tablet-laptop hybrid flexibility
Longevity and durability of older units
Hardware failures and dead units
Weak or overstated battery life
Keyboard reliability issues
8Mid
Surface Go 3
Compact, portable form factorFull Windows 11 desktop appsGood for notes and light productivityBase 4GB RAM model is inadequatePoor pen and drawing experienceExpensive accessories and pricing
Surface Go 3
Compact, portable form factor
Full Windows 11 desktop apps
Good for notes and light productivity
Base 4GB RAM model is inadequate
Poor pen and drawing experience
Expensive accessories and pricing
9Premium
Surface Pro 6
Runs full Windows softwareGreat pen and note-taking experiencePractical port selectionNo USB-C or Thunderbolt 3Outdated stylus technologyPen jitter issues
Surface Pro 6
Runs full Windows software
Great pen and note-taking experience
Practical port selection
No USB-C or Thunderbolt 3
Outdated stylus technology
Pen jitter issues
10Mid
Microsoft Surface Go
Highly portableSolid secondary/travel PCGreat for note-taking with penInconsistent battery lifeKeyboard and pen sold separatelyHeat and fan noise issues
Microsoft Surface Go
Highly portable
Solid secondary/travel PC
Great for note-taking with pen
Inconsistent battery life
Keyboard and pen sold separately
Heat and fan noise issues
You are here
13Mid
Microsoft Surface 3
Cheaper than comparable iPad configsFull Windows OS versatilitySurprisingly capable Atom processorReliability and software glitches2GB RAM base model inadequateShort battery life
Microsoft Surface 3
Cheaper than comparable iPad configs
Full Windows OS versatility
Surprisingly capable Atom processor
Reliability and software glitches
2GB RAM base model inadequate
Short battery life

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

Owners see real value versus the iPad once keyboard and pen costs are factored in. Multiple commenters did direct price math showing the Surface 3 with type cover and pen undercuts a similarly equipped iPad, while offering microSD expansion, USB and display ports, and a full Windows PC experience instead of a locked mobile OS. This 'it's actually cheaper' argument recurs across many comments defending the device against price criticism in reviews.

Battery life and slow charging are the most consistent frustrations. Several users report roughly 4-6 hours of battery under modest use, and multiple comments describe having to power the unit off to charge it, with charging taking a long time and being intolerant of many USB power supplies. This was called out as the top annoyance even by owners who otherwise liked the device.

The pen and full Windows compatibility win over students and note-takers. Commenters studying science and engineering praised handwriting notes directly onto slides via the active pen and OneNote, calling it a standout feature at this price point. Others valued running full desktop software, multitasking with several windows, and expandable storage, saying it replaced their laptop for schoolwork and browsing.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?