Surface Pro 4 Rumors

As I write to you on a Surface pro 3, I am getting excited for the new release of a Surface. Probably named Surface Pro 4, this might be Microsoft’s final entry into the Tablet Market. But what are we to expect from a company that is releasing their 4th Generation of a device which wasn’t well received the first time round. Will they have learned from their mistakes or go adventures? Let’s sort out the unlikely rumors from the possible ones.

The Specs?

The surface Pro line has always been in the forefront of making the slimmest core i series tablet and the surface Pro 3 took it a step forward with introducing a 9.1 mm core i7 processor. So, where does this legacy leave the Surface Pro 4. Well one rumor is that the Surface will have an Intel core M processors. These processor are slower than the conventional core i processors (when I say slower, I really mean by just a little slower than 4^th generation i5 used in the surface pro 3) but don’t need a fan for cooling and therefore making it possible to decrease the size of the Surface. But I don’t think Microsoft would do such a mistake of sacrificing the performance for the slimness of the product. The surface pro 3 is slim enough and is easily the most portable device around. Therefore, it is more likely, that the surface pro 4 will use the 5^th Generation processors or even the 6^th Generation processors codenamed Skylake. Skylake is the “tock” phase of Intel’s “tick-tock” system. The “tock” phase symbolized the improvement in architecture of the existing size processors. Skylake in the Surface Pro 4 might be a possibility, making Microsoft the launch company for their new Processors which would not be unusual as Microsoft and intel have been working closely together. However, if the rumors are true of a May Launch, then I don’t think Microsoft will be announcing Skylake. The safest bet is the 5^th Generation i series processors.

Talking about specs, let’s talk RAM. No, not the single from Dark Punk but computer RAM. Will Microsoft introduce 16GB of RAM to their system. The short answer is possibly. It would not need that much of a change for Microsoft to offer this size of RAM but it’s the Question of is it going to be a popular choice that might scare Microsoft from doing a 16GB model. But except from that, I don’t see a reason why they wouldn’t do such an option. To the type of RAM. Will Microsoft be the first tablet manufacture to use DDR4. Maybe but that’s probably a dream of mine. Using DDR4 instead of DDR3 could increase performance of up to 25% which would be a great addition to making the surface line a very powerful machine (not that it isn’t but it would make is so much better).

To SSDs or maybe flash storage?

Since the first model, Microsoft has been using SSDs for their storage device but will this come to an end this year? Flash storage is faster than conventional SSDs making running the OS a much smoother experience. But SSD storage is a little cheaper and could be replaced (like anyone would even dare to disassemble the Surface Pro 3). But the bigger question is if Microsoft will introduce a 1 TB version Surface edition. This would be very expensive but would be more popular to Business focused buyers. It is likely they will add this but in my opinion not really required. What’s Cloud and external Hard drive for?

Screen resolution and Size

Microsoft Introduced a sharper screen with better color accuracy than its previous models. Its 12-inch screen was sharp and good for viewing in bright sunlight. But the screen had some issues when it came with showing dark scenes of a movie. So, will Microsoft correct this and use a different type of display? They might. Some of their adverts of the Surface Pro 3 have orientated the Surface to be a Photoshop tool. Therefore, having a display which have very good color accuracy is crucial. Also one hot topic is 4K. Will Microsoft bring a 4K tablet into production. They might… although that would make it one expensive Surface tablet. So, it would be great to see such device, but it would be too expensive to really think about buying. Thinking about expensive, the same problem plagued the Surface Pro 3. A truly great device but really expensive if you include the keyboard (for some reason called an accessory. It’s necessary not an accessory. Typical Microsoft). Talking about screens, Screen Sizes. Some rumors have been going around that Microsoft might be introducing a 14 or 15 inch version of the Surface. Firstly, that would be quite ridicules to hold in your hands let alone portable. They might do it, but the chances are quite low seeing that 12 inches is a perfect size for both a tablet and a Laptop.

To be Fannless or not to be Fannless. That’s not the question…… or is it?

There have been rumors going around that Microsoft is ready to go fanless with their Surface Pro 4’s, but that seems highly unlikely if Microsoft is going to use a 5^th Generation i core processor. If you haven’t heard, Microsoft had some heat problems with even the fan being present on their i7 Surface models. So, if Microsoft has learned a lesson, they would probably stick with a fan.

Launch date?

This one is anyone’s guess. Rumors are going around that Microsoft is going to introduce its new Surface in May. I would actually prefer, if it would mean skylake would feature on the surface, that the release date is some were near July. It would be a great advantage to Microsoft to introduce a device which sets new standards for the industry. It would look like a very attractive device to buy and would make the 4^th generation of Surface the most successful so far.

To conclude…

I haven’t really talked about its looks; its kick stand or its ports. I don’t think that they are going to change a whole load as they were pretty much spot on. Microsoft might dare to change its ports a little. Maybe even include a second USB port or even change to a USB type c. There are a lot of rumors going around about the Surface Pro 4, but what I do know is that it’s going to be the best Surface ever.