Microsoft Surface Pro 4 and Surface Mini Release date, Specs and Rumors

Aug 25, 2015 12:15 AM EDT

Microsoft has really found itself a niche in the crowded and iPad-dominated market with the Surface series, and they will soon release the Surface Pro 4, which might be in direct competition with what Apple will put out this fall.  There is also the possibility of a Surface Mini as well, and this is what is known about the Microsoft Surface Pro 4 and Surface Mini Release Date.

According to the Latino Post, Microsoft plans to reveal the Surface Pro 4 as early as mid-October. Much of the rumors about the Surface Pro 4 is that the fourth iteration of this tablet series will not be much of a change. Tech Radar reports that the Surface Pro 2 was a tablet that could do more with its keyboard, and the Surface Pro 3 was an attempt to eclipse the MacBook Air. 

So what is the next step up from there? I guess one has to go bigger, and the Surface Pro could have two sizes, one with a 12-inch display and the other with a 14-inch display. This makes a lot of sense, as most rumors point to the new iPad being some kind of iPad Pro Plus or iPad Pro.  The bottom line is that it will have a bigger screen, and so Microsoft just has to compete with that with one as large or maybe even larger. 

As for what is on the inside, there is a lot of info suggesting that Microsoft has placed a large order for 256 GB SSDs from Samsung that will be used in the Surface tablet.  It will also come with Intel's Core M Processor brand the Skylake, and, of course, Windows 10 right out of the box. 

There is some leaked slides showing that the improvements could increase 3D gaming performance, turning the Surface Pro 4 into quite a gaming device.  Skylake can also handle 4K UHD video output at 60 frames per second, and it is possible for three 4K displays.  This will make it ideal as a video watching device as well as gaming. 

With this rumor of the October release also comes a report that a Mini Version of the Surface will be released.  This Mini Surface Pro is probably out to compete with the iPad Mini market, and little is known about what will come after the iPad mini 3.  It is believed that the mini Surface Pro is made to provide users with all the features necessary for a tablet, while allowing for scaling up to Desktop usage, simply by connecting to a larger display.  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.  Of course, I just reported that the new Surface Pro 4 could have a 12-inch and 14-inch version, so will the Mini be smaller than that or take the smallest size?

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.

If the reports are to be believed, then that Surface Pro 4 should be out in October, just in time to clash with whatever iPad will be coming out then.