Is The Microsoft Surface Pro 4 About To Be Announced?

The Surface Pro 4 appears to be the most anticipated laptop/tablet hybrid of the year and anticipation continues to grow. In 2014, the Surface Pro 3 was announced about a month before its arrival. Now that the July 29 date for the release of Windows 10 is coming up, many are wondering if the Surface Pro 4 will arrive the same day. If so, that means we can expect an official announcement any day now.

In 2014, there was a lot of skepticism concerning the Surface Pro 3, especially given that the Surface Pro 1 and 2 didn’t exactly thrill most users. Many thought it was too thick for a tablet, didn’t like the Type Cover and thought the battery life was dismal. Microsoft’s Surface Pro 3 received, for the most part, very good reviews. CNET gave the laptop/tablet hybrid four stars.

“The Surface Pro 3 is thinner and lighter than the previous two versions, despite having a larger 12-inch display and higher screen resolution. A new kickstand makes it easier to set up and use, and the keyboard cover remains a best-in-class example. The Surface Pro 3 is now optimized for a digital pen, which is included.”

Engadget liked the Surface Pro 3 as well, but wasn’t quite impressed with the Type Cover keyboard.

“This time around, the biggest problem is the keyboard. It’s tough to say who should buy the Surface Pro 3 as a laptop alternative when the very thing that makes it a notebook replacement — its optional keyboard — offers a subpar typing experience and a frustrating trackpad.”

The review notes the disappointment that the Type Cover doesn’t come with the device; it costs an extra $130. It’s unlikely the Surface Pro 4 will come with the Type Cover, but it will have some updated specs.

According to BGR, the Surface Pro 4 will get rid of the fan like the new MacBook, but they don’t think that automatically means it will pack a slower Intel Core M processor. They also believe that the Surface Pro 4 is expected to feature a 12-inch display with 2160 x 1440 pixels of resolution, which is the same as the Surface Pro 3. However, other sources claim the Surface Pro 4 will have a 4K screen.

Vine Report insists that the Surface Pro 4 will have an Intel Core M Broadwell chip, ditching the original plan to ship it with the more powerful Intel Core i5 or even the Intel Core i7 processors. Several people on the internet have cast doubt about this rumor, which appears to be part of the internet echo chamber without any actual confirmation.

Microsoft made a groundbreaking device with the Surface Pro 3. With a much improved operating system, Windows 10, the Surface Pro 4 can put a permanent end to the regular tablet industry, which is already fading.

[Photo by David Ramos / Stringer (for Getty Images)]