Microsoft’s Latest Surface Laptop Finally Makes It Way Easier to Repair Than Before

When it comes to repairability, Microsoft’s Surface devices don’t have a good name. The company’s Surface Laptop and Surface Laptop 2, for example, were awarded 0 out of 10 for repairability.

And that was also the same case for some of Microsoft’s other devices, including the Surface Pro 6 and its predecessors. That’s changing now though, at least with the new Surface Laptop 3 line.

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iFixit took the Surface Laptop 3 (both the 13-inch and the 15-inch models) and tore it down to see if the repairability of Microsoft’s newest laptop is any better. And as Microsoft promised, the Surface Laptop 3 is actually much easier to repair (and upgrade) than before.

iFixit says the opening procedure is much more straightforward, and it’s easy to replace the SSD inside the device. The device has many modular components but the complex construction of all the circuit make it harder to service. It also has a glued-down battery that could be quite difficult to replace.

And that’s still much better than the first two Surface Laptops, with the Surface Laptop 3 getting a 5 out of 10 for repairability.

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Conversation 7 comments

  • brothernod

    Premium Member
    24 October, 2019 - 7:25 am

    <p>I saw some comments on reddit that said the new Surface Laptop feels cheaper as a result of the repairability and complained about keyboard flex in particular. Thoughts?</p>

    • reformedctrlz

      Premium Member
      24 October, 2019 - 9:58 am

      <blockquote><em><a href="#483153">In reply to brothernod:</a></em></blockquote><p>The iFixit article specifically mentions making these improvements without loosing quality so I'd say it's probably not a huge issue. Or someone is just ranting…</p>

    • Paul Thurrott

      Premium Member
      29 October, 2019 - 10:57 am

      <blockquote><em><a href="#483153">In reply to brothernod:</a></em></blockquote><p>That was not my impression at all.</p>

  • nbplopes

    25 October, 2019 - 4:54 am

    <p>From all the devices in the Surface line, the Surface Laptop is the one I believe that it’s the most well balanced considering it’s purpose.. No frills or gimmicks in its design.</p><p><br></p><p>Considering the company I still think it should have gone further for the sake of its users. Even MacBook Pro allow the SSD to be replaced, albeit by a trained technician … so this is just the keeping up with the leaders. </p><p><br></p><p>By going further I mean, allow not only the SSD to be replaced but also the RAM. Setting a a trend.</p><p><br></p><p>Its understandable that 8 or 10 years ago to achieve the thin and light form with maximum performance, these components needed to be “glued” in. Yet it</p><p>is expected that past this time tech has evolved to not to be the case.</p><p><br></p><p>In that respect Apple is no role model so stop following them. It is ridiculous that in certain models one can swap the SSD and in other one can swap the RAM. Never both up to Mac Pro.</p><p><br></p><p>Also Iits unexpected that larger Surface Laptop, the 15” model, not to have improved performance when compared with the 13” model.</p><p><br></p><p>I just don’t get way companies insist not doing the obvious for users and than add value on top.</p>

  • codymesh

    25 October, 2019 - 7:50 am

    <p>this is pretty awesome.</p>

  • mattijzz

    25 October, 2019 - 8:44 am

    <p>The battery is glued and is hard to replace… ummm such a shame. The one component I sure want to replace in its lifetime.</p>

  • maulik73

    28 October, 2019 - 11:29 am

    <p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">this is article awesome.</span></p>

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