Rumors have been rife that Microsoft is prepping to launch the successor of its Surface RT tablet soon. Now reports indicate that the Surface RT 2 will tout a Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor and run on the Windows 8.1 platform.
The new information is courtesy of sources who are familiar with Microsoft's plans for its Surface line-up of tablets.
According to a Bloomberg report Microsoft is "seeking to break into the market for tablet computers, will update its Surface RT using chips from Qualcomm Inc. (QCOM), people with knowledge of the company's plans said. Some new versions of Surface will be based on Qualcomm's Snapdragon processors, which can deliver fast wireless data connections, said the people, who asked not to be identified because Microsoft has yet to announce new models."
With new LTE-enabled Surface tablets allegedly in the works, Microsoft it seems is looking to add mobile Internet to its product line-up in a bid to attract more consumers and give a fillip to the device's sales.
What's more the Surface RT 2 will reportedly run on Windows 8.1 OS. Qualcomm recently announced that its new Snapdragon 800 processor will offer support for Microsoft's Windows 8.1 so it all seems to fit in.
According to The Verge, "sources familiar with Microsoft's Surface plans" have let on that the Redmond-based company is "testing Windows RT 8.1 Surface devices with Qualcomm's Snapdragon 800 processor. The chip includes integrated LTE connectivity, allowing Microsoft to potentially ship its first Surface device with mobile broadband."
Windows 8.1 RT (the Surface RT version) is expected to bring new features to the next-gen Surface RT tablet, including Outlook, UI tweaks and updated Internet Explorer.
Apparently, per Bloomberg, Microsoft will also release another variant of its second-generation Surface RT tablet which packs in an Nvidia processor.
At this juncture the specs of the Microsoft Surface RT 2 are shrouded in mystery. It is not known when Microsoft will announce the purported Surface RT 2 tablet. We'll have to wait and see till the company makes an official announcement.
