A concept image of Microsoft Surface Pro 5 shows the laptop with a rechargeable stylus. (Photo : YouTube/CTNtechnology News)
Rumors have it that Microsoft will introduce the Surface Pro 5 via the MWC 2017 this February and the release date will follow shortly. Now there are new signs that appear to support such speculations - the Surface Pro 4 is on sale and more details on the next-generation Windows 10-powered 2-in-1 device have been leaking out.
The SP4, according to WCCFTech, is now cheaper by up to $200 and the latest discounted deals directly provided by Microsoft offer two Pro 4 models - one powered by Intel Core m3 chip and another by a Core i5 processor. As expected, it is the former that is easier on the pocket.
The report said that the Surface Pro 4 Core m3 model packs 4GB of RAM support and 128GB of internal memory, the package now only asks for $699 and it's ready to take home. Prior to the deal, Microsoft sells the unit on its online store for an already affordable tag of $899.
Or buyers can opt for the more powerful Intel Core i5 variant that boasts of 8GB RAM support and 256GB of built-in storage space. For this compelling step up, the sticker price tempts at only $999 or down by $200 from the original mark of $1199.
Both devices will come bundled with the Surface Pen and have the sprawling 12.3-inch PixelSense display. Of course, it will be Windows 10 that will power up everything with the assurance that all succeeding OS and firmware updates will be delivered free of charge.
But there is one good reason to skip all these seemingly irresistible deals - the Surface Pro 5. And according to a separate report from WCCFTech, the upgrade is about to be unveiled real soon. This was tipped by the latest leaked details that indicate work on the SP5 has commenced June 2016 and it will be a big jump from the SP4.
Pointing to an online reference of the device, the same report claimed that the Surface Pro 5 will be an Intel Kaby Lake portable device that will support speech recognition among other new feature upgrades. But more powerful the device is from the immediate predecessor, the SP5 is likely skipping on any of the NVIDIA or AMD Radeon GPUs.
In doing so, Microsoft is making sure that the Surface Pro 5 will be thin and light but more powerful than ever, and perhaps safer (due to better dissipation method) when released with longer battery life.
But really the biggest clue highlighted by the freshly leaked details is that the Surface Pro 5 release date is happening soon with reports suggesting that the product announcement will coincide with the MWC 2017 that will start February 26. Then the actual rollout will follow in the next few weeks or immediately after the Windows 10 Creators Update release this coming March.
