Introduction
Microsoft just revealed a 2-in-1 for those on the move—those wanting a Surface with a little less pro, and a little more go. This Surface might have a lot going for it, but there’s only one thing we care about: can you service it on the go, or will it be stopped in its tracks by tired batteries and shattered screens? Only one way to find out—ready, set, teardown!
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What you need
Video Overview
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As always, our teardown begins with a cursory in-spec-tion:
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10” IPS multi-touch display with 3:2 aspect ratio and 1800 × 1200 resolution (217 ppi)
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Dual-core 1.6 GHz Intel Pentium Gold 4415Y processor with integrated Intel HD Graphics 615
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4 GB RAM (8 GB optional)
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64 GB eMMC storage (128 GB NVMe SSD optional), with additional storage via microSDXC
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8 MP primary camera with 1080p video; 5 MP / 1080p selfie camera
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Compared to the Pro, the Go looks to have smoother curves, rounder edges, and a vaguely more iPad-y aesthetic.
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The Surface Go doesn't believe in the fewer-ports-is-more-ports trend. This tablet packs a USB-C port, headphone jack, a couple proprietary connectors, and an SD card reader.
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Peeking between the slightly redesigned hinges, we spy FCC info, the model number (1824), and storage and memory specifications.
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There's more than one way to teardown. Our way takes a while, so our friends at Creative Electron give us the X-ray version.
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Preliminary intel: two battery cells, lots of circuit board—and no visible heat pipes! Looks like the Surface has been on a low-copper diet.
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Tool used on this step:iOpener$12.99
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If we've learned one thing after five years of Surfacing, it's how to open these things.
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Our well-used iOpener brings the heat, then a suction handle and opening picks (just a few this time) attack the ample adhesive.
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The display's off, and we're pleased to see that Microsoft allowed it a fairly long leash.
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One last obstacle before the display is free—an EMI
clawshield guarding the display ZIF connector. -
With the display free, we turn our attention toward the bottom edge, and discover a few display chips in their natural environment:
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Likely MegaChips S15 series LCD timing controller
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i7248 H717690
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18996MB N746547
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KTH6212MAYS
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Tool used on this step:iFixit Adhesive Remover$19.99
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To our great surprise, the Surface Go has an immediately disconnectable battery! With no need to fully remove the motherboard, repairability is looking up.
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Or is it? Removing the battery is just like the bad ol' days—two giant pads of adhesive put up a staunch fight against our adhesive remover and plastic cards.
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The battery in the Go is a lot smaller, at 26.12 Wh, than any of its pro-level predecessors—even the similarly sized iPad 6 packs a 32.9 Wh powerbank.
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A Texas Instruments BQ40Z50 series Li-ion battery pack manager is the brains of this operation.
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Turning our attention to the Wi-Fi antennas, we fully expect to find them mangled after that hack-and-slash display separation.
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Having the display cover glass glued right over the top of the Wi-Fi antennas has wreaked havoc on many a Surface Pro repair attempt. Most times, the antennas don't survive display removal.
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This time, we have to keep looking... and looking.
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These antennas are actually tough to spot, and seem miraculously unscathed. That's one of our poor 5th-gen Surface Pro antennas up top, for comparison.
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They've definitely been redesigned—perhaps with slightly less of a nail-biting repair experience in mind?
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Tool used on this step:Manta Driver Kit - 112 Bit Driver Kit$69.95
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Our journey beneath the Surface doesn't get any easier as we move on to the motherboard.
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Thankfully there's no glue here, but we're forced to excavate our way through seemingly endless layers of shields, tape, and hidden screws in order to unearth the board.
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Finally, we relieve the motherboard of the last of its restraints, and free it from its metal and plastic prison.
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Even with the motherboard free, we keep digging, through shielding and fabric stickers, to find the silicon that lies hidden underneath.
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At last, we're rewarded for our hard work with a treasure trove of silicon:
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Intel Pentium 4415Y processor
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SK Hynix H26M74002HMR 64 GB eMMC5.1 NAND flash memory
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2x SK Hynix H9CCNNNBKTAL 16 Gb LPDDR3 SDRAM (4 GB total)
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Texas Instruments BQ25700A battery buck-boost charge controller
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ON Semiconductor NCP81216 phase controller
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Qualcomm QCA6174A Wi-Fi/Bluetooth SoC
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Parade Technologies PS87430 (likely USB host switch)
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All that silicon, and yet this Go is fan-less and heatpipe-less. This thin copper shield and some thermal paste will have to do the heat sinking for this would-be PC. (Then again, you can always run it in a freezer...)
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It's certainly a radical departure from those thick copper tentacles we found on the 5th-gen Pro, on the right. Hopefully it'll be enough for the Go's power-sipping, non-Turbo'd processor.
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Now to pluck the final strings of this teardown. Such as: the Windows Hello camera, the 5 MP front-facing camera, and the 8 MP rear-facing camera (complete with piggybacked LED) all sitting in a row.
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Finally, the modular microSDXC port with Realtek 5227S card reader controller—which is technically upgradable storage!
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- The smaller form factor seems to make the glass easier to remove without breaking, but it's still terrifyingly hard.
- If this is expected to replace a PC, the lack of upgradability will severely limit the device's lifespan.
- The lack of modularity, especially on high-wear ports, makes repairs unnecessarily expensive.
- Adhesive holds many components in place, including the display and battery.
- Replacement of any part requires removal of the display assembly, an easy (and expensive) part to damage.
Final Thoughts
Repairability Score
(10 is easiest to repair)