Will the Microsoft Surface Pro 4 be the next big hit?

Microsoft has had moderate success with the release of the Microsoft Surface Pro 3, but rumors about a successor, the Surface Pro 4 are already popping up online. The Surface Pro 3 is a hit when it comes to convertibles, and aside from a few minor bugs certain users have experienced with the device, it seems like a worthwhile investment. Although a pricey gadget, the Surface Pro 3 aims to bring laptop and tablet together in a versatile, practical device. The Surface Pro 4 should do the same once it hits the shelves, as it should become the next best convertible device on the market.

The Microsoft Surface Pro 4 will possibly come with one feature everybody was missing on its successor: 4G LTE. If the company would launch both a Wi-Fi and an LTE-enabled device, they would reap a lot of success among convertible fans. 4G LTE seems to be the most sought after option in all mobile devices, so we don’t see why Microsoft wouldn’t adhere to the trend. Although it sounds pretty neat, the Microsoft Surface Pro 4 doesn’t have an official release date yet, although rumors peg it for the end of 2015.

There are already rumors about what kind of specs the Surface Pro 4 will tout, but most reflect expectations more than they do reality, as Microsoft hasn’t disclosed anything about the upcoming convertible. The most frequently encountered rumor is that the Surface Pro 4 will come in two variants, one with a 13 inch display and another with a 14 inch display, each available in two different variants: one with LTE and one with just Wi-Fi. Most likely, all available variants will come with QHD resolution and high ppi pixel density.

One other surprising rumor that has been circulating around forums is that the Surface Pro 4 will have a mini version, aka the Surface Pro 4 Mini, which will tout an 8 inch display. While we don’t think Microsoft would go as far as releasing so many different models of the same machine, there might be a market for smaller convertibles, although smartphones and phablets seem to have creeped in there. Performance-wise, the Surface Pro 3 is one of the best convertibles and tablets out there, so there isn’t too much need for improvement. But there is some need, otherwise the company wouldn’t even be making a successor.

With that in mind, sources say that we will have 16 GB RAM powering a newer Intel Core M processor that allows for a fan-less design. More processing power would be welcome and would make the Surface Pro 4 more of a notebook than a convertible tablet and would overpower Chromebooks and many other low-end laptops out there. Naturally, the upgrade in specs would also warrant an increase in price, so we expect the Surface Pro 4 price to go as high as $1,5000, depending on the model. The best choice would be to make budget-models, too, so that one could get their hands on a Surface Pro 4 for an affordable price, say around $500-$600. Windows 10 is a must for any new convertible or laptop coming out in the second half of 2015, so the Surface Pro 4 should also come with the OS by default.

We are looking forward to hearing more about the upcoming Surface Pro 4 and even Surface Pro 4 Mini, if it is something Microsoft is planning to release. Since we can’t say if there’s any chance of seeing the device surface earlier than the final months of 2015, we have a lot of leaks to look forward to. We hope Microsoft finds a good balance between price and performance and makes the successor of the Surface Pro 3 one of the best and most desired devices of 2015.