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Microsoft To Replace Surface Pro 4 Tablets Affected By Screen Flickering (theverge.com)
Microsoft is unable to find a software or firmware fix for Surface Pro 4 tablets affected by screen flickering, so it's launching a replacement program for them. Any Surface Pro 4 units experiencing the problem will be covered for up to three years from the time of original purchase. The Verge reports: The annoying flickering has been well-documented on Microsoft's support forums, with some users taking drastic steps like putting their Surface Pro 4 in a freezer to temporarily fix the issue. Back in February, Microsoft said it was closely monitoring the situation, and the company came to the conclusion that there's no convenient fix. Some customers have already paid for a screen replacement to stop the flickering since the problem typically arises when a machine is out of warranty; Microsoft says they'll be "offered a refund." The company notes that this three-year coverage doesn't extend to other problems your Surface Pro might experience outside the warranty period; it only applies to the screen issue. Replacement devices are refurbished -- not brand new -- Surface Pro 4s.
Microsoft took way to long to address this issue. From what I have seen of this flicker it would not be acceptable on a cheap netbook, let alone a Surface Pro. Question is, what sort of crappy cheap hardware was Microsoft allowing in these so called "pro" Surface notebooks? Glad Microsoft is finally doing what it should have done from the start of this. Most likely avoiding the repairs because these Surface Pro's are not so repair friendly. Well that's not the fault of the customers Microsoft.
Since they switched to the N-trig touch screen and digitiser since with the Surface Pro 3 they also have a phantom touch and dead zone issue that remains unsolved: https://www.youtube.com/watch?... Running some –not even designed for that model!– "Sony" n-trig calibration tool can sometimes help, a little bit, temporarily at least, or so (your milage may vary), I find it ridiculous that many users need to live with a mostly brocken touchscreen for years! Also it can be really hard and sometimes impossible to even log in and reach the device manager to a actually switch the f*cking HID off, if it produces too many random touches, ..!
"covered for up to three years from the time of original purchase. " What a bullshit, early adapters may have lived 3 years with the manufacturing defect, and now they do not even get it fixed? See my n-trig post above: If they even would have such a program for the Surface Pro 3 I quoted, I would not even be covered with a three year old device that I had touch issues with for nearly two (2!) years now, ..! I personally will never buy such integrated, glued and sealer non-user serviceable AIO devices anymore. Enough of this overpriced frustration producing junk.
Running some â"not even designed for that model!â" "Sony" n-trig calibration tool can sometimes help, a little bit, temporarily at least, or so (your milage may vary), I find it ridiculous that many users need to live with a mostly brocken touchscreen for years!
Touchscreen calibration? What year is it? I haven't calibrated a touch screen since my GRiDPad! This is what you get for buying stuff with the "Microsoft" warning label on it.
"You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
2016 and 2017 MacBook Pros have faulty and unreliable keyboards. It's about time for Apple to 1. Admit it, 2. Fix it.
Without knowing the details: Fixing the Surface Pros could be as simple as replacing a $0.10 capacitor. This could cost Microsoft very little.
Apple, OTOH, are screwed. Apple really needs to fix this bit it'll cost them an awful lot of money. They've got billions in the bank, sure, the real question is: Have they got a more reliable keyboard that's as low profile as the abomination they put in the MB Pro?
If they have to redesign the Macbook with a proper keyboard and replace them all then it serves 'em right for listening to design teams instead of engineers, IMHO.
No sig today...
"Trolling" means you're making stuff up just to get a reaction. I'm genuinely trying to help people who don't understand that Microsoft is literally evil, and giving them money is funding one's own abuse, and the abuse of others.
God damn this comment delay is pathetic. I can come up with two fully formed thoughts in one minute. I guess Slashdot editors can't. Wait, we knew that.
"You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
Apple's problem, again, is this stupid obsession with thinness.
As long as users are willing to pay for it, Apple will continue to pursue it. It's Apple users who are stupid. They'd rather have a laptop 2mm thinner than have a laptop that'll last for two more years.
"You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
The device is completely super glued together out of parts that will break if you try to get in there.
The reason I am asking is because I have yet to see one in the wild. Which is weird, for I think that, in the circles I frequent, they should be visible.
Which non-Mac laptops are you talking about lasting two years longer than macs? I have never owned a windows laptop that came in close in build quality to my MacBook Pro and I am genuinely curious. I currently have an Alienware.
Both of them? :-)
Without knowing the details: Fixing the Surface Pros could be as simple as replacing a $0.10 capacitor.
Well, prying a super-glued tabled open, reflow, and gluing everything perfectly back together, is not exactly cheap, ..!
This "calibration" does not require touch input. Actually RTFM specifically says not to touch it at all. As you can see in my videos, it looks like some SNR, background noise level sensing or so, ...
Asus. Toshiba, though they use cheapass fans and I'm getting tired of replacing them.
"You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
I spent an hour and a half this morning at my local MS Store with this issue with zero result. I went armed with a copy of the Microsoft link from the Ars Technica and other articles describing the new policy only to be told by my salesgirl and her manager that they know nothing of it and have no S4Ps in stock anyway. Oh, and they also said if I send it in via the exchange program I may be charged $450 with no recourse.
I'll try the same store on a weekday after they've had time to get their act together. Can't face two weeks of downtime for a mailed replacement.
Anybody having any success with replacement machines at their local MS store? Location?
Really? Does Apple ask users what they want or they just assume and build an ever thinner laptop?
my latest video update on the Surface Pro 3 touch issues: https://www.youtube.com/watch?...
Really? Does Apple ask users what they want
Apple claims they don't do market research, but that's because Apple lies.
or they just assume and build an ever thinner laptop?
Even if they weren't liars, building a thinner laptop and then selling it tells you that people want to buy a thinner laptop. However, Apple didn't invent the Ultrabook segment; that was Toshiba. They were making slim and lightweight 486 laptops while Apple was still making chunky, funky Powerbooks. To suggest that nobody inside of Apple looked at any reports which stated that people would like thinner laptops is laughable at best. When people say something that dumb, I like to tilt my head over to the side like a dog does, so as to imply that even a dog would be confused by that statement. It works pretty well in traffic, too.
"You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
Some people can't seem to get a joke...
all modern hardware is overpriced garbage... be it laptops, tablets or smartphones
the high quality segment has disappeared because people are willing to pay top dollar for the lowest possible quality combined with extremely user hostile products that have way to many ways of breaking either over time or instantly due to stuff like being extreme fragile
and we know who to thank for it...