Microsoft Surface Pro 5 release date, news, specs rumors: Next Surface Pro expected to be released after New Year 2017
Many tech enthusiasts are still hoping that the Microsoft Surface Pro 5 will be released before the year ends. There have been hints that the Surface Pro 4's predecessor may be unveiled in an upcoming Microsoft event this Fall, but the hope of an all-new Surface device appearing in the last quarter of 2016 is slowly fading. If anything, the most likely period for the release of the Surface Pro 5 is the early portion of 2017.
At first, the fans of the Surface device have been holding on to the possibility that the upcoming press event of Microsoft this October will introduce the Surface Pro 5 for the first time. However, the latest rumors suggest that the said event may not even showcase an all-new Surface gadget. Instead, Microsoft may use the event to unveil an all-in-one PC, in addition to the revamped version of the Surface Book and Surface Pro 4.
As for the Surface Pro 5, it may take until early 2017 before it gets finished. According to Tech Radar, the Surface Pro 5 is expected to sport Intel's next generation of processor called the Kaby Lake chipset. It is said to be faster and more efficient than the present Intel Skylake processor, allowing the device using it to conserve its battery capacity. The only downside at this moment is that the Kaby Lake processors are not yet expected to be shipped until the last part of 2016. With this, Microsoft still has to wait until such time that the Kaby Lake processors are ready. The next iteration of the hybrid laptop is therefore more likely to arrive next year.
Aside from the Kaby Lake, Microsoft is said to introduce the Windows 10 Redstone 2 OS update via Surface Pro 5. However, the next Windows 10 update is not expected to be completed until Spring 2017. This further supports the latest speculation that the public will not see the Surface Pro 5 sooner. With the huge innovations that the device is going to sport, the extended period of waiting might be worth it, after all.
Neurogadget also reported that the Surface Pro 5 is now expected after New Year 2017. One of the interesting features that are rumored for the Surface Pro 5 is the rechargeable stylus pen. The Surface Pro 5 stylus may have its own rechargeable battery, thus making the use of the Surface device more efficient.