Microsoft Surface Pro 4 Flickering? Put It in the Freezer

Megalith

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Flickergate is documenting what appears to be a widespread issue with Microsoft’s Surface Pro 4 devices: many exhibit screen flickering, making them unusable. The worst part is that this defect tends to appear after the warranty has expired, so owners have to pay $800 for an exchange. While Microsoft remains stubborn on the issue, some have found an unconventional, albeit temporary, fix.
 
Maybe MS wouldn't have been so stubborn to fix it if the surface was ever so slightly more repair-friendly
 
After owning a Surface Pro 3 for two years, it is unlikely that I will own MS hardware again. Between keyboard connection issues, screen-yellowing, overheating, and multiple warranty repairs, it was a nightmare to own. These devices are going to have a to get a whole lot better before I ever consider one again. I was able to sell it for $500 and never looked back.

My wife also owned a Surface Book (Gen 1) for about 24 hours before deciding that it was utter garbage. She returned it and bought a Macbook, much to my dismay.

While Razer sometimes gets crap for QC, my L2016 Razer Blade has been nearly flawless - I returned my first one due to a defective screen but haven't had a problem since.
 
Website Claims: 1800+ users, $2.8 millions (average $1500ish / person)
People who have signed the petition: 388ish

My guess: affects less than 1% of all Surface 4 Pros.

I mean, yes, it totally sucks that it breaks after the warranty expires, but if this was such a huge problem, I would expect to see no less than 10%, or 1 in 10, of users being affected.


My SP4 works fine thus far...
 
A one year warranty seems kinda BS on a $1500 device. But I guess that's where they sell extended warranties.
 
A one year warranty seems kinda BS on a $1500 device. But I guess that's where they sell extended warranties.

1yr warranty is the industry norm for these things, don't you know?

You can totally buy a $3000 MacBook Pro and it too will only feature a 1yr warranty, unless you buy Apple Care (extra warranty)
 
1yr warranty is the industry norm for these things, don't you know?

You can totally buy a $3000 MacBook Pro and it too will only feature a 1yr warranty, unless you buy Apple Care (extra warranty)

Whilst 1y warranty is standard I for one would enjoy if tech companies would believe in their products more and give like 3y warranty because they know they won't fail because their awesome QCY/etc.... But that would mean consumers paying more and way to many will not for a chance it will last longer
 
Even a Seagate hard drive comes with a longer warranty...

It has been very normal for computers to have a 1 year warranty for a very long time. Aftermarket parts have also had a longer warranty for a long time. This has been one of the arguments people have used to building your own computer.

Whilst 1y warranty is standard I for one would enjoy if tech companies would believe in their products more and give like 3y warranty because they know they won't fail because their awesome QCY/etc.... But that would mean consumers paying more and way to many will not for a chance it will last longer
\

Almost all companies offer some sort of extended warranty or you can even get aftermarket ones like square trade. For a sealed up device like this I recommend a longer warranty especially one that covers accidents. That said they can be pricey.
 
$800 for an exchange? I thought even the cracked screen exchange was only $400 something...
 
I liked my SP (original), and I still use it as a backup. My main problem with it is the lack of battery replacement (it's really hard to do even if you have special equipment). I did manage to bang it into something and dent it. It became very hard to charge as the magnetic charge thingy kept falling out, I finally took a hammer to the thing and got it working again. Interestingly the case warped just enough that I can now see some light artifacts on a black screen and actually a bit of flickering, but only when the background is mostly black. I would not buy another one though, not unless the battery was replaceable and also better cooling (at least so I could play Civ 5 on it without it getting uncomfortably hot). They are a good idea, but I think for the price they charge the quality could be a bit better.
 
Got exchanged for the same issue and sold it. It is a known problem.
 
Didn't consumer reports actually refuse to recommend MS SP last year due to quality issues. Doesn't seem like much has changed.
 
Didn't consumer reports actually refuse to recommend MS SP last year due to quality issues. Doesn't seem like much has changed.
And the Microsoft fanboy army came out in force touting how everyone who's had a bad experience with the train wreck of poor execution and zero reparability that is the surface line was full of it...
 
And the Microsoft fanboy army came out in force touting how everyone who's had a bad experience with the train wreck of poor execution and zero reparability that is the surface line was full of it...

Different folks will have different experiences. I have four Surface devices I use everyday, Surface Pro 3, Surface 3 (non-pro), Surface Book 1 original and just got a 15" Surface Book 2 over Christmas. Paid for them all with my own money, for all of those around here saying I'm paid by Microsoft, I wish I were considering how much these things cost. :(

The roughest experience I've had with any of these devices was the with the Surface Book 1, it had a number of power management issues and stability issues with the detachment process that took about 5 months to get solid. Since this almost two years later it has run very solidly. The Surface 3 being an Atom is on the slow side but works very well and an inking device with OneNote. The Surface Pro 3 is getting a bit long in the tooth, it was the first Surface device I bought in November 2014. I use it as Windows Insider test machine as the battery has degraded significantly and it can run on the hot side.

I've had a very solid experience out of the box with my Surface Book 2 save for one weird bug with power management and the trackpad and ink tracking. For some reason the recommended battery level setting causes sever lag at the setting. Dropping it DOWN to battery saver and it goes away and performance is the same. Go figure. Not a cheap device and it does lack Thunderbolt 3 which for a device of this nature shouldn't be the case. But the amount of functionality that's packed into this thing is of the charts for it's size and weight and it's got great battery life in my personal use.

Of course any kind of reports of widespread reports for devices at these price points is never a good thing.
 
I have an SP 4 with the screen flicker at low light levels
I must get them to replace it
Luckily i have a 3yr NBD warranty on it....maybe I'll just fire it out the top window first
:)
 
I have an SP 4 with the screen flicker at low light levels
I must get them to replace it
Luckily i have a 3yr NBD warranty on it....maybe I'll just fire it out the top window first
:)

Exchange and sell. Not worth keeping it with a known issue that sooner or later you will have to deal with it.
 
tough wood my sp4 will stay ok. im suprised theres not much complaints for the new version i know a few peeps that have had isses with them. really hope if and when ms release the next revision they do one that alows ssd upgrade.
 
Exchange and sell. Not worth keeping it with a known issue that sooner or later you will have to deal with it.
Can't bring myself to. Not with the warranty I've on it
I can smash it twice a year and get it replaced
Can't afford a new one or a Surface Book
 
Better solution. Learn your lesson and never buy anything other than keyboards and mice from MS! (maybe not even those!)
 
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