Microsoft Surface Pro 2 Teardown

Written By: Sam Goldheart
Published: 23/10/13
  • Comments: 38

Microsoft Surface Pro 2 Teardown

Published: 23/10/13

Teardown

Introduction

Today, Microsoft adds a new surface to their tablet line. No, not a third dimension—leave those 3D glasses at the theater. Instead, let your friends at iFixit break out the X-ray specs and show you what's inside the new Surface Pro 2.

Want to take a look-see into more iFixit fun? Peer into our Facebook, look through our rose-tinted Instagram lens, or peek at our Twitter.

  1. DDASMv3jFFOPIUCZ
    DDASMv3jFFOPIUCZ
    CjfaHGruUdCNmJZA

    • What's beneath the surface of Microsoft's latest tablet? A fair number of puns, but also some familiar, and improved, hardware:

    • 10.6 inch ClearType Full HD Display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080

    • 4th generation Intel® Core™ i5 Processor

    • Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g/n) + Bluetooth 4.0 Low Energy technology

    • 64/128 GB or 256/512 GB storage capacity

    • 4 GB RAM (models with 64/128 GB storage) or 8 GB RAM (models with 256/512 GB storage)

    • Two 720p HD cameras, front and rear-facing

    • Full-size USB 3.0, Mini DisplayPort, and microSDXC card reader

  2. SoTitk4eH4HCCFIK
    SoTitk4eH4HCCFIK
    kCWrOacNbVdKBEtx
    MEqvpOgsnqKDasAZ

    • The Surface Pro 2 sports a 2-stage kickstand, with options for a 24 or 40-degree viewing angle.

    • Oh, how kickstands have progressed since we were kids …

    • The kickstand is secured with two screws. Happily, our new Pro Tech Screwdriver Set includes the perfect T5 Torx driver to reach in and get this teardown started.

    • The kickstand comes off with little fuss, but if the previous model is any indication, repairability issues will soon begin to … show themselves.

  3. hBle2tvMWTgwacCW
    hBle2tvMWTgwacCW
    Z6GM2yRAedPLgmIV
    SBhStJbSqoHOFhTC

    • As pacifists, we prefer our trusty iOpener. But when pushed, we're not afraid to push back with the big (heat) guns.

    • Time to poke a plethora of picks under the now-molten adhesive. The use of oodles of dainty picks over brute force ensures our ribbon cables' protection.

    • Let the record show that you can fit at least 21 iFixit Opening Picks under the display of the Surface Pro 2.

    • We slowly but surely free the Surface Pro 2's display, trapped like a baby diplodocus in a treacherous tar pit of black adhesive.

    Well, that looks incredibly gross.

    satidragon -

  4. ISqBSSEK35SutNcL
    ISqBSSEK35SutNcL
    FuvLgPLf5X6WQqvJ
    F2KSZLUEswfd3MNr

    • We flick aside four ribbon cables, and with that, this tablet's internals are revealed to the world.

    • At first glance things look eerily similar to last time, although the motherboard is a pretty new shade of ...blue? Green?

    • Before we can poke or prod any components, we'll first have to extract the dozens of screws holding this sucker together.

    • And whaddya know—it's the same 52 screws (of 3 different sizes) seen in the previous generation, holding in a plastic bezel and two metal brackets.

    • As much as we love screws, 52 seems like overkill, and we've only just scratched the...exterior of this device.

    Beware of two ribbon cables secured by adhesive to the frame that are connected to the screen as well. These are for the digitizer and I broke mine

    Dave Siu -

    I bought the ifixit Minnow tool set that comes with T5, T4, and T3 torx…and these T3 do NOT fit. Ya might have better luck with T2.

    Paul Peavyhouse -

    What do you mean "flick aside"? Show me how the cables are secured to the motherboard. I broke the tab on the center cable.

    Kent Burel -

    Would be good to show how to disconnect the 4 ribbon cables. Seems most videos and including this site skips the basic information.

    David Chang -

  5. AEyhtEc4LPBvBIro
    AEyhtEc4LPBvBIro
    4CEaIrQritsSDEM3
    pJ5LUoALji3dgKts

    • Finally, the motherboard is free and we can get at the fun stuff.

    • Changes to the cooling methods from the original Surface Pro are strictly software-based: the fans remain the same, but run less frequently to minimize power usage.

    • If you fancy a little copper with your tablet, the Surface Pro 2 has it: a notebook-worthy heat sink rounds out the cooling.

    The one I’m working on has 10 different sized screws, requiring 3 different sized torx bits. The batteries in this swelled up so big they popped the screen off. It’s a little annoying that they want you to adopt something as a replacement for a traditional PC that’s only going to last as long as the buried in battery. I would not recommend fixing this hardware in the future. Like most things these days, unfortunately, throwing it away may well be the best option.

    Kyle Legg -

  6. 6EKeEemCxG2XGGL4
    6EKeEemCxG2XGGL4
    FJF5snZQroCSEVHG
    g3TSEtLy4aJAOeov

    • We've got storage! This time around, Microsoft shifts from a Micron/Marvell combination to one single IC manufacturer, SK Hynix.

    • SK Hynix HFS128G3AMNB 128 GB mSATA 6.0 Gbps SSD, using:

    • SK Hynix H27QEGDVEBLR 32 GB NAND Flash (four ICs for 128 GB total)

    • SK Hynix H5PS2G63JMR 32 MB DDR2 SDRAM

    • Link A Media LM87800AA SSD Controller

  7. MtAMmHIbSkp4nXtM

    • The ICs on the front side of the motherboard may look like little black squares on the (ahem) outside, but underneath they house some high-tech brainpower:

    • SK Hynix H9CCNNN8JTML 8 Gb (1 GB) LPDDR3 RAM (total of 4 * 1 GB = 4 GB)

    • Atmel MXT154E Touchscreen Controllers

    • Atmel UC256L3U 256KB Flash, 32-bit AVR Microcontroller

    • Winbond 25X40CL1G 4M-bit Serial Flash

    • Parade PS6625

    • Realtek ALC3230 Audio Codec

    • Atmel U1320J

    Does anyone know what the product number for the 8GB Ram Memory for the Surface Pro 2 or better yet the Logic Board Number? TIA!

    Teogenes B Diores Jr -

  8. ZMCBmnR2YWkmyTBd

    • Yet more ICs adorn this side of the motherboard:

    • Realtek RTS5304

    • MXIC MX25L4006EZNI 4Mbit SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface) Flash

    • Novatek NT96132QG

    • Texas Instruments TPS5162 (ACTIVE) 2-Phase DCAP+ Step-Down Controller

    • ITE IT8528VG

    • Texas Instruments TPS51367 Integrated FET Converter with Ultra-Low Quiescent

  9. pyysiaSBiXC5g4ft

    • The ICy party continues on the back side of the motherboard:

    • Intel Core i5-4200U Processor

    • Novatek NT96132QG

    • Marvell Avastar 88W8797 Integrated 2x2 WLAN/Bluetooth/FM Single-Chip SoC

    • Winbond 25Q128FVSQ Serial Flash presumably the next generation of the previous 25Q64FV

    • Texas Instruments TPS51367 Integrated FET Converter with Ultra-Low Quiescent

    • Winbond 25X05CL Serial Flash

    Is there any indication that they updated / changed the MicroSDXC slot vs. the Surface RT? Like adding extra pins to read UHS-1 / 2 cards at faster speeds?

    somedorque -

    I agree, any news about this?

    Raphael Nocherier -

    "The display assembly consists of a fused glass panel and LCD, and is extremely difficult to remove and replace."

    LOL! That's a good thing. It's called an optically bonded screen, and it's vastly preferable to a non-bonded screen, for obvious reasons.

    Besides, what idiot would try and repair his tablet. Send the thing in and get it fixed.

    Hubert Hammack -

    do you guys have any idea what kind of protocol the (cover) connector has?

    tfBullet -

    @Hubert Hammack. How long lasts a battery? 2-3 years! So I should throw away my surface, just the battery is damaged? Or I have to pay 300$ or more. I'm quite sure, that in 3 years, I can buy a new surface for that money. So we are just wasting again the resources of earth.

    And why the !@#$ I can't change the SSD. Of course, so that I have to pay 1800$ to get the biggest 512GB SDD, instead of 899$ for 64GB. 900$ for 512GB SSD??? There is no excuse for this. It is just stupid and greedy. When MS is able to use 52 screws, why the !@#$, they can't use 4 of then for dismounting the display?!

    Helli Hellsfoul -

    Samsung 840 EVO 1TB mSATA SSD is only $859.

    Double capacity. Same price.

    Ronnie -

    Hi guys,

    I noticed the default SSD is a 1.8" mSATA, but, for instance, the Samsung 840 EVO is a 2.0" mSATA. Do you happen to know if a 2" one would fit (haven't open the Surface Pro 2 yet)?

    Adi V -

    I use my Surface Pro 2 with an mSATA Samsung 850 EVO ever since the original Liteonit SSD fried. Works like a charm.

    lubarts -

    Hi,

    Who manufactured rear camera and what is the model?

    marcin -

  10. K2niAACEarnaRhVG
    K2niAACEarnaRhVG
    5FcgVpg64ssBc5MX
    n2uPi6YnlWZ3n4aU

    • Microsoft still adheres the battery to the rear case and still warns users not to remove it.

    • Pretty ironic, considering they clearly know their way around a user-friendly means of securing a battery—screws.

    • If you're looking for the secret of the Surface Pro 2's juiced-up battery life, look elsewhere: this is the exact same "Escalade" 42 Wh battery we saw earlier this year.

    • Instead, look to better power management and the Haswell i5 chip, which ensures that the tablet drinks in moderation.

    • The two battery cells are wrangled by a Texas Instruments BQ30Z55 cowpoke battery pack manager.

  11. 6nAUMgJTq364IiXu
    6nAUMgJTq364IiXu
    aomGWGZYvGLkPdUR
    GqsskmBNnIUrRU2I

    • Microsoft Surface Pro 2 Repairability Score: 1 out of 10 (10 is easiest to repair)

    • The battery is not soldered to the motherboard—so it can be replaced without soldering, if not without great difficulty.

    • The SSD can be replaced, but not without first risking damage to the tablet simply by opening it.

    • There are over 90 screws inside this device. Mechanical fasteners are great, but frankly, we draw the line at 89.

    • The display assembly consists of a fused glass panel and LCD, and is extremely difficult to remove and replace.

    • Tons of adhesive hold everything in place, including the display and battery.

    • The delicate and arduous opening procedure leaves no room for mistakes: one slip-up, and you'll likely shear one of the four ribbon cables in the edge of the display.

    I have a SP2, Can you remove the digitizer from the glass

    David Rouse -

Author

Sam Goldheart

Member since: 19/10/12

468688 Reputation

21 comments

Who manufacturedthe antennas?

Geoff Schulteis -

Thanks. I 'll stick with a touch screen ultrabook or a PC. Both of which offer better performance and higher levels of functionality along with the ease of repair. People are being sold a bill of goods with these tablets.

Will Smith -

Is the display the same as the Surface 1?

Richard Lin -

as far as I can tell the screen/digitizers look identical. It would be nice if the surface 2 pictures were high enoughresolution to confirm this- but they are not. Since nobody is willing to pull these apart based on the glue/ and very expensive replacement part ($300.00!!!) we will have to wait and see.

Greg Beeblebrox -

Can you post the weight of the components. It would be very interesting to compare the weight of components of this 2lb machine vs 1lb ipad air

Vishal Shah -

Do you guys can tell me, weather the charging current is limited by the battery itself or if there is a charging controller limiting the current coming from a charger (using a different one)?

Julius Biedermann -

Hi,

I stumbled across this site, looking for an answer to this question: can I buy a cheaper MS Surface Pro 2 and have a friend add more storage and memory later? You have answered that question wonderfully well: Not a chance.

Thanks. Your site is the best.

Kate -

Hello, I would like to know regarding the surface pro 2 where do I purchase the glass display?

Which would be the best way of replacing the display glass?

Would it be best to do the heat gun way or is their a different method?

Donald Flemino -

With my four packs of iFixIt picks and some locally-procured tools I tacked the job of replacing a stuck power switch on my Surface Pro 2. It is every bit the challenge described above. The good news, I was able to complete the repair. The bad news, I pushed too hard on one of the picks and severed a connection under the digitizer and now the left 1/3 of the screen doesn't respond to touch. Bummer. I'm working around it by resizing windows and moving the onscreen keyboard a lot but I might need to go the extra mile and replace the screen. But following these steps I am no longer frightened about tackling that.

Rob Borucki -

On the chance that you might see this message, where were you able to find a replacement power button assembly for the surface pro 2?

Robert Higgs -

my new recently replaced surface pro has died again just like the first one which was sent back and replaced nothing working ive checked all the magnetic plug ins and no response or operations this will be second time ive lost all my information. who do you contact. thanks lynn Harvey.

hivvy43 -

There are a lot of comments about the touchscreen cable glued onto the screen being ripped out. I just opened one based on this guide and I must say the guide was a big help. I took my time and avoided tearing any cables. I started on the side of the camera which is opposite from the cable. My plan was open the three sides and just lift the softened tar tape on the cable side. I used a hair dryer and worked like a charm. Also, the 20 something picks were very very helpful if not crucial in keeping the screen from sticking back on. Another Thing is that the screws are of many different sizes, not fun. Overall, it took me about 15-20 mins to removed the screen safely without any cable damaged. Replaced my dead ssd, now up and running again. The only thing is the screen does stick back on with the old tar tape but will not sit completely flush one before and some area will have that popping issue where tar tape is missing. Still, running great with all functionalities. Thanks ifixit.

Bach -

Maybe it is just the one I tore down to replace the logic board but I needed a T2 torx to remove the screws on the brackets on both sides the teardown guide says T3,T4,T5

Louis Agresti -

Wow... I'm not certain I'd want to tackle opening the tablet at risk of damaging it. I think I'll continue to use it "plugged-in" all the time as a "compact" desktop PC (it does work great with standard desktop peripherals - using a powered USB hub) and buy a newer Surface Pro 4 (I really need the bigger screen, over 45 years of age now and need reading glasses - d'oh)!

Since this thing has so many screws - AND of differing sizes... when I need to keep track of where screws are supposed to go in something I take apart, I take a picture (or use my flatbed scanner, where possible), print the pic and stick the screw into the printout where they were in the device I pulled it from. It REALLY helps to make sure you don't mix-up where the screws are supposed to go back!

When I get a better desktop PC, I may decide to replace the battery in my Pro 2... when the risk of damaging (or destroying) it will be less of a loss. :-)

Google Account -

Has anyone had issues replacing the screen on one of these? Put a new one on my Sp2 the other day, and now have a Red LED permanently on the MB. Hard Reset doesn't do any anything, can't get any display or USB output. I've tested the screen on another wreck and it works fine.

Scott Clark -

Sugoidesunesankouninarimasita japan

Jun oikawa -

Excellent guide. My Microsoft Surface Pro 2 now sports a 240GB SSD and is running smoothly with openSUSE Tumbleweed (Linux) and life is good ! Thanks a bunch.

Oh and a tip… try to use the right screwdriver otherwise you might have to CAREFULLY use a vicegrip to rotate the screw out… NOT FUN and very SCARY (i.e. may junk your motherboard): TLDR: USE CORRECT SCREWDRIVER ALWAYS.

Cahao Vien -

Hi all, i just followed the instructions and replaced the SSD but after I reassembled the device. The surface wouldn’t work at all , i have tried pressing the power button for 30 sec with no luck .

Please help ….

thanks

Omar -

Can you guys do an instructional video of the tear down of the keyboard for the Surface Pro 2 please? The battery in that has started to bubble and I've been looking for a video or a step by step process of how to replace that.

Kyle Teter -

Anyone know the maximum SSD size? I just realized it's replaceable when I opened my SP2 up to replace the battery. Technically, the battery opened the SP2 for me.

Also, what's the best way to remove the old adhesive before applying new adhesive? I've tried Good Gone on the bezel and it does soften it up a little, but not enough. I need something easier and less messy for the adhesive that's still on the back of the touchscreen.

bbotts -