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Microsoft Surface Book 3

Display:

Processor:

Graphics:

Memory:

Storage:

Cosmetic Condition:

Functionality:

Charger Included?

The Microsoft Surface Book 3 arrived in 2020 as the third generation of Microsoft's detachable 2-in-1: a laptop whose entire screen unclips from the keyboard base to work as a standalone Windows tablet, while the base itself can hold a discrete NVIDIA GPU and a second battery. It was built for photographers, engineers, architects, and students who wanted Surface Pen input and real graphics power in one machine, not just a touchscreen. Microsoft sold it in 13.5-inch and 15-inch sizes with 10th Gen Intel Core i5 or i7 processors. No Surface Book 4 followed, which makes the line effectively discontinued and keeps well-kept units in steady demand from buyers who specifically want that detachable dGPU design. Pick your screen size, processor, graphics, memory, and storage above for a live cash offer, adjusted to the condition of your unit. See how the process works at how it works, or head straight to sell your laptop if you already know you're ready to part with it.

Confirm you have the Surface Book 3

The fastest way to confirm your exact configuration is Windows itself. Press Windows key + R, type msinfo32, and press Enter. Under System Summary, "System Model" will read "Surface Book 3," and the processor line will show either an i5 or i7 designation. You can also check Settings → System → About, which lists installed RAM and the device name. The serial sticker under the keyboard base, near the hinge, is a second confirmation point.

13.5-inch model

  • 3000 x 2000 PixelSense display
  • Integrated graphics or NVIDIA GTX 1650
  • Lighter of the two sizes

15-inch model

  • 3240 x 2160 PixelSense display
  • NVIDIA GTX 1660 Ti available
  • Larger base with more battery capacity

Prefer a visual check? Look for the two-tone "dynamic fulcrum" hinge and the small tablet-release key next to the backspace key. The tablet half is noticeably thicker at the top edge, where the battery and, on GPU configs, the graphics card sit.

Core hardware configurations

Processor

  • 10th Gen Intel Core i5
  • 10th Gen Intel Core i7

Graphics

  • Integrated Intel graphics
  • NVIDIA GTX 1650 (13.5-inch)
  • NVIDIA GTX 1660 Ti (15-inch)

Memory

  • 8GB, 16GB, or 32GB LPDDR4x
  • Soldered to the board, not upgradable

Storage

  • 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB NVMe SSD
  • Sits on a removable module, but swapping it is not a user-supported procedure

An i7 with a discrete GPU and 1TB of storage is the configuration buyers chase hardest, since it is the one that actually uses the detachable design for graphics-heavy work rather than just portability.

Display & audio

Display

PixelSense touchscreen at 3000 x 2000 on the 13.5-inch or 3240 x 2160 on the 15-inch, both in a 3:2 aspect ratio with 10-point multi-touch. Surface Pen is supported but sold separately.

Audio

Stereo speakers tuned for Dolby Audio Premium, paired with dual far-field Studio Mics built into the tablet portion of the display.

Cameras & security

A front-facing IR camera powers Windows Hello face sign-in. A rear-facing autofocus camera handles stills and 1080p video. There is no fingerprint reader.

Ports & connectivity

Most of the ports live on the keyboard base, which also means they go dark whenever the tablet is detached and running on its own battery.

Wired
  • 1x USB-C (USB 3.1 Gen 2)
  • 2x USB-A (USB 3.1 Gen 1)
  • Full-size SDXC card reader
  • 3.5mm headphone jack
  • 2x Surface Connect (base and tablet)
Wireless
  • Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)
  • Bluetooth 5.0

Detachable PixelSense display Surface Pen support Dynamic fulcrum hinge Discrete NVIDIA graphics Windows Hello face sign-in Full-size SD card reader Standalone tablet mode

Battery, build & more

Battery

Battery capacity is split between the tablet and the base, so runtime drops noticeably once you detach the screen. The 15-inch, with its larger base, holds a charge longer than the 13.5-inch overall.

Dimensions & weight

The 15-inch is heavier and thicker than the 13.5-inch, largely because of the bigger battery and the GTX 1660 Ti option in its base.

Finishes

Sold in a single Platinum finish with an aluminum chassis on both the tablet and the base.

Software

Shipped with Windows 10 and is eligible for Windows 11 thanks to its onboard TPM chip and 10th Gen processor.

Known issues

Some owners report firmware quirks around detaching and reattaching the tablet, usually resolved by keeping Windows Update current. Microsoft has not released a successor, so this is the last Surface Book generation.

Frequently asked questions

01 How do I find the model number and exact configuration?
Run msinfo32 from the Run dialog (Windows key + R) and check "System Model" and the processor line, or open Settings → System → About for RAM and device name. The serial sticker under the keyboard base near the hinge backs up what you see on screen. If you have the original box, it also lists the SKU with processor, graphics, and storage tier printed on the side.
02 How do I tell it apart from the Surface Book 2?
Check System Information the same way: "System Model" will say Surface Book 2 or Surface Book 3 explicitly, which settles it immediately. If you can't boot it, the GPU tells you a lot — the Book 2 tops out at a GTX 1050 or 1060, while the Book 3 offers a GTX 1650 or 1660 Ti. The Book 3 also carries Wi-Fi 6, where the Book 2 has the older Wi-Fi 5 standard.
03 Can I sell it with damage, a weak battery, or if it won't turn on?
Yes. A cracked screen, a battery that doesn't hold a charge, a hinge that won't detach cleanly, or a unit that won't power on can all still be quoted — select the matching condition above and the offer adjusts for it. Before shipping, you do need to sign out of your Microsoft account and remove the device from your Microsoft account online, and suspend BitLocker if it's enabled, since a locked or encrypted drive can't be tested or wiped.
04 What raises the trade-in value the most?
Configuration and completeness matter most. An i7 processor, a discrete GPU, more RAM, and a 1TB drive all push the offer higher than the base i5 with integrated graphics and 256GB. Including the original Surface Connect charger, and confirming the tablet detaches and reattaches without error, also helps, since a base that won't release the screen is treated as a functional fault rather than cosmetic wear.
05 How do I erase it, remove my accounts, and get paid?
Go to Settings → System → Recovery → Reset this PC → Remove everything, and let it run through fully. Before that, sign out of your Microsoft account and go to account.microsoft.com to remove the device from your account list, and turn off or suspend BitLocker if it's active so the reset isn't blocked. Once your quote is confirmed, shipping is free and insured, and payment goes out after testing via PayPal, Venmo, Zelle, CashApp, or check. Full steps, including how to check that the reset actually completed, are in our data erasure protocols.