Microsoft has a problem with their Surface Pro tablets 2 and 3 with some owners getting a shock when using the devices.

Microsoft has a problem with their Surface Pro tablets 2 and 3 with some owners getting a shock when using the devices.
 
According to Company executives hundreds of thousands of power cords for its Surface Pro range are set to be recalled. The Company has not said how many Australian cords are affected, what we do know is that the issue is serious and is already affecting owners in the USA and Europe. 
 
The voluntary recall is due to a risk of overheating and causing fires and will reportedly apply to all models except the new Surface Pro 4, sold before July 15 2015.
 
“Microsoft has received some reports of a short duration flame and a few reports of shock” a Company executive said. 
 

The executive said “As a result of damage caused by AC power cords being wound too tightly, twisted or pinched over an extended period of time, owners have reported issues. We will be releasing details of how customers can obtain a free replacement cable shortly.”
 
The first Surface Pro went on sale in February 2013, followed by three more generations which were part of an evolution to a true laptop-tablet hybrid. 
 
In January last year, Microsoft announced that Surface revenue had crossed the $1bn mark in the fourth quarter of 2014 for the first time, driven by sales of the Surface Pro 3.
 
Sales estimates vary from an estimate of 1.8 million units sold in 2014 globally, to at least two million sold in the last quarter of 2014 alone.
 
Estimates also point to 1.5 million units sold in the first half of 2015.
 
Microsoft claims you should only return your power cords if you often wind them up tightly or twist them for prolonged periods.
 
But if you use your power cord regularly, you could get a potentially safer product for free by sending back your current one.