Microsoft Surface 2 and Microsoft Surface Pro 2 problems with dim screen and over-heating

Both new Microsoft Surface tablets are suffering through the same problem. Some units of the Microsoft Surface 2 and the Microsoft Surface Pro 2 are running into issues with overheating.This results in the screen on the affected tablet dimming to the point where the device cannot be used. Apparently, the new Surface tablets run hot when the user is playing games or while multitasking.

A Microsoft spokesman says that the company is aware of the problem and is working on a update that will prevent the dimming from taking place. Until the update is sent out, you can let an overheated device cool down for a minute or two and according to the spokesman, the screen will return to the previous brightness level.

Microsoft has been marketing the Surface 2 as a tool for multitasking, so to have multitasking set off this behavior is not a good sign, especially after the company wrote down $900 million in Microsoft Surface RT inventory for its fiscal fourth quarter.

“Surface devices may dim the screen as thermal temperatures rise from extended, high CPU intensive activities – like gaming. In some scenarios this does not appear necessary…We’re working on a tuning update that will remove this unnecessary dimming event. You can expect this update in an upcoming Windows Update package. In the meantime allow the Surface to cool down for a minute or so in order to return the screen to previous brightness levels.”-Microsoft spokesman