Surface Copilot+ PCs the most repairable ever — iFixit praises Microsoft's change in philosophy
Microsoft goes from "worst of" to "best of" status in serviceability.
Microsoft’s new Surface Pro 10 and Surface Laptop 7 are shipping, and the folks at iFixit have already started examining the repairability of the devices. Surprisingly, the team has almost nothing but praise for how Microsoft enables technicians to service the latest Surface tablet and laptop.
Releasing its typical walkthrough of disassembling both devices on YouTube, Shahram Mokhtari from the iFixit crew goes through the process of removing just about every component to demonstrate how easily someone could repair their new Surface device at home. In the end, iFixit gives both the Surface Pro 11 and the Surface Laptop 7 a repairability rating of 8 out of 10, almost the highest possible score.
Once you get into the case of either device, you can see several labels and QR codes with wrench symbols above them. Microsoft calls them “Wayfinder Markings,” and they detail how many and what kind of screws are used to secure components, making it easy to know exactly which Torx driver bit to reach for. Not only that, but the QR codes take you straight to Microsoft’s download page for the official service guides.
Yes, Microsoft has already published the service guides for both the Surface Pro 11 and Surface Laptop 7. As Mokhtari demonstrates, common tasks like removing the battery and SSD are relatively simple tasks on both tablet and laptop.
In the case of the laptop, battery removal can be accomplished without removing anything else from the computer other than the bottom feet and back cover. Previous Surface Laptop models buried the battery, making it necessary to remove several components just to replace the only consumable part inside the case.
The video proceeds to remove every component from the laptop, down to and including the motherboard. While replacing the SSD is easy, Mokhtari points out that the memory is soldered to the motherboard and is, therefore, not easily user-replaceable.
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The Surface Pro 11 is also easy to work on. Mokhtari shows that the SSD can be replaced without disassembling the tablet. Tearing down the tablet for battery replacement or other repairs is slightly more involved than working on the laptop. The adhesive securing the screen could cause some frustration for a PC DIY enthusiast replacing the battery. That said, iFixit says the display removal is easy compared to other tablets.
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Microsoft has taken great pains to make the tablet and laptop easier to repair. In the video, Mokhtari notes that when it comes to serviceability and modularity, “the Surface laptop line of devices started as some of the worst devices we’ve ever seen.” This new generation of devices shows that Microsoft is embracing the consumers’ right to repair by not only providing helpful labels and information inside the case but by publishing the service guides for them on launch day.
Jeff Butts has been covering tech news for more than a decade, and his IT experience predates the internet. Yes, he remembers when 9600 baud was “fast.” He especially enjoys covering DIY and Maker topics, along with anything on the bleeding edge of technology.
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vijosef This is a wise and praiseworthy choice, that deserves acknowledgment, but still has some flaws:Reply
The model’s name is written at the bottom, where it wears away, making it impossible to identify the exact model after some time.
To access the screws, it is necessary to remove the rubber feet, which never stick well back on and will fall off and get lost over time.
Opening the enclosure requires a plastic nail, which always ends up breaking something.
No upgradeable memory. I know that soldered is faster and consume less energy, but it should have free memory slots anyway.
It lacks free expansion slots for more ssd and any other stuff.
It is still a hassle to access upgradeable items like the SSD. Bring back direct access and replaceable batteries, even if it requires thicker laptops. -
Notton Reply
The M.2 NVMe is limited to 2230, so soldered memory would be the least of my worries.Alvar Miles Udell said:Soldered memory, the ultimate way to charge 4x the price of memory...
Microsoft, thanks for copying Framework. We need more of this style of repairability. -
HideOut yes, but it does mean faster memory. As the New version of CAMM memory expands that'll help hopefully thoughReply -
Alvar "Miles" Udell ReplyNotton said:The M.2 NVMe is limited to 2230, so soldered memory would be the least of my worries.
Microsoft, thanks for copying Framework. We need more of this style of repairability.
Drive space shouldn't be much of a worry as long as you get a 512GB drive. Between USB drives and cloud/personal cloud storage that's plenty. The problem is from 16 to 32GB RAM is $400 and from 32GB to 64GB is -another- $400, so you can't just get the cheap 16GB version now and upgrade later for cheap. -
Notton Reply
We'll have to wait and see if any of the copilot+ features benefits from 32GB or 64GB of RAM, but 16GB is more than enough for Win11.Alvar Miles Udell said:Drive space shouldn't be much of a worry as long as you get a 512GB drive. Between USB drives and cloud/personal cloud storage that's plenty. The problem is from 16 to 32GB RAM is $400 and from 32GB to 64GB is -another- $400, so you can't just get the cheap 16GB version now and upgrade later for cheap.
Drive space is a concern with 2230 drives, as they have poor TBW endurance compared to 2280 drives. It's a needless handicap for a device that had the physical space to use the larger size. -
Alvar "Miles" Udell ReplyNotton said:We'll have to wait and see if any of the copilot+ features benefits from 32GB or 64GB of RAM, but 16GB is more than enough for Win11.
Drive space is a concern with 2230 drives, as they have poor TBW endurance compared to 2280 drives. It's a needless handicap for a device that had the physical space to use the larger size.
16GB is the -minimum- for Windows 11 to work smoothly without really anything open. I have 16GB used and the only main thing I have open is Outloook and Edge. Tack on something like Office or a game and it goes 24+ easy. To me 32GB is what people should be looking at as a true minimum in 2024. -
PiersPlowman Reply
Unless you have scores of tabs open, there is something wrong with your system. An 8 GiB system can handle Outlook, a dozen Edge tabs, and Word on the go no problemo. Even on my 48GiB system, where W11 can stretch its wings, I have never seen that kind of RAM usage for everyday tasks. Only DaVinci Resolve really soaks up all the memory it can.Alvar Miles Udell said:16GB is the -minimum- for Windows 11 to work smoothly without really anything open. I have 16GB used and the only main thing I have open is Outloook and Edge. Tack on something like Office or a game and it goes 24+ easy. To me 32GB is what people should be looking at as a true minimum in 2024.