Yellow tint on Surface Book Screen

Welcome to the future way things should be!

My XPS 17 apparently had some kind of mother board power issue, although I didn't notice it. I was alerted by Dell.

I could have chosen to have them come out and replace the motherboard, but I instead chose to have them ship a new one to me. It's in a box waiting to be replaced, although as I said I didn't notice the issue. I'll get round to replacing it eventually.

The point is, this is the service you expect. Microsoft could learn a lot from Dell! I'm considering to extend my warranty, which is not something I usually do. I think the cost of the warranty is much less than the inconvenience of being without my XPS (main PC).

It's amazingly telling that they have a three year window for swollen batteries... They are obviously failing so often that they've decided they can't afford to keep replacing the machines unless they are within that period of time.

If their computer wasn't so mind-numbingly difficult to repair, I wouldn't ever expect them to cover such a problem... but they created this issue by gluing their products shut with industrial-strength glue. It's not even getting inside, either... the batteries themselves are super-glued down as well. Removing them was super nerve-wracking, as puncturing either of the two puffy pouches during this process would have potentially burned my house down, and/or injured me directly.

I spent a good 45 minutes or so either on the phone with Microsoft support, or taking pictures and videos to meticulously document my issue at their request. I was told there's a good chance I'll be offered a Surface 2 or 3 for the ~$500 service fee.

Instead, they "offered" me the exact same computer for $600 (599, actually, because apparently they like to think their customers are idiots.) So a $600 solution from Microsoft support for a $30 problem.

I told support I won't be taking the offer, I bought a heat gun, and spent a few hours ripping the thing apart, replacing the battery, and putting it all back together (didn't damage a thing, amazingly enough, not even the old screen which ended up having a broken touch-screen that had nothing to do with the battery).

Now I'm dealing with the replacement screen having those yellow spots, though... so I don't know... these things are just a black hole of frustration and disappointment, I guess. Luckily, there are some great laptops out there these days. My next purchase was going to be a larger Surface book, but now it's going to be an ASUS or a Razer product most likely. These are going to have much better graphics cards, and innovative features that are decidedly more practical than what these offer.

My own impression is that it's catch-as-catch-can: some help, some absolutely refuse -- which is the height of absurdity in a company that supposedly has standards and policies. Is there are chance you could round up those were successful in getting relief and throwing it in the face of the recalcitrant? The more pressure, the better. This has been disgustingly unconscionable. I will *never* by Microsoft hardware, not matter what the (Paid) reviews are.

I have been in contact with MS Support four times in the last few days and still waiting for resolution. I've been kicked up to a 'Replacement Specialist' and waiting to get an update. It looks like they may send me a replacement. (Fingers crossed). So far I've given them my contact information 3 separate times, uploaded a video and photos of the problem to their customer support portal, spoken to 4 different customer support staff (and been disconnected by 2 more).

Here's what I've gathered after multiple conversations and my own research online:

1. The battery inside the unit is expanding, overheating and pushing on the screen. That is causing the yellowing and a growing bulge on the screen.
2. This has been a common and known issue not only with the Surface Book, but other Surface laptops.
3. Normal warranty on the units is 1 year, but there is an unwritten extended 3 year warranty if you're having this issue. However, for people who've had their units longer than 3 years, it seems that MS is offering to fix or replace (with a refurbished unit) for about $600.
4. Was advised to discontinue using the unit and to not recharge it.
5. Since MS has closed its stores, support is available only by phone 1-800-642-7676 or online chat 

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/contact/virtual-agent/

To be continued......

UPDATE 1: Weeks and many more phone calls, chats and emails later, I am still waiting for the special return packaging they said they'd mail me for sending in my defective laptop. Their instructions stipulate that I MUST use this packaging because of the hazardous condition of the laptop. What was supposed to arrive in 2-3 days is now taking almost 4 weeks. MEANWHILE, their instructions also warn that if I do not return the laptop within 30 days of the original service order, they will cancel it. Hmmmm, sounds like a trick to me. I got a customer service specialist to email me a statement saying my case will not get cancelled due to their delays. We'll see......To be continued.

UPDATE 2: The return box finally arrived after almost 4 weeks. I mailed the defective unit back and in about a week, I received a replacement. The unit looks like new, but I'm sure it's a refurbished one that maybe only had small issues.... So far, it seems to be working. Although I did notice that the screen is not 100% flat (tested with a straight edge). Hopefully this will not become a bigger problem. There's a slight bit of light bleed the screen, but not bad. So, in total, it took about 1-1/2 months to resolve.

Footnote: I only fell within the 3-year free replacement warranty because my original Surfacebook had a problem 5 months after purchase (a one inch section of the touchscreen stopped working) and MS replaced it. That re-set the warranty clock. Otherwise I would've fallen just outside the warranty period. Funny how the units start to malfunction just after that 3 year window. Planned obsolescence?