4 ms·

The problem with Surface devices is that they're irrepairable once something goes wrong. I had issues with my Surface Pro and Microsoft support basically said "

The problem with Surface devices is that they're irrepairable once something goes wrong. I had issues with my Surface Pro and Microsoft support basically said "too bad, buy a new one". That's why I went for a T-series Thinkpad and am still using it. It's not as lightweight or slim but in exchange more powerful than equally priced ultrabooks/convertibles and easy to repair and upgrade. That's a trade-off I'm happy to make.

pcdoodle 7y ago
^ This. I hear the next version will be repairable but until then, it's not an option.
- rcarmo 7y ago
  The current version has an externally accessible SSD and other repair tweaks. Check the blog posts on it.
mkl 7y ago
Counterpoint: my two year old Surface Pro 4 developed a battery-swelling issue, and Microsoft replaced the whole laptop right away (well, as soon as I worked out how to contact the right level of tech-support).
- resonious 7y ago
  I think this example only solidifies gp's point. It sounded to me like they were talking about the ability to open up the laptop and actually repair it, which it seems even Microsoft can't do with their own machines. Full replacement from support is convenient, but what if I just want an extra 16GB of RAM?
  - mkl 7y ago
    They can do it with their own machines, as the replacement I got was a refurbished one (with a different model of battery installed). My original machine was irreparable as the battery expansion had damaged the screen and warped the metal of the case itself! I agree they're not serviceable by mere mortals, though, and many upgrades are impossible. I have a Thinkpad X201 Tablet from 2010, and it's easy to take it apart and replace/clean bits. There's a serious cost to that, though: the entire Surface Pro 4 tablet takes up only about the volume of the Thinkpad's screen. The Thinkpad as a whole is about three times that thickness. This is only partly an age thing - mostly it's serviceability design.
- jay_kyburz 7y ago
  My surface 3 battery swelled and it cracked the screen. Was out of warranty about a year so I never contacted them. I don't think I want to buy another one.
  - mkl 7y ago
    Mine was out of warranty, but they did it anyway. They seemed to have moved on to a different type of battery, as my refurbished Surface 4 replacement has better battery life than the original.
  - PopeDotNinja 7y ago
    Next time don't forget that if you buy with a credit card that likely gives you a warranty extension. Probably at least 12 months.
TeMPOraL 7y ago
How bad is it really? They do have to issue warranties at least in Europe, right? I'm thinking about shelling out for a Surface Pro 6, but I don't want to buy a potential cat in the bag. (We have some mandatory legal protections over at Poland/EU that apply to on-line sales, but I'm not sure if they apply if you buy a product as a business. Need to check up on that.)
- robocat 7y ago
  Guy at work broke the screen on Surface 3 (I think). Cost to fix was about 40% of price, and later the touchscreen stopped working properly in one corner. Another Surface Book and docking station had ongoing problems, which was very disappointing since dock was relatively expensive. Apparently a known problem with no fix. Overall, not very impressed with MS hardware for a variety of other reasons.

pcdoodle 7y ago

^ This. I hear the next version will be repairable but until then, it's not an option.

rcarmo 7y ago
The current version has an externally accessible SSD and other repair tweaks. Check the blog posts on it.

mkl 7y ago

Counterpoint: my two year old Surface Pro 4 developed a battery-swelling issue, and Microsoft replaced the whole laptop right away (well, as soon as I worked out how to contact the right level of tech-support).

resonious 7y ago
I think this example only solidifies gp's point. It sounded to me like they were talking about the ability to open up the laptop and actually repair it, which it seems even Microsoft can't do with their own machines. Full replacement from support is convenient, but what if I just want an extra 16GB of RAM?
- mkl 7y ago
  They can do it with their own machines, as the replacement I got was a refurbished one (with a different model of battery installed). My original machine was irreparable as the battery expansion had damaged the screen and warped the metal of the case itself! I agree they're not serviceable by mere mortals, though, and many upgrades are impossible. I have a Thinkpad X201 Tablet from 2010, and it's easy to take it apart and replace/clean bits. There's a serious cost to that, though: the entire Surface Pro 4 tablet takes up only about the volume of the Thinkpad's screen. The Thinkpad as a whole is about three times that thickness. This is only partly an age thing - mostly it's serviceability design.
jay_kyburz 7y ago
My surface 3 battery swelled and it cracked the screen. Was out of warranty about a year so I never contacted them. I don't think I want to buy another one.
- mkl 7y ago
  Mine was out of warranty, but they did it anyway. They seemed to have moved on to a different type of battery, as my refurbished Surface 4 replacement has better battery life than the original.
- PopeDotNinja 7y ago
  Next time don't forget that if you buy with a credit card that likely gives you a warranty extension. Probably at least 12 months.

TeMPOraL 7y ago

How bad is it really? They do have to issue warranties at least in Europe, right? I'm thinking about shelling out for a Surface Pro 6, but I don't want to buy a potential cat in the bag. (We have some mandatory legal protections over at Poland/EU that apply to on-line sales, but I'm not sure if they apply if you buy a product as a business. Need to check up on that.)

robocat 7y ago
Guy at work broke the screen on Surface 3 (I think). Cost to fix was about 40% of price, and later the touchscreen stopped working properly in one corner. Another Surface Book and docking station had ongoing problems, which was very disappointing since dock was relatively expensive. Apparently a known problem with no fix. Overall, not very impressed with MS hardware for a variety of other reasons.