Microsoft Surface Pro 4, Surface Mini Release Date, Specs for Windows 10

Jul 27, 2015 01:58 PM EDT

Microsoft really wanted to make a serious dent in the tablet market with the Surface, and the Surface Pro 4 sounds like it wants to take up the competition of up a peg.  This is what is currently known about the Microsoft Surface Pro 4, and the possible Surface Mini release date with specs, for the new Windows 10. 

According to reports from DigiTimes, it sounds like Microsoft has placed a large order of 256 GB solid state drives (SSD) from Samsung Electronics in order to be used for the Surface Pro 4.  If this is true, then this could mean that the tablet with keyboard will be available by October of this year. 

According to Tech Radar, the Surface Pro 4 will more than likely come with Windows 10 right out of the box.  That operating system is confirmed to be released to PCs on July 29th, and this could be the first device ever with the latest operating system. 

We should be expecting the Surface Pro 4 with a 2K Screen with 2,160 x 1,440 pixel-resolution.  The belief is that the Surface Pro 4 design will have a 12 inch screen like the Surface Pro 3, or it might have a larger, 14-inch version.  There have been many rumors that the iPad could be available in an iPad Pro Plus version that will have a screen that large, and perhaps Microsoft wants to be ahead of the curve when it comes to a new market for larger tablets, just like there seems to be a market for larger smartphones like the iPhone 6 Plus and Galaxy Note series. 

The Surface Pro 4 will also come with Intel's Core M "Broadwell" CPU (with possible "Skylake" that is scheduled to arrive later this year), which is used on many Windows devices, not to mention Apple's new MacBook.  It is possible that Microsoft could be working on a more powerful fanless tablet that will have small holes in the casing, allowing for heat radiation and dissipation.  This will also make the tablet thinner and quieter than the Surface Pro 3. 

According to ITPro, there could be a Mini version "in the cards".  Considering how Continuum for phones are appearing on Windows 10, a mini Surface Pro 4 could give all the benefits of a tablet on the go but an ability to scale up to desktop use by connecting to a bigger screen.  A separate article from ITPro states that the Surface Pro 4 will be thinner and lighter while boosting processor and battery power. 

Other specs for the Surface Pro 4 will be an Intel Core-i5 and Core-i7 processor, which could give the new Surface Pro 4 a thirty percent battery life increase.  The Surface Pro 4 will have a stylus pen like the Surface Pro 3, and the stylus could be an upgrade as Microsoft has recently purchased N-Trig. 

The Surface Pro 4 will probably have the storage options that are available for the Surface Pro 3, starting at 64GB and rising to 128GB, 256GB, and 500GB.  There are reports that a new camera will be added as well.

Although I cannot guarantee this, I will go ahead and say that you'll probably be seeing the Microsoft Surface Pro 4 on July 29th, along with the rollout of Windows 10.  Nothing was mentioned about it at the January press conference for Windows 10, and the Developer's conference in April was also silent about the release date.  It is possible that since the Surface 3 was such a recent release, maybe Microsoft will put off the release of the Surface Pro 4.  We shall see. Much of this might have to do with the imminent release of this year's new iPad.