Surface Pro 8 ($880 with Type Cover): The 2021 Pro 8 packs a majority of the same features as the Pro 9.Specs to look for: Intel Core i3, 8 GB RAM, 128 GB SSD Like the Surface Pro, the Go 3 does not include a Type Cover keyboard or Surface Pen, so remember to pick those up with your tablet purchase. If you can, get the $630 configuration instead. Its smaller, slower storage drive and limited RAM could make multitasking and demanding apps feel slower. The $400 version has an appealing price, but it's not a great pick if you need the Surface Go 3 to serve as your main computer. It might not be able to combat the iPad Pro in terms of sheer computing power, but the Go 3 is well-priced and good enough for most college students, or anyone who has the budget for a second, portable computer.

With a Type Cover attached, it's a surprisingly good, if tiny, tablet and laptop hybrid. This third-generation model lacks the all-day battery life of its predecessor, but Windows 11 is a more pleasant touchscreen experience.īecause of its excellent Surface Pen compatibility, the Go is awesome for note-taking. Despite its slower Intel chips, it gets the job done. If your needs are minimal, or you prefer tiny computers, this is what you should buy. The most affordable, smallest member of the Surface lineup is the 10.5-inch Surface Go 3. Specs to look for: 13-inch Intel Core i7, 8 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD We’ll add our thoughts on the new laptop soon. You’re better off saving your money and opting for the Surface Laptop 4, which now starts at $600 from Microsoft and as low as $650 from Amazon (depending on the model). There’s no fingerprint scanner, the bezels are distractingly thick, and Microsoft no longer offers the option of an AMD processor. However, new processor aside, the Surface Laptop 5 feels outdated as a whole (especially when compared to other laptops on the market). On the inside, both sizes come with a 12th-generation Intel processor-you can choose between an i5 or i7 for the 13-inch model while the 15-inch version only comes with the i7. This time around, the USB-C port does come with support for Thunderbolt 4 though, so you can connect it to a 4K monitor and transfer large files at faster speeds. Both come with the same port selection as its predecessor: a USB-A port, a 3.5-mm headphone jack, a Surface Connect Port, and a USB-C port.

As usual, you'll have the choice between a 13.5-inch and a 15-inch model.

Microsoft made incremental changes with the Surface Laptop 5.

$1,300 at Best Buy (15-inch Surface Laptop 5)

Microsoft computers