Microsoft Surface Pro 5 release date, specs rumors: Next-gen hybrid tablet to launch in Q1 2017

Georgia Gana Tuesday, January 03, 2017

A promotional image for the Microsoft Surface Pro 4. The next-generation hybrid tablet is rumored to arrive in Q1 2017. | Microsoft

Many consumers looking for a new 2-in-1 tablet were disappointed when Microsoft failed to release the Surface Pro 5 in 2016. However, those who were patient enough to wait for the fifth-generation device despite the numerous sales during the holidays will be pleased as the latest reports suggest that it will be arriving soon.

According to Chinese publication Economic Daily News, as reported by Digitimes, Microsoft is planning to introduce the Surface Pro 5 in the first quarter of 2017. It's possible that the immense success of the Surface Book i7 and Surface Studio all-in-one PC, introduced last October, has convinced the Redmond-based tech giant to hasten the release of the next-generation Surface Pro.

Aside from the release window, sources revealed that Pegatron Technology will be tasked to manufacture the Surface Pro 5. Microsoft is also said to be considering Quanta Computer to produce the upcoming device.

In terms of specs, it was said that the new 2-in-1 laptop/tablet hybrid will feature an Ultra HD 4K display with 3,840 x 2,160 pixels, and a magnetic charging stylus. These two features are consistent with previous rumors and speculations regarding the Surface Pro 5. This means that other specs rumored for the device could actually turn out to be true as well.

The Microsoft Surface Pro 5 is rumored to be powered by Intel's seventh-generation Kaby Lake processors, possibly the Core i7 variant. Just like the Surface Pro 4, it will likely have support for up to 16 GB of random access memory (RAM) and up to 1 TB of built-in storage. It is also expected to come with a USB Type-C port.

If the fifth-generation Surface Pro 5 is indeed released by March, the device is likely to compete not only with Apple's iPad Pro tablet but also with the recently released MacBook Pro with Touch Bar laptop.

The Microsoft Surface Pro 5 could have a starting price of $899 for the base model while the top-tier variant could cost as much as $1,599.