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Updated January 10, 2024·
When deciding between the HP Envy 17 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3, consider that the Envy 17 offers more storage, memory, and a larger screen, which makes it well-suited for tasks that require more power and screen real estate, such as engineering applications. However, it is heavier and less portable than the Surface Laptop Go 3. The Surface Laptop Go 3, on the other hand, is lighter and highly portable, making it a better option for those who prioritize mobility and are mostly engaging in general use. Both have comparable battery life, but the Surface Laptop Go 3 has a higher resolution in a smaller package. Both come with similar integrated graphics and are equipped with backlit keyboards and touchscreen displays, but neither is designed for intensive gaming. 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 HP Envy 17
- Good for engineering and design
Advantages of the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3
- Excellent portability
- Very good speakers
Key differences
Engineering and Design
7.4
6.8
9.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.4/10
3.8/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
The HP Envy 17 is good for engineering and design, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 is only fair.
The HP Envy 17 excels in engineering and design applications because it comes with a stronger CPU, higher RAM capacity, and a larger screen, which are crucial for demanding tasks and detailed work. In contrast, the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3, while more portable and with a higher-quality keyboard, falls short in performance for engineering due to its less powerful processor, lower RAM, and a smaller screen which may not be ideal for complex software and multitasking.
Screen Quality
6.8
6.8
17.3in
SIZE
12.4in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
329.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
337.0 nits
The HP Envy 17 has a better screen than the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 for software development, and content creation.
The HP Envy 17 and Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 both offer screens with resolutions and brightness levels that are ample for everyday tasks, ensuring clarity and visibility under most conditions, which is ideal for general use. They also support wide color gamuts, providing the accurate color representation necessary for engineering and design work where precision is key. However, for gaming and 3D, they lack high refresh rates, which can limit the smoothness and responsiveness that's crucial for fast-paced visuals and intensive graphics processing.
Portability
Good
Excellent
17.3in
SIZE
12.4in
5.4 lbs
WEIGHT
2.4 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 has excellent portability, while the HP Envy 17 has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.2
7.8
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 and HP Envy 17 both have good build quality, though the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 has somewhat better build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,000
$788
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
$1,600
The HP Envy 17 has a price of $1,000 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 costs $788.
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Key similarities
General Use
7.5
7.2
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
329.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
337.0 nits
8.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
8.0 Hours
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
7.0/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
9.2/10
The HP Envy 17 and Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 are both good for general use.
The HP Envy 17 offers superior general-use performance due to its more powerful CPU and double the RAM of the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3, translating into smoother multitasking and demanding application use. However, the Surface Laptop Go 3, with its smaller screen and lighter weight, offers better portability and a higher-quality build and fan noise handling, albeit with a less capable CPU and half the storage and RAM.
Gaming and AI
6.4
6.1
3.8/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The HP Envy 17 and Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The HP Envy 17 is equipped with a capable GPU which makes it suitable for gaming and 3D work, but its screen refresh rate may not be as high as dedicated gaming laptops, affecting fluidity in fast-paced games. Meanwhile, the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 provides a balance of GPU performance for casual gaming and media creation, yet with its focus on portability, it sacrifices some screen size and refresh rate, which might be less ideal for those wanting a more immersive gaming or 3D experience.
Content Creation
7.5
7.3
9.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.4/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The HP Envy 17 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
7.5
7.1
9.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.4/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
The HP Envy 17 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
8.0 Hours
8.0 Hours
The HP Envy 17 has 8 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.
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How the HP Envy 17 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| HP Envy 17 | Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,000 | $788 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2023 | October 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 15.7'' x 10.2'' x 0.77'' | 11'' x 8.1'' x 0.62'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 5.49 lbs | 2.49 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 15.68" | 10.95" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 10.2" | 8.12" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i7-13700H | Intel i5-1235U | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 8 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 4 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 256 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 8 Hours | 8 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 55 Wh | 41 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 17.3" | 12.4" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 1536 x 1024 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 329 nits | 337 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.2/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 7/10 | 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 | 7/10 | 7.5/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 7/10 | 7/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 6.5/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | Yes | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | No | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | Yes | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 3 | 1 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 2 | 1 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | No | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 3 | 1 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 4 | N/A | |
Shopping
HP Envy 17
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Marcus Schwarten | April 2023
"In our test, the HP Envy 17-cr0079ng presents itself as a balanced multimedia laptop. Thanks to its solid CPU performance and dedicated entry-level GeForce, it can also be used for playing video games, as long as the demands aren't too high. Those looking for more can find it in the Dell XPS 17 for example."
Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3
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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 HP Envy 17 or the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3
About HP
HP, also known as Hewlett-Packard, is an American technology company that develops personal computers and computer peripherals. In the laptop industry, HP is known for its entry level Essential series laptops, its mid-range Pavilion, Envy, and Victus series, and high-end Omen and Spectre series, in addition to its business-oriented EliteBook, ProBook, and Dragonfly series laptops. HP laptops generally undercut other mainstream competitors in terms of price, placing itself as the value-oriented mainstream brand.
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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CEO and Laptops Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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