Microsoft Surface Pro 4 release date, specs: hybrid device offers business-friendly features
Speculations about the Surface Pro 4, Microsoft's next-generation laptop-tablet hybrid, continue to intensify as its alleged October release date draws nearer.
Design & Trend recently spotted a report from the Taiwanese tech news site Digitimes, which revealed several details about the upcoming device. Based on the report, Microsoft will release two Surface Pro 4 models sometime next month. One of them will allegedly come with a 12-inch display screen, while the other model will have a 13- or 14-inch display.
Meanwhile, The Verge editor and WinRumors website founder Tom Warren revealed that the device will be released in October, and it will have a lighter and thinner body compared to the Surface Pro 3.
@TiagoJoseMC definitely wait for the 4. October.
— Tom Warren (@tomwarren) August 5, 2015It is widely rumored that the device will come with Intel's latest Skylake chip, 256 GB SSDs manufactured by Samsung, 16 GB to 1 TB RAM variations, several USB Type-C ports, as well as an 8-megapixel primary rear-facing camera with 3.5-megapixel front shooter.
Aside from the specs rumors, Business News Daily listed down the five best features of the upcoming Microsoft Surface Pro 4 device for business users.
According to the website, those who will use the device for work can take advantage of the bigger display if they choose the 14-inch model. This could offer more space that can be used for split-screen multitasking. They will also benefit from the improved processor with the release of Intel's Skylake in August. The new chip is allegedly more efficient and runs faster compared to the Haswell chips that were installed in the Surface Pro 3, which tends to heat up during prolonged use.
Moreover, the Surface Pro 4 will run using the latest Windows 10 operating system upon release, which offers separate modes for desktop and tablet. This feature highlights the hybrid design of the device. Also, it will have better pen support because of Windows 10's improved handwriting-to-text input panel and the built-in inking capabilities that is being offered by the latest Edge web browser from Microsoft.
Because of the new Skylake processor, the Surface Pro 4 will have a longer battery life compared to its predecessor. This would be very helpful for business people who need their devices for work.
Microsoft has yet to reveal if the specs rumors are accurate.
