Screenshot: Microsoft Surface / YouTube
When Microsoft launched its first Surface devices 10 years ago, comparisons to Apple products were quickly made, not only because of their minimalist aesthetics, but also because they couldn’t be repaired at home. For years these machines were so difficult to crack that trying to play blindfolded surgery was as dangerous.
We knew we didn’t even have to worry about replacing or replacing parts thanks to a third-party repair site i attach it, which methodically dismantles products into their individual parts and gives them a repairability rating. Microsoft scored ones and zeros for several years until it finally listened to enthusiastic customers and added an easily accessible SSD door to the Surface Laptop 3 (voided warranty) the surprising changes were welcomed.
Thanks now to Pressure from shareholders, Microsoft is taking another step to help users with DIY repairs on Surface products. The official YouTube Surface account today shared a teardown video of the Surface Laptop SE, a $ 250 budget laptop designed for elementary school students.
The 8-minute clip shows how easy it is to access the inside of the Surface SE with simple tools like a T6 Torx screwdriver and tweezers. In the end, any critical components that may need servicing are safely removed from the chassis.
Microsoft likely chose the Surface Laptop SE because it was specifically designed for schools where devices can be tossed around, covered with liquids, or filled with photos, videos, and / or boring online homework. The cost of repairing multiple laptops (or replacing the storage drive) after the warranty has expired is a financial burden schools can avoid by asking the tech lab instructor to perform these repairs instead. Or when they are old enough by giving students a modern (and more useful) version of the animal section.
Screenshot: Microsoft Surface / YouTube
Microsoft is still not ready to cover these repairs under warranty; The company recommends that you “seek professional help with equipment repairs and be careful with repairs that you do yourself.” This is a friendlier way of saying that if you break something in the process, the company will not be held liable and it will likely void your warranty.
Still, efforts to make repairs easier for end users are at odds with Apple’s war on that Right to movement repairwhose pressure eventually forced the company to leave customers do their own iPhone and Mac repairs.
Comments are closed.