Microsoft's dial formula · Input terminal "Surface Dial" decomposed iFixit apart

Microsoft's first desktop PC "Surface Studio"DisassemblydidIFixitHowever, Surface Studio continues to be a new type of input device "Surface Dial"Is being disassembled. The contents of the Surface Dial which is noticed by an unprecedented input method called dial formula is being made naked.

Microsoft Surface Dial Teardown - iFixit
https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Microsoft+Surface+Dial+Teardown/74808

The appearance of decomposing Surface Dial can be checked with the following movie.

Microsoft Surface Dial Teardown Review! - YouTube


Surface Dial is a dial-type input terminal that can be used with terminals compatible with Windows 10 Anniversary updates such as Surface Studio and Surface Pro 4. You can rotate and click the dial.


Rubber slip on the bottom. Thanks to this rubber slip, it is a mechanism that you can stick and stick to the display of Surface Studio.


First, remove the bottom cover. The cover can be removed without using tools with a powerful magnet type. Surface Dial is running with 2 AAA batteries.


When removing the battery, there is a display of model number "1756" of Surface Dial.


Use a tool like a thin spatula to take out the parts inside.


I successfully removed the battery holder. There seems to be a bearing under the battery holder.


The battery holder has a built-in Bluetooth antenna.


Take out the contents from the case.


The yellow part is bearing.


Internal parts can be separated into motherboard, intermediate frame, shaft part.


The intermediate frame has a small motor for vibration.


It seems that a small switch attached to the motherboard is generating a click feeling of the dial.


We were able to confirm parts similar to optical sensor of optical mouse.


On the motherboard, SoC for Bluetooth LE made by Nordic Semiconductor with red frame "NRF 52832"Is carried.


The back side looks like this.


Surface Dial consisted of the following parts.


The repair / disassembly difficulty level of Surface Dial by iFixit is "4" in 10 steps and enters a difficult category. The reason is that "batteries can be removed without tools", "Parts are likely to be durable, but if broken, it will be difficult to replace without damaging the terminal" "Vibrating motor is strong gel "It is difficult to disassemble without a guide book".