Microsoft Surface Pro 4 Mid-May Release Seen: Company buys Stylus Technology for US$30M; Broadwell Chip to be Used

By Staff Writer

May 06, 2015 11:32 AM EDT

The Microsoft Surface Pro 4, originally slated for a July 2015, may be formally launched as early as mid-May.

The Microsoft Surface Pro 4 will make its international debut at a special event scheduled for the middle of May according to reports.

Originally, people were waiting for the official launch of the device at the Microsoft Build Developers Conference 2015 held at San Francisco, California 29 April to 1 May. Microsoft deferred the announcement for unknown reasons, and decided to have it launched at a separate event instead.

It could be recalled that the device's predecessor also was not announced at the 2014 BUILD, and had a separate event as well.

Meanwhile, Microsoft reportedly bought the stylus and display technology used in the Surface Pro 3 from the maker, Israeli company N-Trig, for US$30 million. It beat competitors HP, Lenovo and Acer to the punch.

"Today we are excited to have acquired advanced digital pen technology from N-trig Ltd., with whom we've partnered closely for several years. We can't wait to show you what we'll deliver for our Surface Fans in the future. Digital pens have a ways to go to be as good as pen and paper on some dimensions, and we'll get there," Microsoft research director Stevie Bathiche posted on the Microsoft Surface Pro blog last Friday.

The Windows 10 OS could be released as early as July or as late as October, with Windows-based devices like the Microsoft Surface Pro 4 and the Lumia 940 coming out in conjunction with the OS because of its Continuum multi-platform approach.

Any speculation pointing to an earlier release would be unfounded, since it is unlikely that Microsoft will let any device come out with the Windows 10 OS before PC has it.

As for the specs, the device is expected to have two versions: a 12-inch model targeting the mid-range market and a 14-inch one for the high-end market. Both versions will have an LCD resolution of 2160 x 1440, and can have a max of 16GB RAM and 1TB storage space. It is also expected to come with the latest Intel Core M Broadwell chip, instead of the original Haswell Dual-Core i5 and i7 Intel processors meant for it.

Another possible indicator of a newer model of the line coming out soon was the recent the price cut seen in the all models and configuration of the current Surface Pro 3, Discounts of up to $150 off was offered to US-based and Puerto Rico-based customers late last month which brought down its US$800 to $1,800.

The Microsoft Surface Pro 4 is one of the most anticipated devices of the year. If Windows 10 performs way better than Windows 8 did, then it has a bright future ahead.

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