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Above all else, it’s probably the keyboard-come-cover of Microsoft’s Surface that has garnered most attention since the tablet was first announced. Ironic, then, that some reports are cropping up that suggest it—quite literally—seems to be coming apart at the seams now it’s seeing some action.
Reports are popping up on Surface Forums which suggest that one of the edges of the tablet’s keyboard can easily split open to expose a wire just days after purchase.
The Guardian reports that the problem has been observed by a number of users, including Tom Warren from The Verge. Each time, it’s the same:
The cover, which has an integral keyboard, begins to split at its seam where the device attaches magnetically to the main computer.
It’s not obvious yet if this is a widespread problem, or if it’s down to a small, faulty batch of keyboards. As the Guardian points out, though, posts on the forum suggest that users in both the US and the UK have reported the problem, so it’s likely more of a problem than Microsoft would like.
Given where the fault occurs—on the side of the keyboard which attaches to the tablet—it seems likely that the problem could be a result of mechanical stress. If that’s the case, the cover isn’t doing too good a job of being a cover. If you’ve experienced a similar problem with your Surface, let us know. [Surface Forums via The Guardian]
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Microsoft, just copy iPad Smart Covers and save yourself the hassle but lose millions in a patent lawsuit.
Microsoft and Apple have an agreement not to sue each other so this wouldn’t happen.
People said when this product was first shown that MS would find a way to fuck it up. I guess they were right.
Yeah, from the beginning it didn’t look like the integrity of the canvas keyboard would hold up.
You mean work hardening of the material where movement of opening/closing would inherently work the material into a slightly different state to cause a fault right?
No, because the article refers to the body of the cover, not the metal of the hinge. Plastic doesn’t work harden…
Mine arrived last week, and the keyboard cover did indeed start to come apart at the seams within half an hour. The problem occurs when you fold the cover around to the back of the device – this puts stress on the seam, and the covering comes untucked. You can just push it back in again with a fingernail, but it comes straight out again the next time you flip the cover round. Hard to believe that MS didn’t realise that people might actually use a tablet with the cover folded round to the back…
Knew it! Microsoft is incapable of making anything good. I’m sure they knew this problem existed. Obviously they’ve tested it. They must’ve thought “what the heck” and went and sold them anyway. Shows a lack of concern for the consumer and a lax attitude towards brand image.
“Microsoft is incapable of making anything good.”
That’s a bit fallible. Windows XP was an excellent OS. Their Sidewinder for gaming was good too.
Okay, they were good..
Then the world moved on.
Poppycock.
From the top of my head: I just upgraded my Windows images to Win8 and it is very good indeed. MS Office is still the best Office suite out there and has been for aeons. They gave haptic game controllers to the masses. They produced, and still do, some of the best mice. Kinect. That touch screen table. Surface. Mobile stuff that even Apple used in their stores until as recently as last year. Xbox.
Lmao! BOOOOM! now pipe down prozac
bovvered
Yep, I’ve had this on my surface, along with the logo coming off the back of the device (the windows logo has chipped off looking pretty crappy).
Saying that, I’ve been on the phone to Microsoft and despite these being cosmetic issues, they have agreed to ship me a replacement unit free of charge.
So yea, sucks but come on, that’s good customer service to give me a replacement!
Jesus Christ almighty. How in hell did they spend so long on the sound it makes and not manage to do this themselves. Incredibly poor testing if they didn’t realise, and stupid of them if they did and just let it go anyway. This is fairly horrifying given how much Microsoft has riding on this product.
*BIG FACEPALM*