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What we think
The PerfectRec laptop team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 is more affordable, lighter, and more portable with better battery life, suited for general use, and comes with a touchscreen and a 3:2 screen aspect ratio which is great for web browsing and document work. In contrast, the MSI Vector GP76 is pricier, has higher performance with better specs for intensive tasks like 3D modeling, machine learning, and gaming. It has a larger screen but is heavier and has shorter battery life. Consider the Surface Laptop Go 3 for everyday tasks and portability, or the MSI Vector GP76 for high-performance needs and larger visuals. 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 Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3
- Excellent portability
- Good battery life
- Very good speakers
Advantages of the MSI Vector GP76
- Very good for general use
- Very good for engineering and design
- Very good for gaming and AI
- Very good for content creation
- Good overall display quality
- Very good overall build quality
- Very good keyboard
Key differences
General Use
7.2
8.0
1536 x 1024
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
337.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
264.0 nits
8.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
4.0 Hours
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
9.2/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
5.8/10
The MSI Vector GP76 is very good for general use, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 is good.
The MSI Vector GP76 outperforms the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 in general use due to its superior CPU and RAM, which offer better performance, and a higher quality screen suited for various tasks. However, the Surface Laptop Go 3 is more portable with better battery life, making it a suitable choice for those who prioritize mobility and longer use away from a power source over raw power and display quality.
Gaming and AI
6.1
8.4
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.8/10
1536 x 1024
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
360Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
6.5/10
The MSI Vector GP76 is very good for gaming and AI, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 is only fair.
The MSI Vector GP76 offers superior gaming and 3D performance primarily due to its high-end Nvidia RTX 3070 Ti graphics card and a screen with a high refresh rate, appealing to those who need smooth visuals and rendering power. In contrast, the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 has an integrated Intel GPU and a lower refresh rate display, which makes it sufficient for casual gaming, but it falls short for more graphics-intensive tasks and faster-paced games.
Engineering and Design
6.8
8.7
6.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.8/10
8.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
The MSI Vector GP76 is very good for engineering and design, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 is only fair.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3, with its Intel i5 processor, integrated graphics, and smaller screen, offers limited performance for demanding engineering and design programs compared to the MSI Vector GP76, which boasts a more powerful Intel i7 processor, high-end Nvidia graphics, and a larger display. However, the Surface Laptop Go 3's lighter weight and smaller size provide better portability for on-the-go use, while the MSI's superior specs make it less portable but more suitable for intensive tasks such as 3D modeling or heavy computational workloads.
Content Creation
7.3
8.0
6.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
1536 x 1024
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
8.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The MSI Vector GP76 is very good for content creation, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 is good.
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
7.1
7.6
6.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
8.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
1536 x 1024
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The MSI Vector GP76 and Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 are both good for software development, though the MSI Vector GP76 is somewhat better.
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.
Screen Quality
6.8
7.9
12.4in
SIZE
17.3in
1536 x 1024
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
360Hz
337.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
264.0 nits
The MSI Vector GP76 has a better screen than the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
For general use, the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3's screen offers a balance of resolution and brightness suitable for browsing, watching videos, and productivity tasks, while the MSI Vector GP76 provides a similar experience with an emphasis on sharp visuals and clear display. In the context of engineering and design, both the Surface Laptop Go 3 and Vector GP76 exhibit commendable color accuracy and range, essential for precision in creative workflows. However, for gaming and 3D applications, the MSI Vector GP76 falls short with a lackluster refresh rate, which is less ideal for the fluid motion and fast-paced action typical in these scenarios.
Battery
8.0 Hours
4.0 Hours
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 has 8 hours of battery life. The MSI Vector GP76 has 4 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
Excellent
Poor
12.4in
SIZE
17.3in
2.4 lbs
WEIGHT
6.3 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
1.0in
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 has excellent portability, while the MSI Vector GP76 has poor portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$789
$1,760
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 has a price of $789 and the MSI Vector GP76 costs $1,760.
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Key similarities
Build Quality
7.8
8.0
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers MSI Vector GP76 to have very good build quality, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
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We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 and the MSI Vector GP76 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 | MSI Vector GP76 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$789 | $1,760 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2023 | May 1, 2022 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 11'' x 8.1'' x 0.62'' | 15.6'' x 11.2'' x 1.02'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 2.49 lbs | 6.39 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 10.95" | 15.63" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 8.12" | 11.18" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i5-1235U | Intel i7-12700H | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 32 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 4 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 2 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 256 GB | 1024 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 8 Hours | 4 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 41 Wh | 65 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 12.4" | 17.3" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1536 x 1024 | 1920 x 1080 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 360Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 337 nits | 264 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.8/10 | 8/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 9.3/10 | 5.9/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | Yes | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 7.5/10 | 6.5/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 7/10 | 8/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 8.4/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | Yes | No | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | No | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | Yes | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 1 | 3 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 1 | 1 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | No | No | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 1 | 3 | |
Thunderbolt Ports | |||
Thunderbolt Ports | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
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."
MSI Vector GP76
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Marvin Gollor | May 2022
"The MSI Vector GP76 12UGS is a gaming laptop on speed. The advantages are clear: The Vector GP76 is a real gamer with its 360 Hz display and super-fast response times. In addition, the Core i7-12700H has double the power of the CPU in its predecessor and another highlight is the Nvidia RTX 3070 Ti with a real power consumption of 150 watts. This places the device in the top range of our database. The Vector can also operate rather quietly, offers a full sound range, improved battery runtimes, a key-configurable RGB keyboard, a very stable chassis and good upgrade options. Moreover, the display produces a nice, rich and clear picture."
Get a great deal on the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 or the MSI Vector GP76
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.
About MSI
MSI, also known as Micro-Star International, is a Taiwanese technology corporation. MSI is known for their wide range of gaming devices. Their series include the entry-level Cyborg/Thin and Sword/Katana series, the mid-range Bravo/Delta and Crosshair/Pulse series, and their high-end Vector, Raider, Stealth, and Titan GT series. At every performance level, MSI offers a variety of devices with varying balances between performance, battery life, weight, and price, making them a solid option to consider at every price point.
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