Microsoft Surface Pro 4 and Surface Mini Release Date On Windows 10

Aug 08, 2015 07:22 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, with Windows 10.  

According to the Day Herald, the Microsoft Surface Pro 4 or at least some new version of the Surface was supposed to be released on July 29th, the same date as the release date for Windows 10.  This did not happen, which is kind of a missed opportunity on Microsoft's part, really. 

Most of the reports for the release date for the Microsoft Surface pro all point to sometime in October in most retail markets.  This is just in time to compete with the iPad Pro, which is believed to be a larger version of the iPad that Apple will announce during the fall. 

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. 

One other development is that putting Windows 10 on the Surface series is that it will make it idea for Xbox Gamers as the company has enabled local streaming of Xbox One games to computers and Windows tablets. 

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. 

Tech Radar reports that the Surface Pro 4 will more than likely come with Windows 10 right out of the box.  We should also 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. 

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.

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.  If you have the Surface Pro 3 or Surface 3, enjoy Windows 10 when you download it.