Cracking Open the Microsoft Surface Pro

Microsoft Surface Pro Teardown

\n\tWhen Microsoft built the Surface Pro, they packed the power of an ultrabook in the body of a tablet. Unfortunately, they also made the device nearly impossible for an end-user or even an in-house tech to service and repair.

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\n\tFor a detailed analysis of the teardown, check out my article and video, Difficult-to-repair Surface Pro built more like an ultrabook than a tablet.
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\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
\n\tCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open Surface Pro: Hardware specifications and pricing

\n\tThe Surface Pro has a 10.6-inch display with a resolution of 1,920 by 1080. It has stereo speakers, a microSD card slot, a full-size USB 3.0 port, a mini DisplayPort, and two 720p cameras. On the inside, the Pro has a 1.7GHz Intel Core i5 CPU with HD 4000 graphics, 4GB of 1,600MHz DDR3 RAM, and a 42 Wh battery. It comes in 64GB ($899) and 128GB ($999) models.
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\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
\n\tCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open Surface Pro: Box contents (tablet not shown)

\n\tAlong with the tablet, the Surface Pro comes with the charger, digital pen, and product documentation.

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\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
\n\tCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open Surface Pro: Dimensions and weight

\n\tThe Surface Pro measures 10.8″ (W) x 6.8″ (H) x 0.53″ (D) and weighs 2 pounds–significantly more than other 10-inch tablets.
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\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
\n\tCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open Surface Pro: Back

Cracking Open Surface Pro: Kickstand

Cracking Open Surface Pro: USB 3.0 port, volume buttons, and headphone jack

Cracking Open Surface Pro: microSD card slot, power connector, Mini DisplayPort

Cracking Open Surface Pro: Keyboard connector

Cracking Open Surface Pro: Microphone

Cracking Open Surface Pro: 720p rear-facing camera

Cracking Open Surface Pro: 10.6" ClearType Full HD Display (1920x1080 pixels)

Cracking Open Surface Pro: 720p front-facing camera and front panel sensors

Cracking Open Surface Pro: Removing the kickstand screws

Cracking Open Surface Pro: Removing the kickstand

Cracking Open Surface Pro: Kickstand removed

Cracking Open Surface Pro: Heating the front panel adhesive

Cracking Open Surface Pro: Prying loose the front panel

Cracking Open Surface Pro: Removing the front panel

Cracking Open Surface Pro: Front panel connectors

Cracking Open Surface Pro: Front panel and LCD assembly

Cracking Open Surface Pro: Internal hardware

Cracking Open Surface Pro: Removing the internal bezel screws

Cracking Open Surface Pro: Removing the internal bezel

Cracking Open Surface Pro: Internal bezel with front-facing camera attached

Cracking Open Surface Pro: Front-facing camera sitting within internal bezel

Cracking Open Surface Pro: Front-facing camera removed

Cracking Open Surface Pro: 720p front-facing camera

Cracking Open Surface Pro: Removing the side metal place screws

Cracking Open Surface Pro: Removing the side metal plats

Cracking Open Surface Pro: Side metal plates

Cracking Open Surface Pro: Tablet with internal bezel and side plates removed

Cracking Open Surface Pro: Removing the volume button/headphone jack assembly screws

Cracking Open Surface Pro: Removing the volume button/headphone jack assembly

Cracking Open Surface Pro: Volume button/headphone jack assembly

Cracking Open Surface Pro: Removing the motherboard

Cracking Open Surface Pro: Back cover/case with battery and components attached

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Cracking Open Surface Pro: Motherboard with cooling assembly - Front

Cracking Open Surface Pro: Motherboard with cooling assembly - Back

Cracking Open Surface Pro: Removing the cooling fan screws

Cracking Open Surface Pro: Removing the cooling assembly shield

Cracking Open Surface Pro: Removing the cooling assembly screws

Cracking Open Surface Pro: Removing the cooling assembly

Cracking Open Surface Pro: Cooling assembly with fans

Cracking Open Surface Pro: Delta Electronics KDB04105HB DC Brushless fan (x2)

Cracking Open Surface Pro: Cooling assembly

Cracking Open Surface Pro: Removing the SSD screws

Cracking Open Surface Pro: Removing the SSD

Cracking Open Surface Pro: 64GB Micron RealSSD C400 mSATA

Cracking Open Surface Pro: Removing the motherboard EMI/RFI shields

Cracking Open Surface Pro: Motherboard - Front

Cracking Open Surface Pro: Motherboard - Back

Cracking Open Surface Pro: 1.7GHz Intel Core i5-3317U Processor

Cracking Open Surface Pro: Intel Mobile HM77 Express Chipset

Cracking Open Surface Pro: Marvell Avastar 88W8797 MIMO Wi-Fi/Bluetooth/FM wireless chip

Cracking Open Surface Pro: Winbond 25X05CL Serial Flash

Cracking Open Surface Pro: Winbond 25Q64FV Serial Flash

Cracking Open Surface Pro: Novatek NT96132QG46

Cracking Open Surface Pro: Fairchild Semiconductor FDMS7608S 30V Dual N-Channel PowerTrench MOSFET

Cracking Open Surface Pro: Micron 1,600MHz DDR3 (4Gb 3AEI2 D9PXV x8 - 4GB total)

Cracking Open Surface Pro: Infineon SLB 9635 TT 1.2 Trusted Mobile Platform (TPM) Security Chip

Cracking Open Surface Pro: ITE Tech IT8519G

Cracking Open Surface Pro: Winbond 25X40CL Serial Flash

Cracking Open Surface Pro: Miscellaneous ICs

Cracking Open Surface Pro: Atmel touchscreen controllers

Cracking Open Surface Pro:

Cracking Open Surface Pro: Realtek ALC3230 Audio Codec

Cracking Open Surface Pro: X852699-003 REV-A PCB marking

Cracking Open Surface Pro: Microsoft 2012 PCB marking

Cracking Open Surface Pro: Completely disassembled