Microsoft Surface Pro 4 With Windows 10 Release Date In Summer 2015

May 15, 2015 01:03 AM EDT

Surface Pro 4 may have a summer release date, even though it has not been formally announced. The new tablet is expected to run on Microsoft's highly-anticipated Windows 10 software.

Surface Pro 4 May Launch Anytime this Summer

It has been long rumored that the Surface Pro 4's release date was held up by the Windows 10 release cycle, which means the release date can be theoretically anticipated.

Last month, AMD CEO Lisa Su accidently revealed the Windows 10 launch ahead of an official confirmation from longtime partner Microsoft.   

"With the Windows 10 launch at the end of July, we're watching, sort of the impact of that on the back-to-school season, and expect that it might have a bit of a delay to the normal back-to-school season inventory build-up," Su said while answering an analyst's question at AMD's quarterly earning call.

It is not clear whether Su got clearance from Microsoft to reveal this information. The Seattle- based company already announced plans to release Windows 10 by this summer, but did not go into specifics.

The Surface Pro 4 may follow a similar release schedule as Windows 10, which suggests a possible ETA in July. Previously, the Surface Pro 3 was released in late June 2014.

Fan-Less Broadwell CPU Rumored to be in Surface Pro 4

Based on the latest tech gossip, the Surface Pro 4 may be Microsoft's first fan-less tablet. In order for that to happen, the device will have to include Intel's recently released Core M "Broadwell" processor. This is a big deal, considering that many users complained about the Surface Pro 3's excessive fan noise when overheating. With newer technology, the Surface Pro 4 should be running a lot quieter.

Windows 10 Features and Specs

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.

Piracy is also one issue Microsoft plans to address with Windows 10. The company is allowing free upgrade for owners of pirated Windows software. Microsoft spokesman Terry Myerson told Reuters that the plan was to "re-engage" the piracy-rampant Chinese market. It remains uncertain whether this scheme will be successful.