At Microsoft's Surface-focused event late October, there wasn't any word on a Surface Pro refresh. However, the Surface Pro 4's successor might be unveiled in the next few months, with the next Surface Pro iteration expected to feature a 4K display and a magnetic charging stylus.
Microsoft Surface Pro 5 Rumors
Microsoft is currently working on a new Surface Pro tablet, according to a new report, touting a Q1 2017 release for the tablet in question.
The report, which comes from the Economic Daily News in China and was spotted by Digitimes, adds that Pegatron Technology will be the one to manufacture the device. Microsoft has also considered Quanta Computer as a possible manufacturer for the Surface Pro 5, but the company has yet to confirm its plans.
In October, Microsoft unveiled a new version of its two-in-one Surface Book hybrid, and a new all-in-one desktop computer called the Surface Studio. The event was strategically scheduled ahead of Apple's event the following day, and many pundits have opined that Microsoft's show was far more compelling than Apple's.
Microsoft Surface Pro 4
The Surface Pro 4, released in 2015, is Microsoft's latest Surface Pro iteration, and while there had been healthy speculation about a successor being teased during company's event in October, nary a hint of a new refreshed Surface Pro 4 was given by Microsoft, causing many to wonder about the future of Microsoft's high-end tablet lineup.
The Chinese report is thin on other rumors apart from possible manufacturing partners, though it states that the Surface Pro 5 will sport an Ultra HD resolution, as previously mentioned. The stylus, named the Surface Pen, will also be released alongside the Surface Pro 5, and it will utilize magnetic charging, the first time a Surface Pro tablet would be able to do so, if the report is correct.
A specific release date is unavailable as of this time, and Microsoft could still change its plans for the forthcoming Surface Pro 5 as it progresses through the manufacturing process.
The Surface Pro 4 is billed by Microsoft as "the tablet that can replace your laptop," compact enough to be lugged anywhere, and powerful enough to be used as a full desktop workstation. It rocks a 12.3-inch PixelSense multi-touch display with a resolution of 2,736 x 1,824, at 267 dpi.
Under the hood can either be a sixth-generation Intel core m3, i5, or i7 processor, up to 16 GB of RAM, partnered with an Intel HD graphics 515 for the Core m3 variant, Intel HD graphics 520 for the i5 variant, and an Intel Iris graphics for the i7 variant. There are also a number of SSD storage configurations for the tablet, with 1 TB being the maximum.
What features would you like to see in the Surface Pro 5? Feel free to sound off in the comments section below!
