New Surface Go 3 with LTE Model Launches at $499

Microsoft’s Surface Go 3 with LTE tablet is getting more affordable with a new model available for $499. Microsoft seems to have quietly launched this cheaper model spotted by Windows Central, which is only $100 more expensive than the base WiFi-only Surface Go 3.

This new $499 Surface Go 3 tablet with LTE shares the same Intel Pentium 6500Y processor, 4GB of RAM, and 64GB of eMMC storage as the WiFi-only base Surface Go 3. Previously, the only way to get LTE on the Surface Go 3 was to spend $729 on the high-end model with an Intel Core i3 CPU, 8GB of RAM, and a 128GB SSD. For a limited time, Microsoft is currently offering a $50 discount on this high-end model.

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The Surface Go 3 remains Microsoft’s most affordable Surface tablet, and it ships with Windows 11 in S Mode. The dual-core CPU and slow eMMC storage on the base models are definitely not the fastest options on the market, but there doesn’t seem to be another Windows 11 tablet with decent built quality and LTE at this price range.

If you’re looking for a more powerful Surface tablet with LTE, the Surface Pro 8 with LTE starts at $1,349.99, though it’s only available for business customers. The Qualcomm-powered Surface Pro X has also offers LTE and starts at $999.99, though Windows on ARM still provides a slightly compromised experience.

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Conversation 9 comments

  • thalter

    Premium Member
    18 March, 2022 - 10:45 am

    <p>Unless you have to have Windows, I see no reason anyone should buy one of these entry-level Surface Go tablets. A similarly priced iPad with an A13 processor will run circles around the Pentium processor in the Go 3. </p>

    • RobertJasiek

      18 March, 2022 - 12:28 pm

      <p>I extraordinarily prefer Windows but still use an iPad Mini 4. As its battery has become weak, I have been considering my options with the following disadvantages:</p><p><br></p><p>iPad Mini 4 battery replacement:</p><ul><li>Apple severely punishes me for rejecting the iCloud terms.</li><li>€120 for a battery <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">replacement is outrageous.</span></li></ul><p><br></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">iPad Air 5:</span></p><ul><li>iCloud terms as before.</li><li>Camera bump.</li><li>Display ratio 1.44 is larger than 1.33 of the Mini 4.</li><li>Difficult battery replacement.</li></ul><p><br></p><p>HP 11 Tablet:</p><ul><li>Unavailable in Germany.</li><li>Information still very incomplete. Battery duration?</li><li>Apparently mirroring display.</li><li>Camera bump on the back unless used with stand.</li></ul><p><br></p><p>Surface Go 3 (or similarly 2):</p><ul><li>4 to 8 GB RAM upselling.</li><li>Windows 11 Home S to Pro upselling.</li><li>Short battery life according to realistic tests.</li><li>Mirroring display.</li><li>Difficult battery replacement.</li><li>Thicker than an iPad.</li></ul><p><br></p><p>Surface Pro:</p><ul><li>About as before.</li><li>Heavy for handholding.</li></ul><p><br></p><p>Other Windows tablets with 4:3 to 3:2 display:</p><ul><li>Currently non-existent, rubbish or too heavy or too mirroring display.</li></ul><p><br></p><p>While Apple makes it a pain to continue using the iPad, Microsoft makes purchasing a Surface Go 3 unattractive due to greed and partial incompetence (reflectance and insufficient battery duration). Therefore, I delay my decision until some manufacturer becomes more reasonable or my battery literally dies.</p>

      • digiguy

        Premium Member
        18 March, 2022 - 2:27 pm

        <p>iPad mini 4 is extremely slow on iPadOS 15. I don’t know which OS version you are on, but if you have the battery service you’ll be on the latest one. Air 5 is just night and day, and why battery replacement should be any harder? And why not an iPad 9?</p>

        • RobertJasiek

          18 March, 2022 - 4:39 pm

          <p>Yes, slow. iPad 9 has no reduced reflectance, which is essential for me.</p>

  • fanchettes

    18 March, 2022 - 3:36 pm

    <p>I’m curious who the audience is for this device. Does anyone use the low end Go3 as their daily and is it really as bad as they say?</p>

    • peterh_oz

      21 March, 2022 - 9:13 am

      <p>I still use the original Surface 3, the professor to the Go. I bought the top end model when it first came out. I did not get the keyboard or the mouse.</p><p>It is not my daily driver, but it is very good for browsing in bed, and for travelling. Battery life is pretty crap now, and the power cord loves to not connect properly, but considering I’ve had it since around 2015 I can’t complain. In fact I’m using it to write this now.</p><p>MY point is that as a portable, secondary device, it is great. Asking about it as a main device is probably missing the point.</p>

  • jeffrye

    18 March, 2022 - 6:44 pm

    <p>I’ve been a Microsoft fan for a long time but, a few years ago, I decided to finally replace my Surface RT (yes – I had one). I don’t have a big tech budget so the prices were disappointing. On a whim, I checked out the iPad. I ended up getting the base model with a keyboard with the idea that I’d return it if I didn’t like it. It’s a gen 6 and I’m still using it. As a portable device for light usage (taking notes, reading news, etc.) it is just amazing. </p>

    • jeffrye

      18 March, 2022 - 6:45 pm

      <p>What I mean is that I was looking at the Surface GO but the iPad was both cheaper and better. A big surprise for an Apple product.</p>

  • Davinia

    20 March, 2022 - 6:55 am

    <p>I have a Ipad mini, the last but one generation. With the recent update to to a new version of IOS, I will try and the keyboard and mouse from my Imac. Would be great if I could work with Word like this. I like Windows also but, as I already have an ipad, buying into a surface go doesn’t make sense to me now. Although I do like the product</p>

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