Microsoft’s Refreshed Surface Pro Leaks With Anticipated Kaby Lake Muscle

Microsoft disrupted the hardware space when it took matters into its own hands and developed the Surface to showcase its vision for Windows 8. That feels like an millennia ago, and while Microsoft's hardware partners have stepped up to the plate with similar designs since then, the Surface lives on. Its latest model, the Surface Pro 4, is even expected to get a refresh next week.

The form factor has not changed much since the original Surface, though the landscape sure has. These days it is all about Windows 10, which brings the focus back to the desktop while still offering a tablet interface for those who want it. The Surface Pro 4 is an extension of Microsoft's original vision and can still be considered a tablet that can function as a laptop, versus the other way around.


On May 23, Microsoft will introduce refreshed Surface Pro 4 models at an event it is holding in Shanghai, China. Ahead of that press event, famed leaker Evan Blass (known as @evleaks on Twitter) has shared a collection of press renderings that, based on his past leaks, we can assume with high confidence are the real deal. The leaked photos show Surface Pro 4 from multiple angles, some of which are accompanied by Microsoft's recently redesigned Surface Arc Mouse.

As to what will be inside the refreshed Surface Pro 4 devices, the safe bet is Kaby Lake. At present, the Surface Pro 4 features last generation Skylake processors from Intel. Bumping up to Kaby Lake will give the Surface Pro 4 family a bit of a performance bump, and perhaps more importantly, it could also lead to better battery life. We are not talking about dramatic improvements in either performance or battery life, but every little bit is appreciated, especially when pricing stays the same (as is expected to be the case).

What's also interesting is that Intel will stick with the Surface Pro 4 nomenclature rather than Surface Pro 5 as previously thought. We suppose Microsoft is saving a number upgrade for when Coffee Lake or Cannonlake arrives.