Following the release of Microsoft’s latest operating system, Windows 10, late last month, the next big thing from Microsoft, the Surface Pro 4, is likely to be released in the market in the first month of the last quarter.
It was initially assumed that the tech giant would debut its latest laptop tablet hybrid alongside the new operating system, but it looks like Microsoft doesn’t want their consumers’ attention and budget divided. Some reports suggest that the Surface Pro 4 might become available by early 2016 or that it will be competing head-to-head with Apple as the Cupertino-based tech company shall also be releasing its rumored iPad Pro and 2016 MacBook Air in October.
Although Microsoft has not made an official announcement yet that the Surface Pro 4 would indeed be made available in the market by October, Yibada notes some probable reasons why the company would opt to do so.
First, the latest addition to the Surface line is expected to come out with Windows 10 onboard. With the arrival of the latest operating system recently, the gadget is bound to undergo some test runs and quick fixes before its release especially now with the sales for the Surface and Surface Pro devices doing well. Last quarter, it was reported that Microsoft has generated a profit of $888 million from its laplet devices alone.
Windows 10 officially came out on July 29 and is available as a free upgrade for the first year of its availability. Devices running on genuine copies and eligible editions of Windows 7, Windows 8.0, and Windows 8.1 can now install the latest operating system.
Second, the Surface Pro 4’s predecessor has reportedly gone down with its prices in preparation for its successor’s release. Yibada reports that Microsoft is offering discounts amounting to $150 on selected models of the Surface Pro 3. The variant running on Intel Core i5 processor with 256GB of storage and 8GB of RAM is now available for only $1,149 on the Microsoft Store while the Intel Core i7 processor variant carrying the same amount of storage and RAM as the previous model is now priced at $1,399. The Intel Core i7 variant that comes with 512GB storage and 8GB of RAM is listed with a price tag of $1,799.
Much like how Surface Pro 2 and Surface Pro 3 competed heavily with Apple’s MacBook Air and iPad products, the upcoming laplet is indeed challenging Apple. The Surface Pro 4 is rumored to be several notches better than the next iPad line from Apple and other similar devices to be launch this year.
The Microsoft device is expected to come out with and i7 Intel Core processor with choices of storage ranging from 64GB up to a whopping 265GB with up to 16GB of RAM support. Screen display-wise, Realty Today suggests that the latest Surface Pro will be sporting a 12-inch screen with 2160 x 1440 resolution.
On the outside, the newest Surface Pro device will have a slim and ultra-thin look with a fanless design giving it a quieter and thinner functionality. Although with the fanless design comes the indication that it will have holes in its casing for better heat management. It’s also rumored that the Surface Pro 4 will be the first ever device to be released with Microsoft’s ‘Hello’ biometric system, a solid feature for those eyeing to get hold of the device.
As per Christian Today, the latest offering from Microsoft will include a stylus, an 8-megapixel rear camera, and a 3.5-megapixel front camera. Words also have it that the Surface Pro 4’s battery life can stand up to 17 hours straight of continued use. Rumor also has it the starting prices for the device could start at $1,700 in the US and would range from £600 to £2,000 in the UK. With its price range aligned to that of its predecessor, it is likely that the Surface Pro 4 beats the Apple MacBooks and iPads.