Should I return my SP4?

[Steveborough]

<rant> Exchanged mine today on the chance my original SP4 was a lemon; that those who've posted they have no issues, had a better put together device...no fat chance!!! New device doesn't charge, windows reports the battery is at 0% and the device immediately powers off when I unplug. Ive spent 3 hours troubleshooting with MS support (WOW! they're special) and am fed-up. Call it just my (bad) luck but in all my years computing (30 years since my Apple IIc; and have been a computer geek since), I have never experienced this amount of hardships with a device. SP2 was the same and took months to stabilize. One more exchange and the pending firmware refresh (hopefully arriving next week) is all I can take! You have much to learn Microsoft. It saddens me how low the bar has fallen in this post-Jobsian world. </rant>

 

[decider]

<rant> Exchanged mine today on the chance my original SP4 was a lemon; that those who've posted they have no issues, had a better put together device...no fat chance!!! New device doesn't charge, windows reports the battery is at 0% and the device immediately powers off when I unplug. Ive spent 3 hours troubleshooting with MS support (WOW! they're special) and am fed-up. Call it just my (bad) luck but in all my years computing (30 years since my Apple IIc; and have been a computer geek since), I have never experienced this amount of hardships with a device. SP2 was the same and took months to stabilize. One more exchange and the pending firmware refresh (hopefully arriving next week) is all I can take! You have much to learn Microsoft. It saddens me how low the bar has fallen in this post-Jobsian world. </rant>

I am curious to know what lot number you have on this most recent SP4 purchase

 

[Steveborough]

1547. Light-bleed all over the place!

 

[decider]

Mine are from 1549 and 1550

 

[Steveborough]

New exchange Lot:1552, worst lightbleed, 4th SP4!

 

[decider]

New exchange Lot:1552, worst lightbleed, 4th SP4!

That is so sad to hear. Like how bad is it when you say worst?

 

[thatdennis]

Got my 1st SP4, i5/8gb/256gb, no light bleed at all, nor any problems encountered (no display driver crashes, random rebooting or any of the like). It's of lot 1550, which means it's more of a luck of the draw.

But OP, I would agree with zkey, you are paying your own money to buy a product, so you should really hold the product to a high standard. If it doesn't work for you NOW, or it has problems currently, either exchange it or return it. No matter if the company will promise a "better future", don't buy/believe it since you'll be disappointed in the end.

 

[decider]

I am in the process of powering up my latest SP4 (256, 8 i5). I will let you know how this one is

 

[decider]

Well looks like this latest SP4 I just setup moments ago falls into the category of a must return. I have two other devices, but they do not have the light bleed issue. I can't believe how bad light bleed is on this latest one I setup. Back to the store it goes.

 

[anachrotech]

Got my 1st SP4, i5/8gb/256gb, no light bleed at all, nor any problems encountered (no display driver crashes, random rebooting or any of the like). It's of lot 1550, which means it's more of a luck of the draw.

But OP, I would agree with zkey, you are paying your own money to buy a product, so you should really hold the product to a high standard. If it doesn't work for you NOW, or it has problems currently, either exchange it or return it. No matter if the company will promise a "better future", don't buy/believe it since you'll be disappointed in the end.

Might have been their best lot. Mine is also an i5/8gb/256gb lot 1550 and absolutely no issues so far.

 

[decider]

Might have been their best lot. Mine is also an i5/8gb/256gb lot 1550 and absolutely no issues so far.

This last one I receive with bad light bleed is from 1550

 

[anachrotech]

This last one I receive with bad light bleed is from 1550

Guess I just got lucky then. (that usually doesn't happen to me :smile

 

[zkyevolved]

Guess I just got lucky then. (that usually doesn't happen to me :smile

Yeah I usually have bad luck, but every since one of my SP4s have been in really good shape, except for maybe a TINY TINY bit of light bleed. My 1550 i5/8gb is great... Happy!

 

[decider]

Yeah I usually have bad luck, but every since one of my SP4s have been in really good shape, except for maybe a TINY TINY bit of light bleed. My 1550 i5/8gb is great... Happy!

I just got back from my local best buy store and exchanged. This one seems to be better. I let my wife evaluate, best to have second opinions. But from what I can see this replacement looks better. I see in upper left corner on boot a small amount of light bleed but when I use one of the youtube back light bleed videos, it seems to look ok

 

[Steveborough]

OMG! Also, since this is my 4th SP4, Best Buy has flagged me for repeated returns!

 

[Grimmric]

Wow. I have an "old" SP4 with build 1545 and i have tried the backlit bleed test with the youtube video.
And i have a hard time seeing any bleed at all.
So strange. I wonder what the difference is.
Different factorys or something?

 

[decider]

I think you tend to see more bleed at startup/post cause during post brightness is set to highest

 

[Steveborough]

I think you tend to see more bleed at startup/post cause during post brightness is set to highest

Yes, but still very unacceptable; fairly obvious while watching movies or doing any photoshop work. Monday at BestBuy should be interesting!

 

[decider]

Yes, but still very unacceptable; fairly obvious while watching movies or doing any photoshop work. Monday at BestBuy should be interesting!

You do know that Best Buy can refuse a return? Usually this does happen where you have what they feel is a person returning without cause. And this is because many of the staff there probably have not purchased these products to appreciate the issue as we do.

 

[Steveborough]

Yep, that's why I wrote "interesting" I'm already flagged in their system. But the last one didn't even turn on unless plugged in, I shouldn't be penalized for that.

I do have to say, this one's thermals are leaps and bounds better, fan has been on once in the 3 days I've had it. The worst bleed on any screen I've purchased in 15 years is reason enough to go back tho.