Your Microsoft Surface device could break within two years, according to Consumer Reports
Aug 11, 2017
Dunja Đuđić
Dunja Djudjic is a multi-talented artist based in Novi Sad, Serbia. With 15 years of experience as a photographer, she specializes in capturing the beauty of nature, travel, concerts, and fine art. In addition to her photography, Dunja also expresses her creativity through writing, embroidery, and jewelry making.
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Microsoft Surface devices have a sleek design, and the Surface Pro laptop seems to be useful for photographers. However, Consumer Reports claims that these gadgets are unreliable. Therefore, they removed the “recommended” label from four Microsoft laptops. According to their report, 25% of these devices will break within two years from the purchase.
According to Consumer Reports, the estimated breakage rate for Microsoft’s laptops and tablets was higher than most other brands. They emphasize that the “differences were statistically significant, which is why Microsoft doesn’t meet CR’s standards for recommended products.”
They base the results on the surveys, and they tested 90,741 tablets and laptops that subscribers bought new between 2014 and the beginning of 2017. According to the results, most common problems occur during startup of the device, when it freezes or shuts down unexpectedly. Another commonly reported problem is that the touch screen isn’t responsive enough.
As expected, Microsoft defended their products and the reliability they provide:
“We don’t believe these findings accurately reflect Surface owners’ true experiences or capture the performance and reliability improvements made with every Surface generation.”
Of course, what I can say is that things break, and it can always happen. Even if your Surface device gets broken, you’ll most likely get a replacement during the one-year warranty period. But if it breaks after this, you may be in trouble. On the reparability test by iFixit, the Surface Pro scored the “stunning” 0/10, which means it’s nearly impossible to fix it. So, for you as a user, I think it’s a matter of preferences and the budget you can spend on a new laptop or tablet when the old one breaks.
[via DPReview, Consumer Reports]
Dunja Đuđić
Dunja Djudjic is a multi-talented artist based in Novi Sad, Serbia. With 15 years of experience as a photographer, she specializes in capturing the beauty of nature, travel, concerts, and fine art. In addition to her photography, Dunja also expresses her creativity through writing, embroidery, and jewelry making.
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5 responses to “Your Microsoft Surface device could break within two years, according to Consumer Reports”
I’d never buy another one of them. It gobbled up all of the photos on one of my many external hard drives and that’s when I was attempting to do a backup!
Had my Pro 2 for almost 4 years, using it as my everyday/all day machine as well as extensive travel. Few minor issues but nothing major.
Another nonsensical headline… electronic goods can break at any stage.. Careful Microsoft don’t sue ye .
IPad Pro fixes the problem.
I would have thought Apple products would have been top, as I see so many with broken screens. I guess it depends on how the owners treat them though.
My iPad Air has lasted nearly 4 years and is still going strong and my MacBook has lasted 5 1/2 years.
As a bit of a geek, and working in electrical engineering I am shocked that not only are these Surface tablets breaking so regularly, but they are almost impossible to repair!
Surely it is unethical to sell a product, especially an expensive one, that cannot be repaired? I think I will stick to normal laptops and desktops as I can repair it, and it will probably outlast its warranty!