There’s not much new to the Surface Pro 9 on the outside, as our review points out. Inside, however, there is evidence of a lot of work by Microsoft to make the device more repairable, as shown in an iFixit teardown.
iFixit has consulted with Microsoft’s hardware teams for a while now, providing advice on making devices more repairable. As evidence of this, Microsoft claims in a statement that it will:
- Make repair guides available for the Surface Pro 9’s components by the end of the year
- Work with “a major US retailer” to build out an authorized (in-store) repair network by early 2023
- Offer parts to individuals and repair shops by the first half of 2023
All these factors improve repairability, both in practice and in iFixit’s (and French, European, and potentially other nations’) repair scores.
iFixit’s editorial teardowns, however, are conducted independently. When the team dug in, they found that the glass display has some flex built into it now, making it harder to shatter when you pry on the (now softer) glue underneath. With the screen off, you have access to all the modular components: motherboard, thermal module, the Surface Connect Port, speakers, Wi-Fi module, front and rear cameras, and side buttons.
iFixit’s video teardown of the Surface Pro 9.
Most notably, the battery is now screwed down instead of held in place with glue. That makes the most common and predictable repair to the device “just plain simple,” iFixit claims.
The RAM is soldered to the motherboard, something that iFixit would typically penalize in the past. But iFixit says that given the power savings and performance boost from proximity to the CPU, it can’t punish the decision.
Adding it all up, iFixit gives the Surface Pro 9 a 7 out of 10. That’s a notable leap from prior Surface models, like the Pro 7, which received a 1 out of 10. But the Surface Pro 9’s score will likely move up a notch or two if Microsoft keeps its promises to release manuals and spare parts to anyone who wants them next year.
Disclosure: Kevin Purdy previously worked for iFixit. He holds no financial stake in the company.
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