Microsoft and uBreakiFix by Asurion have teamed up to provide repair services for Surface devices that are still under warranty. This is a great win for uBreakiFix, but it also seems like a natural step forward after Xbox let the company fix its consoles.

Like Xbox consoles, people can take their Surface devices to participating uBreakiFix by Asurion stores across the country for repairs covered by the warranty. Certified technicians trained by Microsoft handle the repair services, using genuine parts and tools from the manufacturer.

This would make it much easier for everyone involved and lower the workload on Microsoft. There’s no guarantee it will be done faster, but it could be assumed that it will be. Remember that this only applies for repairs under warranty, so if you’re out of warranty, you won’t get a repair for free.

Still, you can also get repairs for out-of-warranty devices as long as Microsoft parts are available. uBreakiFix offers a lot of repairs, including fixing broken screens, keyboards, batteries, and storage drives. Users can easily book appointments online or go to participating stores without needing to schedule ahead.

As someone who takes full advantage of warranties, I can say it’s always better to schedule an appointment. The wait can be very long for no other reason than that other customers choose to come at the time you did without appointments, and you can always reschedule easily.

Dave Barbuto, the CEO of uBreakiFix by Asurion said, “Bringing in-warranty support to people’s backyards opens up a world of convenience for customers who need help fast but don’t want to void their warranty.” That makes sense. I live in a city, so there are a lot of uBreakiFix by Asurion locations, as well as stores that sell and repair Microsoft hardware. For those of you who do not, at least now you have a choice between one or the other.

The partnership uses Asurion’s supply chain to make sure there are quick repair services for everyone who needs them. Asurion claims most repairs “can be completed within a few days,” but the real win is having options. As Barbuto puts it, “Surface customers who visit our stores can have peace of mind knowing their devices are being repaired by trained experts, using high quality parts, in accordance with the manufacturer’s standards. We’re excited for these customers to have more choice in how to deal with a broken laptop or tablet, and we’re confident that expanding repair support will only improve how customers experience their favorite Surface devices.”

Asurion claims this initiative is part of a larger effort to encourage repairing devices instead of just throwing them away and buying new ones. Choosing to repair items is better for both people and the planet, and that is true. When repair services are close by, it saves customers the hassle of shipping their devices off, allowing them to get back to using their devices more quickly. That’s normally a big consideration when deciding to buy new vs repair.

There are some people who will definitely want a new device, and that is fair, too. Newer devices come with a lot of cool features and normally work a lot faster than older devices. However, I remember repairing my Macbook Air, and Apple made it run faster than before when all the company needed to do was fix the screen.

There are around 700 locations in total, and diagnostics for devices are generally free. Also, the company tends to beat local competitors’ prices, so it’s hard not to at least try out a nearby location if you have a broken surface that you don’t want to let go of just yet.

Source: Asurion