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Updated January 12, 2024·
If you prioritize customization and repairability, the Framework Laptop is notably better due to its design focus on those aspects. It offers a slightly larger screen with a higher resolution and a more recent processor model which may provide better performance, beneficial for intensive tasks. However, it is heavier and less portable than the Surface Laptop Go 3, which is lighter and offers a compact form factor. The Surface Laptop Go 3, while lower in cost, may have lower performance capabilities; it could be more suitable for general use rather than demanding applications. Both models come with similar battery capacity and RAM, but the Framework's larger and likely more power-hungry display could affect its battery life compared to the Surface Laptop Go 3. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Framework Laptop 13 (2023)
- Good for engineering and design
- Good overall display quality
- Very good keyboard
Advantages of the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3
- Excellent portability
Key differences
Engineering and Design
7.3
6.8
7.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.4/10
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
8.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
The Framework Laptop 13 (2023) is good for engineering and design, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 is only fair.
The Framework Laptop 13 (2023) offers a more powerful CPU and better screen quality, which are crucial for engineering and design tasks, whereas the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3, although slightly more portable, has a less powerful CPU and lower screen quality which makes it less suitable for such demanding work.
Screen Quality
7.4
6.8
13.5in
SIZE
12.4in
2256 x 1504
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
472.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
337.0 nits
The Framework Laptop 13 has a better screen than the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, and software development.
If you prioritize a sharp and vivid display for tasks like browsing, watching videos, or working with documents, both the Framework Laptop and the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 offer screens with sufficient resolution and brightness. For engineering and design tasks that require color accuracy, such as photo editing or CAD work, both laptops provide good coverage of color gamuts, ensuring that the colors you see are close to real-life hues. However, for gaming or 3D modeling where smooth motion is crucial, neither laptop is ideal due to their lower refresh rates, which can result in less fluid visuals compared to specialized gaming laptops.
Cost
$1,079
$789
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
$1,600
The Framework Laptop 13 (2023) has a price of $1,079 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 costs $789.
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Key similarities
General Use
7.5
7.2
2256 x 1504
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
472.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
337.0 nits
7.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
8.0 Hours
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
8.8/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
9.2/10
The Framework Laptop 13 (2023) and Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 are both good for general use.
The Framework Laptop 13 (2023) has a higher-resolution display and a more powerful CPU than the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3, contributing to a better general use experience. However, the Surface Laptop Go 3 is slightly more portable due to its lower weight and smaller size, and it also boasts a longer battery life.
Gaming and AI
6.3
6.1
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
2256 x 1504
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The Framework Laptop 13 (2023) and Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The Framework Laptop 13 (2023) and Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 are both equipped with integrated Iris Xe graphics, which can provide a fair experience for gaming and 3D applications within their limitations, but are not as powerful as dedicated gaming GPUs. They also have 60Hz display refresh rates, which are standard for most tasks but lesser than the higher refresh rates preferred for competitive gaming and smoother visuals in fast-paced 3D scenarios.
Content Creation
7.5
7.3
7.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.4/10
2256 x 1504
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
8.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Framework Laptop 13 (2023) and Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 are both good for content creation.
PerfectRec’s Content Creation Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for photo editing, video editing and other content creation tasks.
Software Development
7.6
7.1
7.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.4/10
8.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
2256 x 1504
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
The Framework Laptop 13 (2023) and Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 are both good for software development.
PerfectRec’s Software Development Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for software developers.
Battery
7.5 Hours
8.0 Hours
The Framework Laptop 13 has 7.5 hours of battery life. The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 has 8 hours of battery life.
Battery life estimate is based on a mix of common use patterns. More portable and higher performing laptops tend to have less battery life.
Portability
Very Good
Excellent
13.5in
SIZE
12.4in
2.9 lbs
WEIGHT
2.4 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.6in
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 to have excellent portability, while the Framework Laptop 13 (2023) has very good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.8
7.8
The Framework Laptop 13 (2023) and Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 both have good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
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How the Framework Laptop 13 (2023) and the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Framework Laptop 13 (2023) | Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,079 | $789 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2023 | October 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 11.7'' x 9'' x 0.62'' | 11'' x 8.1'' x 0.62'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 2.95 lbs | 2.49 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 11.7" | 10.95" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9.01" | 8.12" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i5-1340P | Intel i5-1235U | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 8 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 4 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 2 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 256 GB | 256 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 7.5 Hours | 8 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 55 Wh | 41 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 13.5" | 12.4" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2256 x 1504 | 1536 x 1024 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 472 nits | 337 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.8/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 8.8/10 | 9.3/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 7.5/10 | 7.5/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 8.5/10 | 7/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 8/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | Yes | Yes | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | No | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 1 | 1 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 2 | 1 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | No | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 2 | 1 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 4 | N/A | |
Shopping
Framework Laptop 13 (2023)
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Dig into reviews and images
Wired
Scott Gilbertson | July 2023
"If you’re thinking of investing in your first Framework, now is the time. The kinks and rough edges have all been smoothed out and this is a very nice machine with a bright, upgradable future. The only reason I can think of to wait is the AMD model, which I’ll be sure to test as soon as I can get my hands on one."
Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3
See more
Dig into reviews and images
PCMag
Joe Osborne | October 2023
"When it comes to affordably priced laptops, the numbers after the dollar sign are crucially important—more so than in any other price category. By increasing the starting price of its Laptop Go line by $200 and not changing much else, Microsoft irrevocably altered the calculus surrounding the decision of whether to buy the Surface Laptop Go 3. Sure, it has a newer processor and longer battery life, but don’t think for a second you’re not paying dearly for that extra RAM and SSD capacity at that new price."
Get a great deal on the Framework Laptop 13 (2023) or the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3
About Framework
Framework is a new American laptop manufacturer, specializing in modular and repairable laptops with the goals of promoting longevity and reducing electronic waste. They are a strong proponent of the right to repair movement. Framework laptops have replaceable RAM, storage, ports, keyboards, display bezels, mainboards, and more, making them a great choice for repairability-oriented individuals.
About Microsoft
Microsoft is an American technology corporation. Microsoft is best known for their Windows operating system and Surface laptop series. The Surface Laptop is their standard notebook offering, while their Surface Go, Surface Pro, and Surface Studio are their 2-in-1/tablet offerings in order of increasing capability. Although Microsoft charges a premium price tag for their laptops, buyers can expect a well integrated and packaged device since Microsoft develops the Windows operating system.
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