What you need to know
- JerryRigEverything took apart a Surface Pro 11 in a recent video.
- Microsoft’s new 2-in-1 device passed the developer’s famous bend test well, especially when compared to the iPad Pro.
- The video also highlights the repairability of the Surface Pro 11.
Microsoft’s Surface Pro 11 was recently stress tested in a teardown by noted developer JerryRigEverything (Zack Nelson). The new convertible PC withstood bending, withstood a flame, and was subjected to scratch testing. Nelson narrated the video while disassembling and testing the Surface Pro 11, providing insight into the device’s design and comparisons to the latest iPad Pro.
Surface Pro 11 and iPad Pro are not exactly the same type of device. Microsoft’s 2-in-1 device runs a computer operating system and can be described as a computer that can be used like a computer. The iPad Pro, on the other hand, is a tablet that can be used as a PC. Each device has strengths and weaknesses, and we now know these for another category: resistance to bending.
Nelson’s teardowns include a bend test, where he presses his thumbs against the device to break the respective piece of hardware. The Surface Pro 11 passed the bend test, while the iPad Pro only passed the bend test on the horizontal axis.
The bend test results aren’t too surprising considering the Surface Pro 11 is 0.37 inches (0.94 cm) thick, while the iPad Pro is 0.2 inches (0.51 cm). Microsoft’s 2-in-1 is significantly thicker and also has a kickstand that likely increases stability. Apple’s latest iPad Pro is the company’s thinnest product ever, beating even the old iPod nano in this category.
It’s not surprising that the iPad Pro bends under stress and the Surface Pro 11 holds up better in the same test. What’s interesting, however, is the exact method by which the devices withstand the force. The iPad Pro doesn’t break when bent horizontally, but it does when bent vertically. In contrast, the Surface Pro 11 withstands the force along both axes.
After Nelson put the Surface Pro 11 through the usual stress tests, lighters, and scratches, he devoted much of the video to the device’s repairability. His teardown videos always include a look at the inside of the device he opens, but the Surface Pro 11’s repairability is clear to see.
The Surface Pro line was once a glue-filled monster, but over the years it has improved dramatically in terms of repairability. Parts are easier to remove and glue is no longer an issue. Microsoft has also added QR codes to components that link to repair guides that were available the day the Surface Pro 11 was released.
“I’ve never seen a device that’s so repair-friendly,” Nelson said. He also pointed out that iFixit sells replacement parts for the Surface Pro 11. Speaking of iFixit, the site gave the Surface Pro 11 an 8/10 on its tablet repair scale. The Surface Pro 11 even worked again when it was reassembled, which is common in general repairs but doesn’t always happen in teardown videos.
Nelson’s video also gives us a chance to get a close-up look at the Snapdragon X Elite. The processor shines and reflects Nelson’s waving hand in the video.
