Rumors regarding the arrival of Microsoft's next laptop cum tablet, dubbed the Surface Pro 5, have been rife for a while.
It was expected that the device would be unveiled at the Mobile World Congress 2017 in February. However, this did not pan out and consumers were optimistic that the Redmond-based company would launch the Surface Pro 5 at its May 2 event, but again Microsoft disappointed fans.
The Surface Pro 5 is the successor of the 2015 Surface Pro 4 tablet and laptop hybrid. The Surface Pro 4 was a huge success and dominated the market for well over a year post its release. The launch of the next-gen model remains shrouded in mystery, but a recent social media post from Microsoft may throw some light on the Surface Pro 5's arrival.
Surface Pro 5: When Will It Launch?
A tweet posted through the company's official Twitter handle informed fans about the upcoming Microsoft event in Shanghai on May 23. However, what is interesting is the re-tweet from Panos Pay, Microsoft's Corporate VP of Devices and Surface. His re-tweet not only informs people about the event, but also ends with the hashtag #Surface.
See you in Shanghai. May 23. #MicrosoftEvent #Surface https://t.co/aMgvkkqE52 pic.twitter.com/vzcK9MqIpf
— Panos Panay (@panos_panay) 5 May 2017
This tweet along with Microsoft's propensity to launch all Surface devices in October may be enough to renew hopes in fans' minds. For instance, the company released the Surface Pro 4 in October 2015 along with a Surface Book. In October 2016, Microsoft released the Surface Book i7 along with the Surface Dial and Surface Studio.
Based on these product cycles, a strong possibility exists that Microsoft will debut the Surface Pro 5 during the Shanghai event and will release it worldwide in October.
Surface Pro 5: Expected Specs and Price
Speculations suggest that the Surface Pro 5 will come with either an Intel processor or the AMD Ryzen chips. Even in case of the device housing an Intel processor there are some disparities between reports. Some sources claim the device will house Kaby Lake chips while other rumors suggest that it will boast the Cannon Lake CPU.
Apart from this, the Surface Pro 5 will likely sport a 4K display (3,840 x 2,560 pixels) along with an improved battery performance. The device is also said to come with a rechargeable S-Pen stylus.
With its expected advanced display and longer battery life, the Surface Pro 5 is anticipated to retail upward of $900. However, like all rumors this too should be taken with a grain of salt. The price may be much higher than when Microsoft eventually announces the tablet-laptop hybrid, but chances of it being cheaper than $900 are slim.
