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Microsoft Surface Go 3 (microsoft-surface-go-3)

From postmarketOS Wiki
This device has been tested with postmarketOS, but its device package has not yet been added to the postmarketOS repositories.
This means that it cannot be selected in pmbootstrap.
Status: will work with generic x86_64 rom, no device-specific patches upstreamed yet
Microsoft Surface Go 3
Manufacturer Microsoft
Name Surface Go 3
Codename surface-go-3
Model Surface_Go_3_1901 (Consumer), Surface_Go_3_2022 (LTE), Surface_Go_3_1926 (Commercial)
Released 2021
Type detachable
Hardware
CPU Intel Pentium Gold 6500Y
Core i3 10100Y
GPU Intel UHD Graphics 615
Display 1920 x 1080 LCD
Storage 64GB eMMC, 128/256GB NVMe
Memory 4/8GB
Architecture x86_64
Software
Original software Windows Home
Original version
The version the device was shipped with.
11 (S Mode)
postmarketOS
Category testing
Pre-built images
Whether pre-built images are available at postmarketos.org/download.
no
Mainline
Instead of a Linux kernel fork, it is possible to run (Close to) Mainline.
yes
postmarketOS kernel 6.12.2
Unixbench Whetstone/Dhrystone score 3144.8
Features
Flashing
It is possible to flash the device with pmbootstrap flasher.
Broken
USB Networking
After connecting the device with USB to your PC, you can connect to it via telnet (initramfs) or SSH (booted system).
Untested
Internal storage
eMMC, SD cards, UFS, ...
Works
SD card
Also includes other external storage cards
Partial
Battery
Charging and battery level reporting works
Works
Screen
Display works. Ideally with sleep mode and brightness control.
Works
Touchscreen
Works
Keyboard
Build in physical keyboard
Works
Touchpad
Build in Touchpad
Partial
Stylus
Works
Multimedia
3D Acceleration
Works
Audio
Audio playback, microphone, headset and buttons.
Works
Camera
Broken
Camera Flash
Untested
Connectivity
WiFi
Works
Bluetooth
Works
Ethernet
Works
Modem
Calls
Untested
SMS
Untested
Mobile data
Untested
Miscellaneous
FDE
Full disk encryption and unlocking with unl0kr.
Partial
USB-A
Full-sized USB-A port works (Usually applicable to SBCs and laptops).
Works
USB OTG
USB On-The-Go or USB-C Role switching
Works
HDMI/DP
Video and audio output with HDMI or Display Port works.
Works
Sensors
Accelerometer
Auto screen rotation works in desktops e.g. Phosh or Plasma Mobile
Works
Ambient Light
Works
Hall Effect
Also known as flip cover sensor
Works

Surface Go 3 is well supported by mainline linux and works well with postmarketOS out of the box.


Working: See feature matrix.

  • Stylus: Surface pen & eraser works with pressure sensitivity. Side button is mapped as right click. Pair over Bluetooth (on Surface Pen press the eraser button for 5 sec.) to get battery status & eraser button (single press: Meta+F20, double press: Meta+F19, long press: Meta+F18).
  • USB-C: PD, Display out works.
  • Type Cover: lid close/fold-over sensors work. See also the touchpad section.

Partially Working:

  • Touchscreen: doesn't work on unl0kr, otherwise fine (marked as Partial on FDE instead of touch, FDE is otherwise functional).
  • Touchpad: especially on first boot, sometimes gesture & multitouch does not work. removing/reconnecting the Type Cover fixes this.
  • Micro SD slot: performing eject seems to work but the OS does not recognise this. otherwise works fine.

Not working:

Not tested:

  • LTE Modem (see this guide for more info)
  • Surface Connector peripherals (charger works)
  • USB Networking (most likely works)

Contributors

Users owning this device


How to enter flash mode

You can boot from external media (USB-C only, not mSD) by pressing Volume Down + Power while powered off.

Installation

Follow the instructions in Microsoft Surfaces with x64 CPU (microsoft-x64surface)#Installation.

See also