Each Surface Pro has arguably been better than the last, and there's good reason to believe that the Surface Pro 4 could turn out to be something special.
While the Surface Pro 2 was marketed as a tablet that could do more than other tablets (particularly Apple's iPad), Microsoft switched tact to try and make the Surface Pro 3 an all-out MacBook Air killer.
Touted "the tablet that can replace your laptop", it was lighter than Apple's popular machine, had a sharp display and excellent handwriting capabilities – but it was far from perfect. Battery life was so-so, you had to shell out for a (still pretty flimsy) Type Cover and it sometimes became uncomfortably warm under use. Can the Surface Pro 4 go one better than its impressive, but imperfect predecessor?
Cut to the chaseWhat is it? A brand new Surface ProWhen is it out? 2015 (possibly October)What will it cost? From around £575 to more than £1,300
Surface Pro 4 release date
Microsoft has sent out media invites to an event being held on October 6, which promises "some exciting news about Windows 10 devices". With Windows 10 out in the wild and Intel's Skylake processors finding their way into devices, it wouldn't be crazy to think that the Surface Pro 4 might take centre stage that day.
Surface Pro 4 design
At 12 inches, the Surface Pro 3 is Microsoft's biggest Surface tablet (not counting the giant Surface Hub). It's no longer the biggest tablet on the block, though. Samsung's Galaxy Note Pro 12.2 is bigger, and Apple's newer iPad Pro, which has a 12.9-inch display, is much larger.
Microsoft is missing a sizeable slate from its armory, which makes a rumour that says it is gearing up to launch a 14-inch Surface Pro alongside a 12-inch version entirely believable. We reckon a 14-inch Surface Pro would be perfect for Windows 10: here's why.
Microsoft's Surface tablets have always been praised for their design, so it's hard to see the company deviating too much from what has gone before. That seems to be the case judging by a company blog post by general manager for Microsoft's Surface line Brian Hall, which says that the Surface Pro 3's accessories will be compatible with "the next generation of the 'Pro' line of Surface".
He wrote: "We are pleased to share that the following Surface Pro 3 accessories are designed with our product roadmap in mind and will be compatible with the next generation of the "Pro" line of Surface:
Today's Surface Pro 3 Type CoversOur "infrastructure" accessories such as our power adapter, Ethernet adapter, and moreThe Surface Pro 3 Docking Station
"This commitment helps validate an investment in Surface Pro 3 and solidifies Microsoft's overall commitment to the continued growth of the Surface brand."
Surface Pro 4 specs
Rumours are split on whether Microsoft will opt for Intel's Core M processor or its more powerful Core i5 and Core i7 variants. Whichever the Surface Pro 4 features, it's highly likely that it'll feature the latest Skylake chips rather than Broadwell ones.
As Intel demonstrated at IDF, Skylake processors come with Intel's integrated Iris and Iris Pro graphics. According to leaked Intel slides, new memory improvements could lead to a 50% increase in 3D gaming performance compared to Broadwell, which would lend the Surface Pro 4 much better gaming chops than the Surface Pro 3.
Skylake can also handle 4K UHD video output at 60 frames per second, and can do so on up to three 4K displays. The Surface Pro 4 is nailed on to come with Windows 10 out of the box, and Skylake chips would allow users to wake up the device by shouting at Cortana.
Following the report that Samsung placed a large order for 256GB SSDs (mentioned above), Digitimes reported that the new Surface tablet will feature, "the same ultra-thin form factor, bezel size and large-size display as the predecessor model and will come with Intel's new Skylake processor and Windows 10."
In terms of storage, Surface Pro 4 could offer similar options to the Surface Pro 3, starting at 64GB and rising to 128GB, 256GB and 500GB.
A report by Chinese publication 36KR that was published in April claims that the Surface Pro 4 is fanless and will ship with Intel's Broadwell processor. The report reckons the device will come with small holes in the casing to allow for heat radiation and dissiptation while keeping the Surface Pro 3's same design elsewhere.
The Surface Pro 4 could also come with new accessories following Microsoft's acquisition of N-Trig, the Israel-based company behind its Surface tablets' pressure-sensitive stylus technology. It was confirmed that Microsoft purchased N-Trig for $200 million (about $132 million, or AUS$255), which makes sense following the news that Microsoft's new Edge browser will embed handwriting functionality.
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Original source: Updated: Surface Pro 4 release date, news and rumours.
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