Microsoft Surface Pro 5 News and Rumors: November Launch Plausible But June Launch Unlikely
With reports proposing an impending release of Surface Pro 5 this June, many prospective buyers are wondering if they should wait for it.
Rumors of Surface Pro 5 release date in June this year are being substantiated by news of Apple's WWDC which may see it release new MacBooks and the recently unveiled 9.7-inch iPad Pro. Microsoft is also expected to release Windows 10 Redstone 1 update. The Surface line of products nicely fit between laptops and tablets as they are marketed as hybrid devices. Reports suggesting a June release for Surface Pro 5 ignore the fact that Surface Pro 4 is well-equipped to handle competition from Apple and has matured with Intel Skylake processors over the last eight months, thanks to fixes from Microsoft.
A new device just to run an update of the operating system, without nothing else to offer, is unlikely to see the light of the day.
Other reasons to believe a June launch is unlikely include reports from recognized reporters with credible sources in Microsoft. These sources have suggested that any new launch is likely to happen following the launch of Intel's Kaby Lake processors. These processors are not expected to it shelves until 2017. Microsoft is also likely to pair the new processor with Redstone 2 update.
That said, Microsoft may launch a revised Surface Pro 4 this year. Also, the holiday season lure cannot be ignored by device makers. If we were to also factor the experience of the first buyers of Surface Pro 4, Microsoft is likely to avoid early adoption of Kaby Lake. Waiting for the processor to mature and refine could see the Redmond giant let slip the momentum Surface Pro 4 has built. Hence, a launch around November is the only plausible date for Surface Pro 5 this year, though we doubt it is likely to be an upgraded Surface Pro 4.
Given that Surface Pro 4 is being offered at discounted price and Surface Pro 5 seems more unlikely than likely this year, the wait is not worth it.
