Researchers blast Surface tablet for low repairability

Microsoft has implemented hardware design methods which could make its Surface tablet difficult to repair.

Do-it-yourself repair site iFixit said that the Microsoft tablet contains a number of components which are either glued or fused into its casing, making home maintenance difficult for users in many cases.

The site rated the Microsoft tablet a four out of a possible 10 points in its fixability index, a relatively low grade. The researchers noted a number of design issues which can make the Surface tablet difficult open and components all but impossible to access.

Chief among iFixit's concerns were Redmond's use of a fused LCD and glass display panel which is glued into the Surface's casing. Removal of the display is extremely difficult and required "a heat gun, some guitar picks, and plenty of patience", the researchers said.

The teardown report also noted that the Surface's design meant it was impossible to remove the keyboard connector without first taking out the display, or bending the frame.

The report did note a number of "modular" components in the Surface which were not difficult to replace, including the tablet's internal battery battery pack.

Microsoft is far from the only hardware vendor to face criticism from iFixit over the difficulty of repairing its products. Apple has at times received far lower repairability grades for its products, including a MacBook Pro model researchers condemned as "unfixable" by third parties and home users.

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• Topics
• Tablets
• Microsoft
• Surface