The new Microsoft Surface Book 3 adds a powerful combination of the latest processor technology and even more built-in versatility to the best features of its predecessors
Any Microsoft Surface release is going to attract attention. The launch of the Surface Book 3 is no exception and, given the current acceleration towards advanced mobility and home working, it’s probably received more attention than most releases.
But this is perhaps no more than it deserves, for the Surface Book 3 is the most powerful version of the range yet and offers Intel 10th Generation performance, combined with exceptional graphics capability, and an improved detachment mechanism that makes moving from laptop to tablet form – and back again – even faster.
The power contained within the svelte, smooth, magnesium frame of the Surface Book 3 is incredible. Multiple combinations of ‘Ice Lake’ quad-core CPUs, alongside Nvidia GTX 1650, GTX 1660 Ti, and Quadro RTX 3000 graphics are available. You can have up to 32GB of memory and from 512GB up to 2TB of SSD storage, which can be upgraded to the faster M.2 2280 variety.
Exciting combination
This exciting combination will give you around 50% more performance than experienced on the Surface Book 2, and this model is just as quiet and cool in operation. With the same consistently good keyboard and trackpad we have seen on previous designs, the Surface Book 3 ticks all the boxes for core functionality and performance.
The PixelSense display is excellent. There are 15-inch and 13.5-inch versions and for anyone who wants to double-up the Surface Book as a business and personal entertainment system, the former choice is a great option. The display is 3240 x 2160 resolution and has a 3:2 aspect ratio.
Another important feature is the inclusion of a 8MP rear-facing, and a 5MP front-facing camera. Both of these are capable of 1080P HD video, which will appeal to users spending a lot of time on Teams, Zoom, or other collaboration and conferencing services right now.
All day battery life and Wi-Fi 6 support adds to Surface Book 3’s versatility. There is also a single USB-C port, twin USB ports, an SD card reader, and headphone jack plus Microsoft’s Surface Connect port.
Easy detach and re-attach
One of the most appealing features of the Surface Book has always been the ease and speed at which the screen can be detached and reattached, from and to the keyboard, and thus used intermittently as a tablet and a conventional notebook PC. Microsoft has made this even better on the Surface Book 3, which is excellent news for users who are in the habit of changing their form factor often during the day. Having a really good detach – re-attach function makes this so much easier.
The design of the Surface Book has remained fairly consistent, and why change something that has been so successful and popular? You would not do that simply to please the reviewers. Many argue that the Surface Book design is one of the best and makes it one of the most desirable 2-in-1s to own.
Yes, there has been a trend towards much thinner bezels in recent designs. But for most users, that’s not a big deal. It is the overall look and feel of the device that matters; how it feels to use every day. Ask most Surface Book users, and they have never had as good an experience as the one they get from the Surface Book 3. They will also often tell you that they will never go back to using another portable computing device. A lot of these users will be very keen to get their hands on this new version of what is certainly one of the most consistent and successful product lines in mobile computing history.
Second to none
With the Surface Book 3, Microsoft has – once again – produced a 2-in-1 device that warrants admiration and praise. Ever since the first Surface Book was launched, Microsoft has been onto a good thing and this third iteration in its evolution delivers what we have now come to expect: a convertible device that is second to none in terms of being convenient and easy to use as a productivity tool (including for video). It is arguably the most beautiful device in its class to behold, and delivers leading-edge performance using the latest CPU and GPU technology.
For professional mobile workers who want the best they can get, the Surface Book 3 has it all. It may be especially well-suited to developers and creative workers, who need to detach and re-attach the display to use as a tablet throughout the day. But it is also a great system for everyday use by all types of professionals.
To contact the Microsoft Surface team at TD SYNNEX for more information: Microsoft.surface@techdata.co.uk
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