Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 (15-in) Long-Term Review: AMD vs. Intel

[@PebblesChan]

Using the AMD Surface Laptop 3 for 8 months or so, and now with the surface dock 2, it is a wonderful combination. I works well and is extremely portable. I can’t live without the magnetic microsoft connector - the dock easy engages and disengages upon demand (none of this fiddly usb-c connector rubbish). It works great with 2 external monitors, keyboard, mouse and wired ethernet connection. The 1Gbit ethernet connection is lightning quick. It runs all my software acceptably - most being single threaded. I just wish new processors can double or triple existing single thread speeds rather than increasing core counts. I’m not overly keen on the keyboard feel but that’s a personal preference. I think the key caps need just a bit more concave to them. When the time comes, I just hope that the battery will be easy to change.

[@badaladaladala8662]

Most underrated tech reviewer 👍 Really great quality review 👌 New subscriber!

[@andrewmarcdavid]

Thanks really appreciate it 👊

[@jasperm.478]

The built in mics are incredible compared to any other clamshell laptops!

[@shahelak7661]

Totally agree. It's really good for meetings, etc.

[@realdongyee]

I've seen your previous surface Laptop 3 videos and they helped me a lot! I was just looking for a graphics comparison, so luckily you uploaded! :)

[@DanielRodriguez-fg5ll]

nice video, my only suggestion would have been to include other real-life comparisons between both models, say, Video rendering, Lightroom export, code compiling.

[@marioneutel4360]

The camera is good, i've seen worst. 😂 But the reads and writes of the SSD are weak. I've seen much higher values on other laptops, and for this price point the user deserves a much better performance. Now here's an idea, you could make some videos on alternatives for some laptops. For example, an alternative for this surface laptop 3... Keep up the good work.

[@JordanICM]

You compared the Ryzen 5 to the i7. I think you should have compared the Ryzen 7. Nonetheless, still a nice review.

[@alsabbas]

Nice video, I recently purchased the 15 inch Intel version, one thing I have noticed is that when on web pages, outlook, etc. the screen is much more dull / dimmer as compared to my 13 inch model, specially for the white color. Is that I had bought earlier. Is this something that you observed as well?

[@kevinm4x]

Unfair for amd, these should include ryzen 4xxx laptop processors which are the latest ones that go against intel gen 10

[@l3vzz281]

Great video! What do you think after Microsoft are including the AMD Rryzen 7 3780u? and can this CPU be compared to the intel 10th gen i7-10875h? I looking nat this and the xps17. Thanks!!

[@chelious1973]

You say the advantage of the 15 over the 13.5 is screen real estate. But you left out the fact the 15 inch has the same exact size battery as the 13.5 inch. Therefore the 13.5 has better battery life. The 15 isn't much bigger than the 13.5 inch. The 3:2 aspect ratio on the 13.5 inch is beneficial as the 13.5 has slightly more real estate than a 16:9 14 inch. The 15 SL3 has a 15 inch screen that is about equal to a 15.6 16:9 inch laptop. It's like comparing a 14 inch to a 15.6 laptop with a traditional laptop. Not that big a deal. What is a big deal is the battery life and the money you save by going with a 13.5 inch. Also, the matte black isn't as bad a finger print magnet as you make it out to be. If you never wash your hands and like KFC yeah you will have issues.

[@bradleycochran4595]

I continue to enjoy your videos and I look forward to hopefully seeing videos on desktops.

[@lolunderstated533]

I do agree that other Reviewers were harsh on the amd version. You forgot to mention however that the intel variant has WiFi 6 though.

[@williamcohen3351]

Nice Machine. I wish Microsoft would on their 15 inch business machine put a full size 10 key pad on it for those people who use it for number crunching. Also I wish they would replace their power adapter connection on the laptop with another usb-c port and use that to charge it with a usb-c 65 Watt power adapter. More universal. The camera is display looks quite good, better than average. Great review. Keep up the great work.

[@lenkkraftverstaerker]

So true, I think it's a perfect business machine just the full size keyboad is missing. Think Pads look so last century. And there simply aren't many alternatives, especially not ultrabooks, that come with it.

[@moathalsharif726]

Do you recommend the new HP zbook 15v over the Microsoft laptop 3 AMD rayzon 5, 16gb,256 ssd, AMD Radeon vega 9 ? Both are about 1500 and 1700 € I study civil engineering right now and it's too hard to me to choose between these both laptops! Thank you

[@ccroy2001]

As cool as the black looks I think I would go with the Platinum too. Tablet or laptop the Surface design and sound quality makes them feel high quality.

[@darylnd]

98% sRGB is "good for Photoshop," if you're only processing for digital publication but 78% AdobeRGB is inferior for print. I prefer to work in the largest color space I can (after RAW conversion) then export the processed files to the appropriate format. And though it may seem counter-intuitive, color accuracy is especially important when converting to monochrome. If you're only working for Reuters, none of this matters since they only accept straight-out-of-camera JPEGs.

[@MegaCommissar]

Thx for the test. I was really sad to the AMD was in port on par export compare as Intel as I have been really impressed with the Ryzen as desktop. Even though Ryzen 7 3780U is very expensive did you have test it out? Hopefully Microsoft will try the Ryzen 4000 when it comes out.

[@rv158]

..." coming up", stuck in my head.

[@GoldenNada]

well its gotten a bit better now after a few more updates. still not as good as the 10th gen but its came a long way I would say most of the negative reviews was just because it wasn't as optimized as other surface products.

[@michaelc4917]

Any problem with your screen? I have read some people's screen cracked for no reason. Do you think the glass screen is fragile?

[@carmennooner2027]

Off the wall question here. Do you know of any channel who does as thorough and complete a review of the television shopping channel's laptop and tablet offerings? They particularly partner with HP for their laptops, although lately I have seen the Macbook and an IPad tablet. They are trying to sell stuff, not review stuff. Is there someone out there I am missing who actually buys and reviews these items? After all, they can be returned to the seller within 30 days. Just curious, because they make many of their products sound as though they are "worth your money"!

[@andrewmarcdavid]

Good question. Not really sure.

[@KEV12Moon]

The microphones are amazing on this thing.

[@andrewmarcdavid]

Yup! Some of the best in the business.

[@heisenberg4649]

@the Intel version, If you have maybe got the issue that the screen is in the browser tiny flickering. Solution in my case, safe your the time and reinstall/install the drivers. I just reset the energy option. It takes me two days to figure it out 🤦🏻‍♂️. Sorry my english is not the best. Cheers from Germany

[@andrewmarcdavid]

Thanks for the info!

[@pd5156]

I'm dissapointed with this laptop. You know, Microsoft is a industry giant, they can do whatever they want (vide screen aspect ratio) and yet they'v made so many mistakes designing this product. Even consumer Lenovo laptops has 180 degrees hinges. No TB3 means no eGPU, glossy screen (I would like to have non touch matte option). No psychical shutter for camera. It is literaly a true windows MBP replacement. Overpriced and lacking of many features. I hope Surfacebook 3 going to be something amazing. Im still using my 9 years old thinkpad cus of that nonsense. P1 seems to be cool, but overheating problems are just big NO.

[@AA-flyguy]

Andrew --This was very helpful--I went back to view this video because I have a chance today to get the AMD 15in at a HUGE discount at Best Buy --Its helped--I'm getting it👌

[@sobhyibraim3439]

It’s a good comparison between both models. I feel Intel is better option, but since I am a master student and looking for good laptop for my master thesis ( especially from writing experience perspective), I am in different between Microsoft, ideapad, yoga laptops. Would you make a video for laptops for students? Or do you have any recommendations? .. thank you and appreciated a lot :))

[@andrewmarcdavid]

Good idea! I will do such a video stay tuned...

[@HowardKingJr]

solid review. Just finding you for the first time. pretty good!

[@andrewmarcdavid]

Thanks really appreciate it 👊

[@highendcheaptech9705]

The review was great. Those mics are something else beyond the normal laptop crap mics most of the others have.

[@phillipjames453]

I don't think it has a micro sd card slot. That's not a deal breaker but it would be nice to have that feature included.

[@MrKar18]

I have a question about screen cracking on non-alcantara versions. Did you face screen cracking? Or is it uncommon? There are lots of reports on that :(

[@andrewmarcdavid]

Not on my unit

[@MrKar18]

@@andrewmarcdavid COOL. I'm awaiting my unto today. Thanks.

[@safeburn]

Good review, is surface pen works with surface laptop 3?

[@andrewmarcdavid]

Yes

[@shahelak7661]

I have a 13 inch and the screen is just phenomenal! I sometimes just stop to stare at it.

[@Samuelsosap]

Wish they would have added at least 2 USB ports and a couple USB C chargers... Then I would have considered upgrading. I also wish they would make the battery removable and make the repairability better; pretty much becomes electronic waste if anything fails on it. Really no need to upgrade at this point; have the juiced dongle for surface laptop 2.

[@zorigttumurbaatar2112]

The only issue is screen crack, is there any solution?

[@MrWhiterunGuard]

Doesn't the Surface line have pseudo HDR similar to MacBook Pros and iPad Pro? IDK what it's called but its part of the display option.

[@ashs3380]

PixelSense

[@sarfrazqasim]

I guess iFixit link is missing in the description btw great review as always.

[@andrewmarcdavid]

It is there now. Thanks

[@vipinnair1991]

Doesn't SL 3 have HDR enabled screen? My SL 2 has it. Weird.

[@JohnDoe-fs6lz]

I have this laptop. I should had just bought the foldable tablet with the wireless key board. 1200 dollar laptop. Sitting on my desk collecting dust 🤦🏻‍♂️ . Impulse buyer , especially with the 0 down Microsoft financing

[@codynpatterson]

Seems like an unfair and unbalanced review considering you're comparing a Ryzen 5 with Vega 7 (low end 15" model) with the Intel i7 and Iris Plus (Intel's high end 15" model).

[@andrewmarcdavid]

I am sure you can do it better

[@codynpatterson]

@@andrewmarcdavid no, your review itself was great! I’m just saying comparing the two and saying go for Intel without even comparing the actual competing product to that model is unfair...

[@andrewmarcdavid]

@@codynpatterson thanks

[@papagen00]

On the 15-inch I expect a numeric keypad. HP Spectre 15-inch is much better value.

[@lenkkraftverstaerker]

yeah me too. still the Surface has the better display. HP Envybook 1040 G5 is supposedly better than the consumer product Spectre.

[@timcarrilee]

I personally love the surface laptop. I am planing to get the 15in soon!

[@kenshook]

Don't, the screen cracks mysteriously.

[@huiwu8658]

If its display is as good as surface book 2 , that will be perfect for me

[@idle_facts]

Is it any good for coding?

[@damirkranjcevic5886]

Built-in Mics are very good

[@imani6441]

I had the 13 inch, I returned it because of the really bad battery life. If it weren’t for that I would have returned it for the 15 inch because I really loved it smh.

[@imani6441]

C7 I would have to plug it in like every 2-3 hours.

[@cypher9000]

That's a cool knife!

[@maenrababah1889]

The built in mics are incredible but i think the camera can be better

[@_noahrh]

HOW could anyone approve that insanely high level of reflection on this laptop? I just don't get it. How long have companies been making laptops? 10 years, 25 years? What in their consumer research told them we were demanding more reflective and glossy screens? I just don't get how companies in general, not just electronics, don't build on the improvements made and avoid errors from previous models of other companies products. The insanely glossy display speaks to the incompetence of their design team and is the sole reason I'm not interested in this laptop.

[@06colkurtz]

Noah Hughes I use one daily reflection is not an issue for me. I just bought my third unit

[@lenkkraftverstaerker]

I currently have the Surfae Laptop 2 and it really isn't that bad. And who uses a laptop in the sunlight anyway, to heat it up even more? You should consider matt surfaces come at a price - the picture might get corny. It's an additional process or layer. In opposition, good quality glossy displays can provide a very clear picture.

[@hayleylimhuijing6674]

what colour is this model of labtop? platinum metal?

[@andrewmarcdavid]

Platinum

[@anirdbify]

That screen looks way too glossy.

[@mrxwalker4479]

you compare a ryzen 5 with a intel 7 lol. That is not fair

[@codynpatterson]

exactly