Microsoft's Surface Pro 4 is rumored to be unveiled this coming October. Are the rumors to be believed? It's been a month since rival Apple launched its iPad Pro, and a response from Microsoft is expected.
A number of gossip circles believe that the response will take the form of the Surface Pro 3 successor. As expected, Microsoft has yet to confirm whether such a device exists.
Rumored Specs and Price
According to Business Insider, the Surface Pro 4 will have either the Intel Core M Broadwell CPU or all-new Skylake chipset. There may be at least 4-8GB RAM, and an option for 16 GB RAM as well. The publication also believes that internal storage options include 128 GB, 256 GB and 512 GB.
However, the Surface Pro 4 will not be selling for cheap based on experience with the Surface Pro 3. Price estimates on the internet range from $1799 to $2000. For now, Microsoft has yet to announce the retail value for the fabled device.
Is Surface Pro 4 Coming This October?
In July, Windows watcher Paul Thurrott predicted that Surface Pro 4 will ship out in October 2015. This assessment was based on the following two reasons.
First, Microsoft originally intended to release Windows 10 simultaneously with the Surface Pro 4. The original shipping schedule for Windows 10 was in October. According to Thurrott, the Surface development team was just as surprised as anyone when Microsoft boldly launched Windows 10 in July.
Thurrott also believes the Surface Pro 4 is awaiting development of the Intel Core "Skylake" CPU. Apparently, the new processor will not be available in numbers until the month of October. Naturally, the latest information is speculative - even though it is coming straight from a well-regarded tech observer.
Though Microsoft has not officially announced the Surface Pro 4, the device will certainly replace the aging Surface Pro 3. Undoubtedly, SP4 will be used a platform to demonstrate the capabilities of Windows 10's wireless features.
Windows 10 Features Inside
Microsoft will naturally use the Surface Pro 4 to showcase Windows 10's many features. Notably, the new OS will reintroduce the Start Menu that was lost in Windows 8.1.
Previously, users were in an uproar when they found that Windows 8.1 had replaced the Start Menu with a clunky Start Screen. Many Windows 8.1 owners tried to restore the abandoned feature through third-party apps.
Windows 10 will come with Cortana - Microsoft's proprietary intelligent personal assistant software that assists users with personal tasks. The software is named for the artificial intelligence character from Microsoft's popular Halo videogame franchise. Jen Taylor provided the voice for both the software and videogame versions of Cortana.
