As our review shows, there isn’t much new on the outside of the Surface Pro 9. However, inside there is evidence that Microsoft has done a lot of work to make the device more repairable, as shown in the iFixit teardown.
iFixit has been consulting with Microsoft’s hardware departments for some time now, offering tips on how to make devices more maintainable. As proof of this, Microsoft says in a statement that it will:
- Make Repair Guides for Surface Pro 9 Components Available by the End of the Year
- Work with a “major US retailer”to establish an authorized (in-store) repair network by early 2023.
- Offer parts to individuals and repair shops by the first half of 2023.
All of these factors improve maintainability both in practice and in iFixit (as well as French, European and possibly other countries) repair ratings.
However, editorial teardowns of iFixit are conducted independently. As the team dug around, they found that the glass display now has some flexibility, making it harder to break when you pry the (now softer) adhesive underneath. When the screen is off, you have access to all modular components: motherboard, thermal module, Surface Connect port, speakers, Wi-Fi, front and rear cameras, and side buttons.
In particular, the battery is now screwed on instead of glued. This makes the most common and predictable device repairs “just plain easy,” iFixit claims.
The RAM is soldered to the motherboard, something iFixit has usually punished for in the past. But iFixit says that given the power savings and performance boost due to proximity to the CPU, this solution can’t be a punishment.
To sum it all up, iFixit gives the Surface Pro 9 a 7 out of 10. That’s a notable jump from previous Surface models like the Pro 7 which scored 1 out of 10. But the Surface Pro 9’s score is likely to go up a notch or two if Microsoft makes good on its promises to release manuals and replacement parts for anyone who wants to buy them next year.