What's new

Scratchy patches?

Nucleon

Member
Hello, after drawing for a while on my Surface Pro 3, I've noticed that the gorilla glass screen has 2 somewhat "scratchy" feeling small patches near the left of the screen. I don't feel them with fingers, I can feel them a bit with fingernails, but I feel it most prominently with the surface pen. No amount of wiping with microfiber cloth will remove them, and I'm just wondering how common this is with the SP3.

They don't get in the way much, but it is annoying to be reminded them every once in a while whenever my pen seems to catch onto them. Usually, my pen strokes are strong enough to overcome them with much resistance at all, but if I was drawing finer details, I'd definitely know they're there, and that they're in the same place. I can't see them at all either - the reflections look absolutely perfect with the screen turned off and on.

So here, I have 2 options.

1. buy an illumishield screen protector. I've heard good things from them, and it seems people feel no difference. I already have a bunch of settings, programs and files installed for my own stuff on this, so it would be somewhat of an inconvenience to return it.

2. return it for a new one - let's face it, I really hate returning products after setting them up and getting used to them, and from past experiences, doing this will make me even more paranoid of the second product, leading me to believe things such as having more defects than the one I returned, or constantly exchanging until I have a perfect production model in terms of hardware.

Let me know which option I should go for if any at all, and what you think about this. I know people have had this problem before, and if it was caused by me, how I can avoid it in the future. If anyone else has had this problem, please tell me of your experiences, and ask me any questions if you have them.

Edit: I have opened up sketchbook pro on a full screen to draw at the scratchy surfaces. the 2 most dark points are where they are, if you open up the image on fullscreen on your SP3, that's exactly where i feel the scratches with my surface pen.

ZNDOzvH.png


Edit 2: Microsoft tech support has confirmed this is a problem, and that I'm liable for a replacement through either my retailer or an RMA covered under warranty. I think I'm within my return period so I'd like to be able to work with a functional device ASAP.
 
Last edited:
I got some of those scratchy patches, too, but it hasn't bothered me too much so far.
Not sure what to make of it yet.
 
It's probably just a defect in the screen from manufacturing. I'd go in for a replacement if you're within your return period.
 
anyone else think so? I didn't get it from a microsoft store, but is there a universal return period for this product?
 
Have you considered applying a screen protector? Good luck by the way, getting one on a screen this size without dust is a challenge.
 
I've just contacted microsoft support who have confirmed my defect. They said if I can't get a replacement from my retailer, I'm still covered under warranty for an RMA request, so either way, I'm getting a new Surface, I guess :)

still rather disappointing that this had to be the result, but at least the customer support was very clear and supporting of my case.
 
Update: I don't know if it's worth mentioning since not much people have been viewing this thread, but I've succesfully replaced my surface from the retailer and the screen is flawless this time around. Something else, but the fan also seems to be a lot quieter, so two birds one stone, I suppose. Also, on a sunday, my bluetooth ultrathin keyboard seems to have arrived, and it works brill.

I should mention it's worth contacting microsoft support for any problems with your microsoft hardware, as they've already assisted me 4 times successfully and all of them solved my problems. There might be dodgy hardware sometimes, but it seems Microsoft is always on top of it if you contact them.
 
Not sure but could this be the same with what I have experienced with the two surface I've received? The spots on the screen arent visible, but with fingerprints around it you can see the affected part is immune to dirt.
 

Attachments

  • IMAG0683.jpg
    IMAG0683.jpg
    337.7 KB · Views: 480
  • IMAG0747.jpg
    IMAG0747.jpg
    358 KB · Views: 417
Back
Top