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Battery Replacement for Surface Pro?

Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2013 9:31 am
by Deanjo
I was trying to find out what type of battery replacement program that MS would offer for the Surface Pro. I couldn't find anything so I was wondering if one of you knew where such details could be found. My concern is with such a short battery life on the Surface Pro and with the likely hood of it going through many more charge cycles then a typical laptop that the battery probably would have to be replaced more often. If they don't have such a program then really the Surface Pro is off limits for me.

Re: Battery Replacement for Surface Pro?

Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2013 9:37 am
by DancinJack
I haven't heard anything either. Honest to goodness it should be off-limits anyway. Unless you have VERY specific needs for a Windows based "tablet" that is this powerful, I would consider getting a laptop. Maybe one with a touchscreen if that's what you're looking for.

Re: Battery Replacement for Surface Pro?

Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2013 10:20 am
by JohnC
Eh, you have a warranty which should cover everything... And beyond the warranty period this thing might become severely outdated, both from hardware point of view and software (MS might stop providing updates for it) so you'll probably want to buy a newer model anyway...

Re: Battery Replacement for Surface Pro?

Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2013 10:37 am
by Deanjo
JohnC wrote:
Eh, you have a warranty which should cover everything... And beyond the warranty period this thing might become severely outdated, both from hardware point of view and software (MS might stop providing updates for it) so you'll probably want to buy a newer model anyway...


The default 1 year warranty does not cover the natural diminishing of battery capacity, nor does the $99 extended 3 year warranty. I wouldn't say I would just toss it after the warranty expires. Typically most of my machines get used a minimum of 5-6 years before I retire them (laptops usually have their batteries replaced at least once). With the iPad 2 I can get a replacement for $99 (although that battery is still going strong).

BTW the surface pro is covered until 2017 with their updates. Still, I wouldn't be running Windows on it in the first place so that is not a concern.

Re: Battery Replacement for Surface Pro?

Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2013 10:41 am
by Deanjo
Hmm just thought of something else. Since the EULA is the same as regular Windows 8 Pro, I should be able to call microsoft if I purchase it and request a refund for the installed OS.

Re: Battery Replacement for Surface Pro?

Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2013 10:43 am
by DancinJack
Deanjo wrote:
JohnC wrote:
Eh, you have a warranty which should cover everything... And beyond the warranty period this thing might become severely outdated, both from hardware point of view and software (MS might stop providing updates for it) so you'll probably want to buy a newer model anyway...


The default 1 year warranty does not cover the natural diminishing of battery capacity, nor does the $99 extended 3 year warranty. I wouldn't say I would just toss it after the warranty expires. Typically most of my machines get used a minimum of 5-6 years before I retire them (laptops usually have their batteries replaced at least once). With the iPad 2 I can get a replacement for $99 (although that battery is still going strong).

BTW the surface pro is covered until 2017 with their updates. Still, I wouldn't be running Windows on it in the first place so that is not a concern.


If you won't be running Windows on it why on earth would you pay that much for it?

Re: Battery Replacement for Surface Pro?

Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2013 10:52 am
by Deanjo
DancinJack wrote:
If you won't be running Windows on it why on earth would you pay that much for it?


It's an x86 tablet that I would be running linux and OS X on. That's why. The hardware choices to be able to do that are pretty limited

Re: Battery Replacement for Surface Pro?

Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2013 10:59 am
by just brew it!
JohnC wrote:
Eh, you have a warranty which should cover everything... And beyond the warranty period this thing might become severely outdated, both from hardware point of view and software (MS might stop providing updates for it) so you'll probably want to buy a newer model anyway...

Ehh... first of all, the warranty is only 1 year. An expensive piece of equipment like this better damn well *not* be severely outdated after only 1 year!

Secondly, the warranty does not cover normal wear on the battery. Per their warranty terms, it only covers failures which occur due to a "defect in materials or workmanship". So if the battery suddenly fails, it's covered; but diminished capacity that comes from repeated charge/discharge cycles is not.

DancinJack wrote:
Deanjo wrote:
BTW the surface pro is covered until 2017 with their updates. Still, I wouldn't be running Windows on it in the first place so that is not a concern.

If you won't be running Windows on it why on earth would you pay that much for it?

Bingo. Why in the *world* would you buy something from Microsoft to run a non-Microsoft OS on? Aside from the high price, hardware compatibility is a very real concern too.

Edit:
Deanjo wrote:
It's an x86 tablet that I would be running linux and OS X on. That's why. The hardware choices to be able to do that are pretty limited

Have you verified that driver support is there in both Linux and OS X?

Re: Battery Replacement for Surface Pro?

Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2013 11:08 am
by DancinJack
just brew it! wrote:
Edit:
Deanjo wrote:
It's an x86 tablet that I would be running linux and OS X on. That's why. The hardware choices to be able to do that are pretty limited

Have you verified that driver support is there in both Linux and OS X?


Not only this, but how is touch support in those OS's? I don't know which distro(s) you're planning on running, but I haven't seen much about touch for Linux.

edit: Not trying to pick on your or anything man. Just seems illogical to me.

Re: Battery Replacement for Surface Pro?

Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2013 11:33 am
by just brew it!
DancinJack wrote:
Not only this, but how is touch support in those OS's? I don't know which distro(s) you're planning on running, but I haven't seen much about touch for Linux.

Well, given that Ubuntu is attempting to push into the tablet/smartphone space I imagine it exists. But it isn't mature, and the apps to use it aren't there (yet).

Re: Battery Replacement for Surface Pro?

Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2013 11:47 am
by Ryu Connor

Re: Battery Replacement for Surface Pro?

Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2013 11:55 am
by just brew it!
Ryu Connor wrote:
http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2013/02/ifixit-teardown-shows-surface-pro-is-a-tough-nut-to-crack/

Heh. If it's really that hard to get at the battery, the Surface pro is one really expensive disposable device. Sounds like even if MS does offer a battery replacement program, it may be more along the lines of "Sure, we'll sell you a new battery... in a shiny new Surface Pro case!"

And to think I was pissed when my Asus EEPC didn't have an easily accessible hard drive... :lol:

Re: Battery Replacement for Surface Pro?

Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2013 2:53 pm
by SecretSquirrel
just brew it! wrote:
Ryu Connor wrote:
http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2013/02/ifixit-teardown-shows-surface-pro-is-a-tough-nut-to-crack/

Heh. If it's really that hard to get at the battery, the Surface pro is one really expensive disposable device. Sounds like even if MS does offer a battery replacement program, it may be more along the lines of "Sure, we'll sell you a new battery... in a shiny new Surface Pro case!"

And to think I was pissed when my Asus EEPC didn't have an easily accessible hard drive... :lol:


See the ifixit tear down. From what I see, the system is designed to be disposable.

--SS

Re: Battery Replacement for Surface Pro?

Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2013 3:01 pm
by just brew it!
SecretSquirrel wrote:
See the ifixit tear down. From what I see, the system is designed to be disposable.

The Ars article is based on (and has a link to) the iFixit teardown.

Re: Battery Replacement for Surface Pro?

Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2013 3:21 pm
by thecoldanddarkone
SecretSquirrel wrote:
just brew it! wrote:
Ryu Connor wrote:
http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2013/02/ifixit-teardown-shows-surface-pro-is-a-tough-nut-to-crack/

Heh. If it's really that hard to get at the battery, the Surface pro is one really expensive disposable device. Sounds like even if MS does offer a battery replacement program, it may be more along the lines of "Sure, we'll sell you a new battery... in a shiny new Surface Pro case!"

And to think I was pissed when my Asus EEPC didn't have an easily accessible hard drive... :lol:


See the ifixit tear down. From what I see, the system is designed to be disposable.

--SS


At least it's not built to fall apart. :P

*******I have a surface pro********

Re: Battery Replacement for Surface Pro?

Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2013 3:28 pm
by just brew it!
thecoldanddarkone wrote:
At least it's not built to fall apart. :P

Yeah, a fair bit of the stuff they did seems to be intended to ruggedize it. Looks like it should be able to take a fair bit of abuse. But if it *does* break, or if the battery dies, it looks like you'll need to replace the entire unit.

Re: Battery Replacement for Surface Pro?

Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2013 3:39 pm
by thecoldanddarkone
just brew it! wrote:
thecoldanddarkone wrote:
At least it's not built to fall apart. :P

Yeah, a fair bit of the stuff they did seems to be intended to ruggedize it. Looks like it should be able to take a fair bit of abuse. But if it *does* break, or if the battery dies, it looks like you'll need to replace the entire unit.


I'm not going to argue with that. :P

Re: Battery Replacement for Surface Pro?

Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2013 3:43 pm
by Deanjo
just brew it! wrote:
DancinJack wrote:
Deanjo wrote:
BTW the surface pro is covered until 2017 with their updates. Still, I wouldn't be running Windows on it in the first place so that is not a concern.

If you won't be running Windows on it why on earth would you pay that much for it?

Bingo. Why in the *world* would you buy something from Microsoft to run a non-Microsoft OS on? Aside from the high price, hardware compatibility is a very real concern too.

Edit:
Deanjo wrote:
It's an x86 tablet that I would be running linux and OS X on. That's why. The hardware choices to be able to do that are pretty limited

Have you verified that driver support is there in both Linux and OS X?


The hardware is very well supported in OS X and linux as it is very generic intel hardware and support for that hardware has been around for a long time already. Touchscreen support was a bit of a concern but my buddy who already bought a surface pro has a working touchsceen and digitizer driver for it. In linux, touchsceen support has been around forever and as far as a UI goes I would be using KDE's Plasma Active.

Re: Battery Replacement for Surface Pro?

Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2013 3:52 pm
by just brew it!
I've not been overly impressed with KDE's stability even as a standard (no touch) desktop platform. Good luck with that.

Re: Battery Replacement for Surface Pro?

Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2013 6:08 pm
by JohnC
About the warranty and battery coverage: who cares if the warranty doesn't "cover diminishing battery life"??? If your battery starts to lose life and you're still under warranty - just "brick" the whole tablet in some creative way, you'll simply get a new one (or at least refurbished, which should be better anyway), and if that model is not available anymore - you'll get a newer model as a replacement, which is even better (since it might very likely be more power-efficient and/or have a higher capacity battery). Think outside of your "boxes", people! :P

Re: Battery Replacement for Surface Pro?

Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2013 6:15 pm
by just brew it!
JohnC wrote:
About the warranty and battery coverage: who cares if the warranty doesn't "cover diminishing battery life"??? If your battery starts to lose life and you're still under warranty - just "brick" the whole tablet in some creative way, you'll simply get a new one (or at least refurbished, which should be better anyway), and if that model is not available anymore - you'll get a newer model as a replacement, which is even better (since it might very likely be more power-efficient and/or have a higher capacity battery). Think outside of your "boxes", people! :P

So in your mind, fraud qualifies as "thinking outside the box"?

Re: Battery Replacement for Surface Pro?

Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2013 6:15 pm
by DancinJack
JohnC wrote:
About the warranty and battery coverage: who cares if the warranty doesn't "cover diminishing battery life"??? If your battery starts to lose life and you're still under warranty - just "brick" the whole tablet in some creative way, you'll simply get a new one (or at least refurbished, which should be better anyway), and if that model is not available anymore - you'll get a newer model as a replacement, which is even better (since it might very likely be more power-efficient and/or have a higher capacity battery). Think outside of your "boxes", people! :P


I guess. There are ways in which you can "brick" your device that voids your warranty. Read up before you do something you might regret. Also probably not a great idea to post about that either.

As far as getting a refurb. Luck of the draw, man. Chances are you'll get a returned unit. The warranty only lasts a year. I HIGHLY doubt you'd get a newer model as a replacement unless there is some crazy recall on them and they can't distribute refurbs.

If you really want the Surface Pro just get it dude. You seem to have most of this worked out for yourself. Obviously there are a number of us that might not feel the same way.

edit: Thought you were the OP. Same principles apply.

Re: Battery Replacement for Surface Pro?

Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2013 6:47 pm
by just brew it!
To each their own, I suppose... but I refuse to buy a product promoted with an ad as content free as this. They're trying too hard to remake themselves in the image of Apple (and failing miserably in the attempt).

Re: Battery Replacement for Surface Pro?

Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2013 2:42 am
by Flying Fox
just brew it! wrote:
DancinJack wrote:
If you won't be running Windows on it why on earth would you pay that much for it?

Bingo. Why in the *world* would you buy something from Microsoft to run a non-Microsoft OS on? Aside from the high price, hardware compatibility is a very real concern too.
Similar thing for people who bought Macbooks (and MBPs) to just run Windows.

Deanjo wrote:
Touchscreen support was a bit of a concern but my buddy who already bought a surface pro has a working touchsceen and digitizer driver for it.
Digitizer == the pen? That sounds good. What about the Touch/Type cover? Not sure if that 5-point contact runs USB protocol.

Are you running it as a tablet or just an ultrabook? Because switching to Linux is likely not going to increase battery life by a whole lot. That we need to wait for Haswell or some AMD ultra-low power CPUs.

Re: Battery Replacement for Surface Pro?

Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2013 2:52 am
by JohnC
just brew it! wrote:
JohnC wrote:
About the warranty and battery coverage: who cares if the warranty doesn't "cover diminishing battery life"??? If your battery starts to lose life and you're still under warranty - just "brick" the whole tablet in some creative way, you'll simply get a new one (or at least refurbished, which should be better anyway), and if that model is not available anymore - you'll get a newer model as a replacement, which is even better (since it might very likely be more power-efficient and/or have a higher capacity battery). Think outside of your "boxes", people! :P

So in your mind, fraud qualifies as "thinking outside the box"?

Yea, it does... Especially if the company forces customers to (potentially) waste a lot of $$$ because this company did a very bad job at designing hardware with proper power efficiency and proper battery capacity/life :P

Re: Battery Replacement for Surface Pro?

Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2013 9:13 am
by Chrispy_
The surface Pro hasn't landed in the UK yet, but based on the reviews it's such a niche product that I wouldn't be surprised to never see it on the high street.

  • It is thick and heavy for a tablet
  • It has the worst battery life I have come across in any tablet
  • It is the most expensive tablet available today
  • It is disposable, impossible to both service and upgrade
  • It is in the oldest and most powerful software ecosystem, but almost the entirety of that ecosystem still isn't touch/pen-friendly
  • Developers still write tablet applications for iOS first, and Android second. Windows8 is still just an often-omitted afterthought.
  • Non-game apps are basically pointless on a Surface RT or Pro.

If you're into tablet gaming, the SurfaceRT and Pro are a long way down the desirability list, not only because of their battery life.
If you're into productivity on the move, you either want more portability and runtime (like the iPad or Nexus7) or more functionality from something like an ultrabook. There are even hybrid tabletPC's like the Transformer and Yoga that do a better job of being a "Surface Pro" than a Surface Pro.

The only things the surface actually does well is "look good" and "advertise W8 touch features".

Re: Battery Replacement for Surface Pro?

Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2013 10:32 am
by just brew it!
JohnC wrote:
just brew it! wrote:
So in your mind, fraud qualifies as "thinking outside the box"?

Yea, it does... Especially if the company forces customers to (potentially) waste a lot of $$$ because this company did a very bad job at designing hardware with proper power efficiency and proper battery capacity/life :P

If the battery life is a problem for you, why buy it at all? You're just (indirectly) driving prices up for people who don't mind the short battery life.

Re: Battery Replacement for Surface Pro?

Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2013 11:02 am
by Deanjo
just brew it! wrote:
I've not been overly impressed with KDE's stability even as a standard (no touch) desktop platform. Good luck with that.


You must have been trying out a poor KDE implementation *cough*Kubuntu*cough*. In openSUSE KDE is as stable as a rock and far less buggy then Gnome.

Re: Battery Replacement for Surface Pro?

Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2013 6:34 pm
by JohnC
just brew it! wrote:
JohnC wrote:
just brew it! wrote:
So in your mind, fraud qualifies as "thinking outside the box"?

Yea, it does... Especially if the company forces customers to (potentially) waste a lot of $$$ because this company did a very bad job at designing hardware with proper power efficiency and proper battery capacity/life :P

If the battery life is a problem for you, why buy it at all? You're just (indirectly) driving prices up for people who don't mind the short battery life.

"I" am not actually buying it (I already have plenty of proper tablet devices to satisfy all my needs), I was just giving a suggestion to people concerned about the battery lifetime of this abomination :wink:

Re: Battery Replacement for Surface Pro?

Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2013 7:13 pm
by BIF
JohnC wrote:
...I was just giving a suggestion to people concerned about the battery lifetime of this abomination.


I'll give better advice.

If battery life/longevity is a concern to you (and this tablet may very well have a greater chance for that happening), just don't buy it. Chances are good the next generation will be better anyway!

There, and no fraud required. Now EVERYBODY should be happy. :)