Microsoft To Replace Surface Pro 4 Tablets Affected By Screen Flickering (theverge.com) 41
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.
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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
Re: Apple needs to take the hint. (Score:5, Insightful)
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.
Re: Apple needs to take the hint. (Score:1)
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Asus. Toshiba, though they use cheapass fans and I'm getting tired of replacing them.
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Really? Does Apple ask users what they want
Apple claims they don't do market research [appleinsider.com], but that's because Apple lies [appleinsider.com].
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. W
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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, ..!
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Replacing a bought-new-with-a-fault laptop with a refurbished one?
Now, if they would also address the N-trig touch! (Score:4, Informative)
Not a troll (Score:2, Insightful)
"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.
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"Trolling" means you're making stuff up just to get a reaction.
Such as implying that touchscreens don't get calibrated. When you dump your fat finger on a small little screen no one cares about calibration. Since we stopped using resistive touch the calibrations have stopped drifting. That doesn't mean that precision devices don't benefit from calibration, and it doesn't matter if you own a Microsoft Surface or a $3000 Wacom Cintiq Pro. Actually it does matter. The Cintiq Pro has a far longer and more complicated calibration process.
I'm genuinely trying to help people who don't understand that Microsoft is literally evil
Nope. You're just genuinely talking
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Three years coverage is bullshit! (Score:1, Troll)
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I personally will never buy such integrated, glued and sealer non-user serviceable AIO devices anymore. Enough of this overpriced frustration producing junk.
Microsoft has literally never been trustworthy and their hardware has literally always been flimsy junk. Their ergo keyboards were at the lower limit of acceptability, but truly built like crap. Their "ergonomic" mice hurt my wrist immediately. RROD. Massive Xbox 1 failure before that. Probably the only thing they've sold that delivered was Kinect and it was a commercial flop and they've discontinued the PC version.
Giving Microsoft money is begging to be abused.
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You've got a little Apple cum dripping off your lips, bro. Better wipe that up.
Show us on the picture of the internet where Apple touched you. I feel the same way about Apple, but the word Apple doesn't appear in my comment because we're talking about Microsoft right now. You seem to have a problem with your attention span, I hear they have drugs for that now.
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Their "non-ergonomic", cheap mice are good. In particular the Microsoft Trekker wheel mouse is very, very good, I still have one (it's PS/2, so I only use it on desktop). It's a ball mouse, so it makes me look like a luddite sometimes but a good ball mouse can be surprisingly good.
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In particular the Microsoft Trekker wheel mouse is very, very good,
I prefer the classic Logitech wheel mouse, but to each their own. (I'm actually using a T-BB18, not a mouse, but I still have tons of those Logi mice.) The Trekker, at least, doesn't make my hand hurt like their "ergonomic" mouse does.
Re:Three years coverage is bullshit! (Score:4, Insightful)
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How well are these things selling? (Score:3)
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Sorry. (Score:2)
Both of them? :-)