What you need to know
- Microsoft's Surface Pro 9 is dramatically easier to repair than previous models, according to iFixit.
- The 2-in-1 has a simple to remove SSD, a battery that is secured with screws rather than glue, and several other components that are easy to repair or replace.
- Microsoft promised that it would share repair guides for the Surface Pro 9 by the end of the year.
- The company will also start supplying parts for the Surface Pro 9 in early 2023.
Here is Microsoft's full statement to iFixit regarding the Surface Pro 9:
"At Microsoft we recognize the importance of enabling device repair and this was a major focus in developing Surface Pro 9. This includes intentional features in our products’ design, as well as availability of repair instructions and spare parts.
– Repairability features in the product design built upon the replaceable components of prior generations such as the Display, SSD, and Kickstand while building out a host of additional replaceable components such as the screwed in Battery, Motherboard, Thermal Module, Surface Connect port, and more (1)
– The Surface Pro 9 service guides which include full repair instructions will be available publicly for download by the end of this calendar year on the Microsoft Support site. See Microsoft Service Guides: Download Surface Service Guides from Official Microsoft Download Center.
– We are currently working with a major US retailer to build out our authorized repair network and bring repair options closer to our customers. This will become available in early 2023.
– We are also building out capability to deliver broad availability of spare parts for Independent repairers and Consumers targeting the first half of 2023."
The Surface Pro 9 earned a 7 out of 10, but that score will likely rise in the future. Microsoft promised to share repair manuals for the Surface Pro 9 by the end of 2022 and to start supplying parts in early 2023.
