Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 vs MSI GF65 Thin

The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 is suitable for general use due to its portability and good battery life, although its screen quality and performance are acceptable rather than exceptional. In contrast, the MSI GF65 Thin, also fair for general use, offers a more powerful processor and better screen resolution for visual tasks, but falls short on battery longevity and is less portable due to its heavier weight.

The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 is equipped with an integrated Intel Iris Xe GPU and a standard 60Hz screen, which are sufficient for casual gaming but may struggle with high-end games and 3D applications. In contrast, the MSI GF65 Thin boasts a more powerful Nvidia RTX 3060 GPU and a faster 144Hz screen, offering smoother and more immersive gameplay, but its larger size and higher weight make it less portable.

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.

For general use, the Surface Laptop Go 3's higher resolution and brighter display provide clearer and more vibrant visuals compared to the MSI GF65 Thin, which may have a less vivid and lower-resolution screen. In engineering and design, the Surface's likely better coverage of DCI-P3 and Adobe RGB color gamuts means more accurate colors, which is essential for precision work; the MSI's screen, while adequate, may not offer the same color fidelity. However, for gaming and 3D applications where fluid motion is key, the MSI GF65 Thin, despite its lower overall quality, may have a higher refresh rate than the Surface, making it better suited for fast-paced visuals, while the Surface's lower refresh rate holds it back in this context.

Battery life estimate is based on a mix of common use patterns. More portable and higher performing laptops tend to have less battery life.

PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.

The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3, with its moderate Intel i5 CPU and integrated graphics, is less capable of handling demanding engineering and design tasks compared to the MSI GF65 Thin, which boasts a higher-performance Intel i5 CPU and powerful Nvidia RTX 3060 GPU; while the Surface Laptop Go 3 benefits from better portability and a sharper, higher quality screen, the GF65 Thin compensates for its added weight with superior performance suited for intensive applications.

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.