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Fixing an Xbox or Surface device is about to get much, much easier
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Microsoft Surface andXboxconsole users could soon have more options for fixing their expensive products, with the company committing to explore giving users the right to repair.
As part of its commitment to environmental sustainability, Microsoft has agreed to look into how increasing the access to the parts and knowledge needed to properly repair products can help.
Currently, owners of products like theSurface Prolaptops can only be repaired by authorised service providers, which can be less convenient for users than using an independent technician, or repairing themselves without invalidating the device warranty.
Now, thanks to Microsoft’s own shareholders teaming up with the You Sow non-profit – which advocates for shareholders seeking to ensure corporations make changes for the greater good – Microsoft is responding positively, which is potentially great news for users.
This will eventually help users ensure their devices are repaired rather than replaced in many cases, which leads to more unnecessary electronic waste.
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“This is an encouraging step by Microsoft to respond to the upswell of federal and state activity in the right to repair movement,”saidKelly McBee, waste program coordinator at As You Sow (viaVICE). “Excitingly, this agreement will begin to allow consumers to repair their Microsoft devices outside the limited network of authorised repair shops.”
According to the press release issued on Thursday, Microsoft will now commit to:
It’s not clear whether any resolution will affect Microsoft’s policy in the UK as this seems US-centric for now, but we’ll see how this plays out.
Chris Smith is a freelance technology journalist for a host of UK tech publications, including Trusted Reviews. He’s based in South Florida, USA. …
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Founded in 2003, Trusted Reviews exists to give our readers thorough, unbiased and independent advice on what to buy.
Today, we have millions of users a month from around the world, and assess more than 1,000 products a year.
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
