Microsoft has really found itself a niche in the crowded and iPad-dominated market with the Surface series, and they will soon release the Surface Pro 4, which might be in direct competition with what Apple will put out this fall. In the meantime, the Surface Pro 3 is allowing updates for Windows 10, and this is what we know about the Microsoft Surface Pro 4 Release Date and specs.
For those that want to update to Windows 10 and have the latest version of the Surface with the Surface Pro 3 or Surface 3 can do so for free. The Microsoft site has a list of instructions about how to do this for the Surface, and it consists of getting the latest updates, backing up your files, create a USB recovery drive, and make sure you have enough free disk space.
Users of newer versions of the Surface should also make certain that you have reserved yourself some Windows 10, and you will be notified when it is available for download. From there, the instructions are as simple as going to Start, selecting Settings > Update & Security >Recovery, followed by a lot of on-screen instructions.
Right now, sales for the Surface Pro 3 and Surface 3 tablets have been exceptionally well. Twice reports that the Surface tablet lineup growth has increased 117 percent, generating $888 million. The success could be due to the two-in-one option that is happening here with the tablet and keyboard option.
This has led a lot of speculation as to the release date of the Microsoft Surface Pro 4, and sites like the International Business Times anticipate that the newest version of Microsoft's Surface will appear sometime in October.
According to reports from DigiTimes, it sounds like Microsoft has placed a large order of 256 GB solid state drives (SSD) from Samsung Electronics in order to be used for the Surface Pro 4. If this is true, then this could mean that the tablet with keyboard will be available by October of this year.
Tech Radar reports that the Surface Pro 4 will more than likely come with Windows 10 right out of the box. We should also be expecting the Surface Pro 4 with a 2K Screen with 2,160 x 1,440 pixel-resolution. The belief is that the Surface Pro 4 design will have a 12 inch screen like the Surface Pro 3, or it might have a larger, 14-inch version.
There have been many rumors that the iPad could be available in an iPad Pro Plus version that will have a screen that large, and perhaps Microsoft wants to be ahead of the curve when it comes to a new market for larger tablets, just like there seems to be a market for larger smartphones like the iPhone 6 Plus and Galaxy Note series.
The Surface Pro 4 will also come with Intel's Core M "Broadwell" CPU (with possible "Skylake" that is scheduled to arrive later this year), which is used on many Windows devices, not to mention Apple's new MacBook. It is possible that Microsoft could be working on a more powerful fanless tablet that will have small holes in the casing, allowing for heat radiation and dissipation. This will also make the tablet thinner and quieter than the Surface Pro 3.
According to ITPro, there could be a Mini version "in the cards". Considering how Continuum for phones are appearing on Windows 10, a mini Surface Pro 4 could give all the benefits of a tablet on the go but an ability to scale up to desktop use by connecting to a bigger screen. A separate article from ITPro states that the Surface Pro 4 will be thinner and lighter while boosting processor and battery power.
Other specs for the Surface Pro 4 will be an Intel Core-i5 and Core-i7 processor, which could give the new Surface Pro 4 a thirty percent battery life increase. The Surface Pro 4 will have a stylus pen like the Surface Pro 3, and the stylus could be an upgrade as Microsoft has recently purchased N-Trig.
The Surface Pro 4 will probably have the storage options that are available for the Surface Pro 3, starting at 64GB and rising to 128GB, 256GB, and 500GB. There are reports that a new camera will be added as well.
If the reports are to believed, then that Surface Pro 4 should be out in October, just in time to clash with whatever iPad will be coming out then. If you have the Surface Pro 3 or Surface 3, enjoy Windows 10 when you download it.
