Microsoft Surface Book 3 15-inch review - Still unique, still expensive - Android

The Surface Book 3 is an incredible laptop/tablet hybrid, but you'll need something beefier if you want to edit video.

When I purchased a Surface Book 2 in November 2017, it was the most expensive thing I’d ever bought. It was an upgrade to my stolen Surface Book 1, which I’d picked up second-hand from a seller on Reddit. After using that first Surface Book, I was so into the laptop that I had to have the second generation. Ever since then, I’ve been waiting for Microsoft to update the line once again.

Now, Microsoft has finally released the Surface Book 3. But after so much time, is there enough new here to make me buy this laptop a third time?

This is Android Authority’s Surface Book 3 review.

What is the Microsoft Surface Book 3?

The Surface Book 3 is a hybrid laptop/tablet computer, but it’s different from the hybrids you’re probably used to. Instead of slapping a rubberized keyboard on the bottom or folding the display 360 degrees to become a tablet, the Surface Book 3 comes in two powerful parts. First there’s the main tablet part, which houses the display, CPU, RAM, and a battery. Then there’s the beefy keyboard dock, which hides an extra battery and a dedicated GPU. This combination allows you to use the Surface Book 3 as a tablet, laptop, or flip the screen around to use it as a digital art workstation.

The fulcrum hinge on the Surface Book 3 is the most unique feature from the line. It curls like a spine, and will only do so while the tablet screen is attached. This makes it feel a bit like the spine of a book and is where the Surface Book 3 gets its name. It looks more fashionable and makes carrying the laptop more comfortable, though it has been criticized for leaving a bit of a gap above the keyboard where dust might sneak in.

The tablet portion of the laptop only has a charging port, so you’ll need to dock into the base if you want to use ports. Fortunately, the keyboard base doesn’t disappoint with port selection. There are two USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type A ports, one USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type C port, a Surface Connect power port, and an SD card reader. As a creative professional, I’m very happy Microsoft included that SD card slot, although I wish it had given the USB-C port Thunderbolt capabilities. Microsoft blames security for this limitation.

What is it like using the Microsoft Surface Book 3?

The entire system is made of magnesium alloy, which gives it a smooth and industrial look and feel. Most often, I used the Surface Book 3 in laptop mode. I’m just too attached to that keyboard and, when detached, the 15-inch slate portion is simply massive. I occasionally used the tablet in standalone format when reading, but it’s quite unwieldy on its own. It can be nice to use the screen flipped around while watching movies, and using the screen flipped and laid atop the keyboard is useful when making digital art.

The thickness required for the battery and GPU means the Surface Book 3 has ample key travel, bottoming out at 1.55mm, up from the 1.2mm of travel on the Surface Book 2. While the keyboard on the Surface Book 2 was already one of my favorite of any laptop, the extra depth of the Surface Book 3 improves the typing experience. The touchpad underneath the keyboard is great, but it feels a bit small by today’s standards, especially when compared to the massive touchpad on the MacBook Pro 16. Still, it’s got great glide for your fingers and is plenty clicky.

See also: Best keyboards for work and play