It’s a repair revolution for Microsoft‘s Surface line. With the launch of the Surface Pro 10 and Surface Laptop 6 for businesses, the tech giant is making a concerted effort to improve the repairability of its flagship devices, a stark departure from the company’s previous design philosophies.

For years, Microsoft’s Surface devices were notorious for their lack of repairability. The original Surface Laptop, introduced in 2017, was lambasted by repair advocates like iFixit for its “glue-filled monster” of a design, earning a dismal repairability score of zero out of ten.

This trend of sealed, difficult-to-repair devices was emblematic of the industry at the time, with manufacturers prioritizing sleek, thin profiles over serviceability. However, as concerns over e-waste and the environmental impact of disposable electronics grew, the tide began to shift.

The first cracks in Microsoft’s sealed design approach appeared with the Surface Pro X in 2019. While still far from perfect, the Arm-powered device featured a removable SSD and more modular components, hinting at a potential change in direction.

The collaboration with iFixit in 2021, which saw Microsoft offer official Surface repair tools through the repair advocacy group’s website, further cemented the company’s commitment to repairability.

The Surface Pro 9, released in 2022, was a significant leap forward, earning an impressive repairability score of seven out of ten from iFixit – a testament to Microsoft’s evolving design philosophy.

With the Surface Pro 10 for Business and Surface Laptop 6 for Business, Microsoft has taken repairability to new heights. These devices are dubbed the “most easily serviceable Surface devices ever” by Nancie Gaskill, general manager of the Surface business.

The Surface Pro 10 for Business features QR codes on internal components, as well as internal markings for the Surface Pro 10 for Business, making it easier to identify screws and driver types for various components. The list of replaceable parts is extensive, including the display module, removable SSD, battery, motherboard, Surface Connect port, thermal module, microphone module, solid-state drive door, speakers, enclosure, front and rear cameras, power and volume buttons, and the kickstand.

Similarly, the Surface Laptop 6 for Business boasts an impressive array of replaceable components, such as the display assembly, keyboard, SSD, battery, motherboard, Surface Connect port, thermal module, audio jack, speakers, touchpad, enclosure, and feet.

Microsoft’s push for repairability is part of a broader industry trend. Lenovo, for instance, has recently partnered with iFixit to make select ThinkPad laptops more repair-friendly, with clearly marked SSD and RAM slots, as well as QR codes and indicators highlighting the necessary screws for disassembly.