Microsoft is once again gearing up for a fight with Apple, as its Surface Pro 5 will go head to head with the 2016 MacBook Pro. It has a tough act to follow, as the Surface Pro 4 was well regarded and widely praised. However, if all signs prove to be correct, the Redmond-based company will have another winner in its hands.
A few months ago, Microsoft unleashed a marketing campaign that directly attacked Apple's iPad. It pointed out a few key features that the Surface Pro had, which was lacking or underdeveloped in its competition. These things included a pen that could write on the screen without a hitch, full office services and a notebook-worthy chip.
From Apple's side, the Cupertino-based company did try its best to compete. That is, it released a keyboard that could easily attach to the iPad. Nevertheless, Microsoft was a little more ruthless and direct in that brief, but very public, battle. For the most part, the online advertisements were just for fun. But the Surface Pro looks now to be gearing up for a stronger competitor.
According to HNGN, the Surface Pro 5 is setting itself up to battle with the 2016 MacBook Pro - Apple's most regarded Mac product. While nothing has been confirmed at this point, the speculated release dates to spell a battle within the tech world. The 2016 MacBook is expected to be unveiled before the month ends. Meanwhile, the new Surface Pro is expected in the first half of 2017.
The Surface Pro 5 is expected to come to the market with a 4K display, though a 2K display option will be made available, as noted by Learn Bonds. Out of the box, the device is expected to run on the latest Windows 10 operating system, or the Redstone OS. The system update is already scheduled for unveiling on October 26.
In replacement of the USB 3.0 port the audio jack, the microSD card slot and other like connectors, the Surface Pro 5 is estimated to come with the new standard USB Type-C port. It will run smoothly as well, on 16GB of RAM. Furthermore, it is expected to be powered by the all new Intel Kaby Lake processor.
Of course, a new Surface device is nothing without its accessories. As such, the Surface Pen and the Surface Keyboard are expected to be updated and improved on. The new Surface Pen will reportedly sport a rechargeable battery when magnetically connected to the device. The keyboard, on the other hand, is expected to improve on the current one, probably in terms of comfort, connection and durability.
All these features - particularly the latest generation of the Intel processor - increases the wingspan of the Microsoft Surface Pro 5. In essence, it has the power and features of a laptop, as opposed to a tablet, which it technically is. Afterall, it has already been reported that the 2016 MacBook has been in production for quite a while and will therefore be run by a less powerful chip.
Granted, the Surface Pro 5 will take a little longer to get rolled out into the market because of this. But because it has only been a year since the release of the Surface Pro 4, there is not as much pressure on Microsoft to release its successor. Apple, on the other hand, has been asked to update its line of MacBook units for quite some time now.
