Microsoft Surface Pro 5 release date, specs news: Launch in 2016 unlikely as Microsoft awaits for the Kaby processor in 2017
After the successful launching of Microsoft Corporation's hybrid laptop and tablet line, Surface Pro, the public is now anticipating that this year might witness the tech giant releasing its latest model for the said gadget. Last year, Microsoft launched the Surface Pro 4 which was proven to be a huge commercial success and its features were well-received by the tech critics. This time, Microsoft is expected by many to gearing up for the Surface Pro 5 which will feature a lot of improvements from the previous Surface Pro designs. However, the public might not yet see the final product of the anticipated gadget, or at least not this year.
If the latest rumors were true, Microsoft is now planning to launch the Surface Pro 5 sometime next year. According to a report from Yibada, the company could not proceed with the target release of Surface Pro 5 this year as they are waiting for the chipset maker company, Intel, to finish its latest generation processor. The processor called Kaby Lake is rumored to be the greatest and fastest chipset offering from Intel. However, Kaby Lake is reported to be released next year and with that, the Surface Pro 5 will be released around the same time also.
The additional waiting period may be worth it after all as Surface Pro 5 is expected to be among the first devices to feature the said chipset. More importantly, the Kaby Lake processor is said to double the efficiency of the gadgets it will run.
Meanwhile, the initial price estimates for the Surface Pro 5 have already been shared by tech analysts. According to a report from CNET, the Surface Pro 5 will have a starting price of $899. The Intel Core i7 device will be at around $999, while the i7 Extreme version will be quite expensive at $1,599.
Aside from the faster computer system processing, the Surface Pro 5 is expected to feature 4K Ultra HD screen display which will be among the first few who will sport this improvement. The screen solution of the hybrid tablet will be 3840 pixels in width at maximum. It is also expected to have a new and improved design of stylus pen, as well as the fingerprint scanner feature and the newest USB type C port.
While the reports at the meantime that the Surface Pro 5 will have its first appearance next year, there are some reports that show otherwise and the gadget can be unveiled as early as next month. The same report from CNET also hinted that Microsoft may also be wanting to pit its upcoming device against Apple's upcoming MacBook Pro 2016 model, which is rumored to be released during the company's Worldwide Developers Conference also next month.
