Hi, those who have had your Surface screen replaced by MS Support - how long did it take them to turnaround?

From this post (which is a very helpful guide on how to get your screen replaced - and it mentioned it's USD400), it indicated 3-4 weeks!! They actually give you a refurbished SP instead of actually replacing the screen on yours.

All Surface warranty are handled by Microsoft regardless of where you bought the machine - as long as it's registered on their site.

My SP3 was not bought from a local retailer (that was way back in July 2014) and I still managed to register it on the Microsoft site.

However most retailers eg Thundermatch, Viewnet do have a immediate 1-1 replacement if you return to them within 7-days. I think this is why you are being asked to deal with Thundermatch direct if you want an immediate replacement (or even refund).

Failing which, I'm sure you can still send in RMA to Microsoft. They'll likely send you a replacement unit (since they do not really repair any Surface Pro).

To those who have sent in your device for out-of-warranty replacement, where did you send your device to? Somewhere in Malaysia or USA?

I created a Repair Order for my SP3 and the address indicated for me to send the device back to is USA. I'd thought a service center in Malaysia can receive the unit?

MS Returns Centre
McAllen, Texas

Alrite.. just to provide an update. It is indeed Quantium Technology that'll handle the pickup for RMA. Just got a call from them. And we won't be sending the unit back to Texas.

However my case seems to be "different". My screen is cracked due to the bulging, lifting of the screen - and it cracked when I tried to press/glue it back. The device is out of warranty anyway.

It seems this "issue" is a hot one. Someone from MS called, and asked me a slew of questions..... as if to confirm if I'd "abuse" the system. haha. Then they asked me not to do anything (incl sending the device to RMA) first until they get Global Escalated Services to call me.

This new Surface laptop is actually a full-blown OS - not Windows RT. Just that it's locked to the Windows Store.

Microsoft is moving to have UWP replace Win32/64 exe program - you can already see some of these UWPs. Their intention is to have clean UWP apps (which is actually full Win32 program) moving forward.

The fact that UWP apps can also run on Phone is a by-product, not the main objective of the UWP eco-system.

MS does not want W10S machines to run legacy Win apps as those apps "corrupt" the registry over time and therefore has higher overhead cost in maintaining (especially for non-techie users).

The shift is towards UWP apps - not mobile apps but full-blown Win10 apps that's built on the UWP architecture so for all intent and purpose this has the full functionality as legacy Win32 apps.

Hence W10S locks to only these apps in the Windows Store. For now, it's still a chicken-egg case as there's limited full-blown Win apps in the Windows Store. But as I understand, all future releases of any Windows app would be using UWP and not Win32.

Eventually Win32 will retire, and be replaced with UWP.

For now, the market confusion is that "Win10S machines only run Windows Store phone-apps" - instead of Windows Store UWP apps.

It's not unlike the other confusion oh Surface Pro is a tablet, and not a (full-blown) W10 laptop.

Hi, are these your price estimates or Microsoft MY official pricing? Microsoft MY has (interestingly) put up a Surface Pro (new) section in the local site even tho Malaysia (and also Singapore) is not named as part of the initial 26 countries roll-out.

Some are saying this could mean the new SP would be available in MY pretty soon.

which wireless adapter - brand/model?

if price is a factor for you, then do start looking out for deals on SP4. Am sure prices would drop as retailers start to clear stock to make way for new SP.

If price is not, then the new SP does offer a few key advantages. There's no fan for the i5 model so this means the heat issue is mostly resolved in the new model.

The battery time is significantly higher than existing model. Won't be as high as the advertised 13 hrs but 9 hrs should be achievable.

All above not key factors to those who already own an SP4 now but if you do not, then might be worth waiting a month or so.

If price is a concern, do consider getting the SP3 model. The full spec i7-8GB RAM-512GB SDD is going for RM5k or less. You still get one year warranty from MS.

I started with the SP3 when it was first launched, and early this year had a RMA replacement (with a refurbished SP3) which is still serving me well.

My work travels a fair bit and usu at client site. Once I'm used to traveling with the SP3 - not just the small footprint of the device itself, but also the light power adapter - I wouldn't want to go back to any laptop (even the XPS).

And anyway, if you get an XPS13 model with touch screen and SSD (ie similar spec to the SP), you'll end up with similar price points.

A good review for the new SP. btw is anyone here using the Alcantara type cover? Wanted to know how it feels and how long it can last (vs the standard Type Cover)?

https://www.windowscentral.com/surface-pro

1) Surface Pro 4 Dock - it's compatible backwards with SP3. While the SP3 dock is a proper dock, I find the SP4 more useful when you need to pack it for traveling.

2) Screen protector - if you wish to install one, make sure it's a good tempered glass model as otherwise it may impair your touch screen functionality / sensitivity.

Surface 3 is NOT Win10. It's on WinRT. Surface Pro 3 is on Win10.

Basically the "Surface Non-pro" series is a failure, while the "Surface Pro" is their payoff. Hence after "3", Microsoft concentrated fully on the Surface Pro series and stopped the Surface (non-pro) lines.

Surface 3
Surface Pro 3
Surface Pro 4
Surface Pro 5 (aka Surface Pro)

You can also say the Surface (non-pro) series is a tablet, while the Surface Pro series is a laptop (in tablet form factor). This naming/branding is also part of the confusion which led to many journalists comparing the Surface Pro series with the iPad Pro (and even the iPad).

Oh wait. it seems mrl is correct. Surface 3 does run full Windows 8.1. I always thought it's an upgrade of Surface 2 running WinRT.

https://www.engadget.com/2015/03/31/microsoft-surface-3/

Seems strange then for MS to roll out both Surface 3 and Surface Pro 3 if both can do full Windows.

Those looking to consider the extra 1-yr warranty from 3rd party ie not Microsoft on the Surface Pro, do consider this - the device is VERY HARD to repair for 3rd party. Even for MS, they send you back a new/refurbish device rather than repair yours.

so not sure how it's going to work if say your screen cracks or something internal is broken, do ask Senq how they intend to provide this warranty (post-1-yr)? Are they going to open your Surface to try repair (good luck with that.. do check out some teardown vid and you'll see how difficult that is). If they are going to RMA to MS at their cost, the extra year warranty is worth it.

There are also a lot of under-the-hood improvements for SP 2017. Basically if affordability is not an issue, SP 2017 is the one to get. But if you wish to get more "value for money", look for good promos on SP4. Am sure retailers will be doing more promos to clear their stocks for the incoming SP 2017.

Echoing Rusty Nail - Surface Pro is not user servicable. You won't be able to buy a battery and have it replaced yourself. Or even by any of those in Lowyat. It's a very hard machine to tear-down (and possibly not able to re-build). Best option for you is to call the Microsoft Service Center number. They'll advise you what to do. After their suggestion - and if there's a cost to this RMA - you can then consider whether to pursue the replacement (they won't replace nor repair your SP but will replace it with a refurbished unit) or get a new machine.

Yeah, those things can be "sharp" to a SP.

When I am carrying it for work, my SP3 would be inside my briefcase. Just files etc so not likely to get scratch. If I'm travelling and need to keep the SP3 inside by luggage bag, then I put it in a sleeve (I have one of Waterfield's nice sleeve). Hope this use case help those worried about scratching their SP.

Yeah battery life is the only thing holding back this machine from being a great one to THE laptop. My use case is more grounded to a desk or accessible power source (eg client side / training) so it works for me. But I can understand those who are on the move a lot and needs more reliable battery life (like those offered by the Mac).

Those looking to get a Surface Pro should check out Lazada's promos which runs for today only (12/7) especially on Tesco. They are bundling the i7 16GB 512 SSD model for less than RM8k.