Microsoft has confirmed that Windows 10 will start rolling out on July 29 but the tech giant remains totally silent on its Surface Pro 4 release date plans. To date, the notion that the SP4 will be released together with the new operating system is still in the rumor zone.
With this in mind the question begs: Will the rumored tablet ever go out?
The answer could be no, which applies at least this 2015 as reports suggest that Microsoft is not indicating anything solid that the Pro 4 is in the works or is part of its immediate product pipeline. In fact, the tech giant is signalling the otherwise - that the Surface Pro 3 will extend its tenure as the native Windows tablet flagship and those waiting for the SP4 will have to stretch their patience a bit more.
Here are the tell-tale signs that the Surface Pro 4 will likely skip on the Windows 10 release date year:
Rumor channels are silent
When it comes to the SP4 narrative, it is not only Microsoft that is playing mum but also the usual and reliable sources on the matter, Slash Gear said in a report, adding that known Microsoft watcher Paul Thurrott is a case in point.
In normal times or in moments like these that the software giant is on the brink of issuing a new batch of products, Thurrott would have been feeding hints, leaks and even confirmed details say for the Windows 10 or for the Pro 4. However, "Thurrott's traditionally-vocal rumor pipeline has been conspicuously quiet about the Surface Pro 4 project," the report added.
The bet is Thurrott has nothing pressing or interesting to tease with on the SP4, at least this year. Or the tablet is not even in the Microsoft scheme of things, Slash Gear said.
A new SP3 model is out
But Thurrott is not completely silent on anything about Microsoft as the insider picked up a new product by the company - the Core i7 Surface Pro 3 that has a 128GB SSD and sells for $1299.
This latest SP3 coming out is a bit strange as GizMag wonders: Why a new Pro 3 when the understanding is in matter of weeks the Surface Pro 4 is set to arrive? To be sure, "Microsoft isn't going to add a new tier for a product that's going to be obsolete in a month," the tech blog site added.
The bet is, either the Pro 4 is delayed for next year or it will be among the casualties of the supposed realignments indicated by Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella.
Reinforcing OEM relationship
That Microsoft is mulling the possible demise of the Surface and Lumia brands can be explained by the company's decision to repair and reinvigorate its strained relationship with OEMs, no thanks to the Surface tablet.
Such initiative, according to GizMag, could see Microsoft becoming actively involved in the development and release of Windows 10-powered devices such as HP Spectre x360. If true and if Microsoft would purse similar partnerships, then the Surface will be reduced to redundancy - an easy target for products to kill by Nadella.
Still and as mentioned, nothing about the Surface Pro 4 is written in stone. Whether the tablet is a go or not this 2015 should get a clear answer shortly after the Windows 10 release date that Microsoft has programed to commence on July 29.