**The Surface Book 3: A Compelling Device with Its Limitations**

In this review, we will delve into the details of the Surface Book 3, a powerful device that offers a unique blend of portability and performance. With its Intel Core i7-1065G7 processor, the Surface Book 3 is capable of handling demanding tasks such as video editing, photo editing, and multitasking with ease. However, as we will explore in this article, there are also some significant limitations to this device that may make it less appealing to certain users.

**Performance: A Mixed Bag**

In terms of performance, the Surface Book 3 is a solid choice for general use, such as browsing the web, checking email, and working with office software. The Intel Core i7-1065G7 processor provides more than enough power to handle these tasks, making it an excellent option for those who need a reliable and efficient laptop. However, when it comes to more demanding tasks, such as video rendering, image editing, or simulations, the Surface Book 3 struggles to keep up.

During our testing, we found that the device's performance dropped significantly when running multiple resource-intensive applications simultaneously. The temperatures also rose to high levels, with core clocks dipping below three gigahertz during intense loads. While this may not be a significant issue for casual users, it is a concern for those who require more power and flexibility in their laptop.

**The Limitations of the Surface Book 3**

There are several limitations to the Surface Book 3 that may make it less appealing to certain users. One of the main concerns is its lack of a Quadro GPU, which is a significant limitation for professionals who require high-end graphics processing power. Additionally, the device's tablet functionality, while convenient, can be a double-edged sword. While some users appreciate the flexibility and portability that comes with it, others may find it unnecessary or even distracting.

Another issue we encountered was the lack of serviceability on this machine. Microsoft has taken steps to address this concern by making it more difficult for users to upgrade their RAM and replace other components. This can be a significant drawback for those who value flexibility and customizability in their laptop.

**Thunderbolt 3: A Security Concern**

The Surface Book 3 also lacks Thunderbolt 3, which is a feature that many users would expect to see on a high-end device like this one. According to Microsoft, the lack of Thunderbolt 3 is due to security concerns related to its direct access to memory. This is understandable, as memory security is an important consideration in today's digital landscape. However, for users who rely on Thunderbolt 3 for data transfer and connectivity, this limitation may be a significant drawback.

**The Price: A Premium That May Be Unjustifiable**

One of the most significant drawbacks of the Surface Book 3 is its price. The base model starts at around $1,700, with the 13-and-a-half-inch model rising to over $2,000 in our fully equipped configuration. This makes it a very expensive device, especially when compared to other high-end laptops on the market.

However, for users who require the unique blend of portability and performance that the Surface Book 3 offers, this price may be justified. In particular, those who need both good pen support and the muscle for real professional applications will find that the Surface Book 3 is their only option.

**Conclusion**

In conclusion, the Surface Book 3 is a compelling device that offers a unique blend of portability and performance. However, its limitations in terms of performance, serviceability, and connectivity may make it less appealing to certain users. For those who require the tablet functionality and are willing to pay a premium for it, the Surface Book 3 may be an excellent choice. However, for those on a budget or who prioritize performance over portability, there may be other options available.

**Ting: A Mobile Phone Service that Does Things Differently**

In this section, we will explore Ting, a mobile phone service provider that offers a unique approach to wireless communication. Unlike traditional carriers, Ting provides no contracts, no overage fees, and no carrier tricks. Instead, users pay a fair price for the talk, text, and data they use each month, with complete control over their account.

Ting's network is built on top of T-Mobile Sprint and Verizon, providing nationwide LTE coverage from coast to coast. Almost any phone will work with Ting, making it an excellent option for those who have an older device or are looking to upgrade to a new one. To get started, users simply visit the Ting website and check their phone's compatibility.

As a special offer, Ting is offering $25 credit when you sign up for service, making it an excellent value for anyone looking for a reliable and flexible mobile phone plan. With its unique approach to wireless communication, Ting is definitely worth considering for those who want to switch from their traditional carrier.

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: en- This is Harold.- Hello,- Harold has ahard time making decisions.- I wasn't sure, so I boughteverything lttstore.com.- That's whyHarold got the Surface Book 3.- It's a laptop, it's a tabletand it's as powerful as a desktop.- Well, yes, but actually, no.The Surface Book has been promisingto be the do everything device since 2015.But the core of the designhasn't been updated since,well, 2015 and I'm just not sureif it still holds up five years later.What do you think youare Microsoft, Intel?And who do you think you are, Ting?Oh, yeah, our sponsor,why pay for things youdon't need or even use?Ting wants to help you savemoney by getting you to payfor the mobile data thatyou use and only that.Check it out at the linkbelow to learn more.(upbeat music)In 2015 I call this the firsttruly premium Windows machine,and it does have a lot still going for it.The feel of the device is exceptional,and despite it's all metal,not to mention rigid chassis,its somehow feels soft to the touch.The problem is that thebezels, trackpad size,and the overall design haven't aged wellcompared to the MacBook Pro16 or the new Dell XPS 15.Of course, that ignoresthe Surface Book 3sclassic party trick that never gets old.In theory, this is it,the best of both worlds.Need to quickly go and take some notes,grab the tablet and the penwhich are just so delightfullymagnetically attachedto the side and you're good to go.Need more power?Well, additional battery capacity,bring it up to nearly 12 anda half hours in our testsand a dedicated graphics cardare stored in the base alongwith what we described as fairly decent IOThe dual USB Taipei's are welcome,although we do wish theywould have done somethingabout the incredibly poorlypositioned headphone jack.One notable IO improvement though isthat the surface dock accessorynow supports dual 4k 60 Hz displaysif you don't mind shelling out for that.Back to the tablet releasing, though,honestly, on the previous models,I didn't find it very usefulbecause I'm an impatient kind of person.For the tablet mode to be useful for me,the detach needs to be quickerthan just unplugging thepower mouse and displaythat I have connected tothe Surface Book at my desk,and this is finally the case.On the 13 and a half inch model,the tablet releases twice as fastand on the 15 inch, itreleases three times faster.Maybe more importantly, though,it does so consistently.Previously, you'd haveto close down any appsthat were using the dedicated GPU,whereas now apps areautomatically switched overto the integrated GPU withoutyou having to think about it,for the most part, it's pretty slick.To really put the SurfaceBook 3 versatilityto the test though,we came up with an idea.Alex, our laptop reviews editor,recently had an unfortunatefailure in his desktopand it's actually broken right now.So why don't you try replacingit with this for a bit.For the first part of his job,writing the surface Book 3 is exceptional.Both Microsoft's Book andlaptop products are equippedwith the killer one-twopunch productivity comboof an incredible keyboard,and a three by two displaythat back in 2015, Microsoftworked the competition with.Since then, though,Dell and HP have reallyimproved their keyboardsand Apple has, well, they'vereally improved their keyboard.So the Surface Book isnow an A plus keyboardin a crowded field ofA or A plus keyboardsinstead of a clear winner.As for the display,the 3240 by 2160 resolutionmonitor is essentiallya 4K display with the sides chopped off,and I gotta say, itstill looks really sharp,and because it's alaptop and a tiny screen,I didn't miss the extra pixels at all.Now you are giving up the vivid colorsand the perfect blacks ofthe OLED display optionson some of its competitors,but you are gaining whatis still the best touchand pen input available on Windows.Like you can probably barely see it,but there's just a tiny bitof spring in the pen tipthat gives it a reallyclose to pen on paper feel,instead of pen on glass,like what you get from HP or Dell's pens.Another area thatMicrosoft has lost groundcompared to the competitionis the trackpad.When the Microsoftprecision touchpad driverswere first introducedon the Surface Pro 2,they were a statement.They said hey, hello guys.How have you still notmanaged to figure this out?Well, whatever, we didit for you, mic drop out.It was the first time we'veused a Windows touchpadthat was comparable to the precisionand feel of Apple's offerings.Since then, Microsoft's precision drivershave become available on somany more devices, though,that Microsoft no longer hasenhanced precision going for them.And despite having ample space to grow,the Surface Book still comeswith a tasty menu size trackpad,when I couldn't get thefull meal on the new XPS 15.Make sure that you'resubscribed by the way,we're gonna have a fullreview of that coming soon.While we're on the topic ofthings that Microsoft made,that was awesome just foreveryone else to do it better,Windows Hello facial recognition,it is awesome, I love it.And it returns to the SurfaceBook 3, right there baby.But it's also nowavailable on other devices,in a super slim module allowingfor much smaller bezels.Where Microsoft is leadingthe competition thoughis in the inclusion of a 1080p webcam.That means that on video calls,you will actually look like a personinstead of a smeary mess of pixels.Thank you Microsoftnow I have someone credible to point to,when I yell at other laptop manufacturersabout their crummy webcams.Really does look good, doesn't it?On two specs, the 13 and ahalf inch and 15 inch modelsget up to GTX 1650 and 1660Ti options respectively.Both are Max-Q variants,but that's still plenty ofroom for mid-tier gaming,as long as you turn the resolution down.The one we were reallycurious about though,is the new surface for business versionwith a Quadro RTX 3000.For professionals whose programsrequire the Quadro drivers,this one is a no brainer.And for those that also enjoy gaming,remember this is the sameTU106 Chip as the RTX 2070,just with reduced shaders and clocksto bring the TDP down to 80 watts.In our testing the GPU handleour typical SolidWorksmodels well and even managedour 8000 part LegoMillennium Falcon benchmark.Huge shout out to Ryan Colefor this ridiculous model by the way.The GPU also held up well in gaming,even if we can't say thesame about the display.This thing was clearlyoptimized for picture qualityand not for response time.Although as long asyou're a Cities: Skylines,or an O player, rather thana Rainbow Six Siege fanatic,you'll be fine.Otherwise, just please buy something else.And the CPU is, well,it's another problem.The fastest model that youcan get in the Surface Book 3,is the Intel Core i7-1065G7,and that's the same for core processoras the Surface Laptop 3.In most of our testing,the Book 3 was still very responsive.But as the competition is moving to six,and even eight core processors,the Surface Book 3 is left in the dust,if you plan on renderinglarge video projects,exploiting edited pictures,running simulations,or even just being carelesswith your multitaskingand your junk running in the background.There are just muchfaster machines out there,not to mention the thermals.During a blender render thetemps got into the high 90swith core clocks dippingbelow three gigahertz.In practice, the i7-1065G7 stillfeels more than fast enoughoutside of intense all core loads,but given that we don't needthe tablet functionalitythat badly, a more powerfulCPU makes our job easier.Even when connected to afive Gigabit Ethernet dongleand using GPU acceleration,the poor CPU of theSurface Book 3 struggledto playback red footage from our serverat one eighth resolution,that's a deal breaker for us,even if it has no applicabilityto you whatsoever.The other deal breaker forsome folks is going to bethe lack of serviceability on this machineand the lack of Thunderbolt 3.I sort of imagined thislarge overlap between peoplewho need a Quadro on their laptopand people who wouldcare about things likeserviceability and connectivity.But Microsoft did actually address,the lack of Thunderbolt 3 quite recently.Apparently it's due tosecurity concerns relatedto Thunderbolts direct access to memory,something that can cannot bepatched by software in any way.And they use the same logicto explain why the Ram can'tbe removed and upgraded.Fair enough, I guess.So for those of you whoare genuinely concernedthat someone is goingto open up your laptop,while it's still powered on,use liquid nitrogen to freeze the memory,and then use a specialreader to access the data.This is the laptop for you.For those of us who aren'tthe unfortunate scientistin Mission Impossible,I would rather just be ableto upgrade the memory onmy device down the lineand use Thunderbolt 3.Which brings us to thetoughest part of this review.Do I recommend the Surface Book 3?Most of this time hasbeen spent talking abouthow now five years later,the competition hascaught up to the Book 3,and clearly Microsoft needsto invest in a completeredesign in the coming years.But the 2020 Book 3 isstill a compelling devicefor the right user,someone or basically anyone,who needs the tablet functionbecause no one else isgonna pay that premium.The first, in our mindproperly equipped configfor this thing, for the 13and a half inch model actuallyis around 2000 US dollars,and our Quadro equip 15 inch,that weighs in at around 3400.That's a tough pill to swallow,but at the same time,what else you're gonna get an iPad Prowith the magic keyboard?For people who need both good pen supportand the muscle for realprofessional applications,the Surface Book 3 is justreally your only option,assuming you need a bit more portabilitythan the Acer ConceptD 7.For those that can live withoutthe tablet functionalityand want a couple more CPU coresand don't need a Quadro GPU,hey, again, maybe wait for the full reviewof the XPS 15 and 17before I'm pulling thetrigger on this guy.Speaking of pulling the trigger,I'm pulling the triggeron this Segway teamdoes mobile phone service differently.There's no contracts, no overagefees and no carrier tricks.You just pay a fairprice for the talk textand data that you use each month.It's especially great if you'restuck at home using Wi Fi,instead of your mobile data.Ting gives you completecontrol over your account.You can set alerts and capsfor each device on your accountto keep your usage in check,and they've got nationwide LTE coverageusing T-Mobile Sprint and Verizon.That means great networkcoverage from coast to coast.Almost any phone will work with Ting fromthat ancient Motorola Razrsitting in your basement,to the latest iPhone 11 series.So check your phonescompatibility at linus.ting.com,we're gonna have that down belowand get $25 credit when you sign up.If you guys enjoyed this videoand you're looking for something else,Alex says shoot the webcam section please,if you haven't already.I did Alex.I already showed on the webcam section.So maybe check out, Idon't know who cares.We want to cool the calculator.It's fun video, go watch it.(upbeat music)\n"