Skip to main content

Microsoft and iFixit team up on official repair kits for Surface devices

Microsoft continues to make strides as the Right to Repair movement gains traction, partnering with iFixit to release Pro repair kits to technicians for its Surface devices. It’s a big win for Right to Repair.

The repair kit is available as part of the iFixit Pro program and is not available to average consumers — at least right now. However, the kit features some handy tools that will help technicians add to the life cycle of Microsoft devices for their customers.

Recommended Videos

iFixit Pro independent repairers, Microsoft Authorized Service Providers, Microsoft Experience Centers, and Microsoft Commercial customers can now purchase Microsoft service  tools for Surface devices directly from iFixit 🎉 https://t.co/RN2ZUsAuz0 pic.twitter.com/Z5EB9gzhCr

— iFixit (@iFixit) December 13, 2021

The kit comes with three primary components: A Surface Display Debonding Tool, the Surface Display Bonding Frame, and the Surface Battery Cover.

The Surface Display Debonding Tool helps separate the screen from the rest of the product. The device guarantees that an opening pick does not go too far into the body when trying to separate the screen. It is designed for the Pro 7+, Pro 8, and Pro X.

The Bonding Frame is designed to work with weights and helps apply even pressure to get a strong adhesive bond when the display is being reattached after a repair. This product is meant for use on the Surface Pro 7+, Surface Pro 8, and the Pro X.

The Surface Battery Cover does exactly what it says; it’s placed on top of the opened device to prevent any unintentional contact between the motherboard and other sensitive components. The Battery Cover works with the Surface Laptops 3 and 4, Surface Laptop Go, Surface Laptop SE, and the Surface Laptop Studio.

All of these products were designed by Microsoft but produced and sold by iFixit.

This is yet another move by the tech giant that leans into Right to Repair. Last month, the company announced the Surface Laptop SE, a student-oriented laptop designed for simple repairability. It is set to launch in early 2022. We’ll have to wait and see how repairable it actually is.

This news comes just a few weeks after Apple announced that it would offer repair kits for its devices as well.

Caleb Clark
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Caleb Clark is a full-time writer that primarily covers consumer tech and gaming. He also writes frequently on Medium about…
Microsoft is making a major change to using your iPhone in Windows
The Dell XPS 13 on a table with the Start Menu open.

In a recent Windows Insider Blog post, Microsoft announced it's adding the option for iPhone users to access their phones from the Start menu. Thanks to a special widget next to the Start menu, when you connect your phone, you can see data such as notifications, battery indicators, recent contacts, connection status, and more.

To enjoy this feature, you must use the recent Windows 11 preview build from the Dev and Beta channels, and you must be a Windows Insider. You must also update the Phone Link app to version 1.24121.30.0 or higher, have a Microsoft account, and have a PC that supports Bluetooth LE. Microsoft said it does not support PCs running Pro Education or Education SKUs. Even if this doesn't affect you, the update is rolling out in phases, so reaching your PC might take some time if you don't already have it.

Read more
Microsoft ends support for this four-year-old Surface device
Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 rear view showing lid and logo.

Microsoft has officially ended support for the cheapest device in the Surface lineup, the Surface Laptop Go, after just four years. It can still be upgraded to Windows 11 24H2 and the laptop will still receive security updates, but it won't get any new firmware or driver updates.

The first-generation Surface Laptop Go isn't just an inexpensive laptop -- it's an extremely inexpensive laptop. In 2020, it launched for just $550, a price tag made possible by its limited RAM and storage, alongside a pretty low-resolution screen.

Read more
iFixIt’s stealthy soldering iron heats up in 5 seconds while charging your laptop
ifixit launches soldering iron fixhub toolkit lifestyle 01 1 2048x1365

It only makes sense that iFixIt would launch a soldering iron at some point. The company, which is best known for its electronic repair toolkits and wealth of repair guides, says that it has over 1,000 repair guides that call for a soldering iron. And up to this point, it hasn't offered a tool for those guides. The new Smart Soldering Iron, as iFixIt calls the device, puts a unique spin on an old design in order to make the soldering iron easier to use and more beginner friendly.

Power has a lot to do with that. Instead of plugging directly into the wall, the Smart Soldering Iron is powered by USB-C. And iFixit says you can use "any USB-C power delivery source," but it points specifically to its 65-watt GaN charger. The company says the soldering iron can heat up in under 5 seconds, but that time presumably increases if you're using a USB-C device that can't deliver above 65W.

Read more