Surface Pro Tougher to Repair Than iPad: Report

A new report finds that Microsoft's newly-released Surface Pro tablet computer is tougher to repair than an Apple iPad. The device, which officially launched on February 9, 2013, is reportedly built in a way that makes it very tough for an owner to perform their own hardware maintenance.

The report comes to us from consumer technology hardware blog ifixit, which after performing a teardown of the Microsoft Surface Pro reports that "Microsoft has essentially glued down anything that could be glued, making it incredibly difficult for a user to repair on their own."

Battery-Gluing Arouses Anger

In fact, ifixit says that performing repair work on a Surface Pro is considerably more difficult than performing similar work on an Apple iPad. (Source: ifixit.com)

The biggest problem with working on the Surface Pro is that simply opening up the device threatens to seriously damage or even cut one of the four cables surrounding the tablet's display.

In addition, because the Surface Pro's battery is glued into the frame, removing that component is very difficult. That enraged ifixit's staff, who referred to the move as "planned obsolescence" and insisted it was "completely unnecessary." (Source: techcrunch.com)

The ifixit blog also reports that Microsoft's decision to use approximately ninety screws to piece together the Surface Pro's internal components is probably meant to discourage at-home repairs.

Surface Pro Home Repairs Heavily Discouraged

After considering these factors, ifixit scored the Surface Pro a 1 out of 10 for repairability. Apple's iPad, which scored a 2 out of 10 in the same category, is by no means easy to repair, either.

However, Apple's long been known for producing devices that are difficult for owners to repair themselves. Microsoft's move to a similar model is certainly a more recent development, and one ifixit isn't pleased about.

In fact, the blog warns potential buyers that, if they were thinking about tinkering with their new Surface toy, they should think again.