Surface 4 to Fight iPad with Two Versions (Report)
Microsoft's Surface 2-in-1 has long been billed as the tablet that can replace your laptop, but the hybrid could soon take aim at traditional slates as well. The company's purported Surface 4 is rumored to launch next year in two variations: a largermodel for maximum productivity, and a palm-sized version built to replace your iPad mini.
Christian Today reports that the next Surface will be available as a 13 to 14-inch device, as well as a smaller 8-inch version that could compete with mainstream Android and iOS tablets. There's no word on potential specs, but we expectthe new devices to haveat least the Surface Pro 3's 2160 x 1440 screen resolution, as well as Intel's new Core M processors, which are built for small devices.
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The Surface 4 line could help herald the arrival of Windows 10, which will deliver a host of significant upgrades for Windows users on both mobile and desktop devices. Surface hybrids make a natural fit for Windows 10's Continuum feature, which automatically presents a touch-friendly interface when no keyboard is attached, and switches to a desktop-style interface when you connect one.
Microsoft has been aggressive in trying to sway Apple fans towards its Surface Pro 3, with a humorous holiday commercial that mocks the MacBook and even a dedicated switcher website that point outs things the Surface does that the MacBook can't. If an 8-inch Surface becomes a reality, we can imagine a similar campaign against Apple's iPad mini.
However, in order to pull Apple faithful from their favorite laptops and tablets, Microsoft will have to come up with a compelling price for its purported Surface 4. The Surface Pro 3 currently starts at $799 and requires a $130 keyboard to work as a laptop, which doesn't save you much compared to a $999 13-inch MacBook Air. The Core i5 version starts at $899 without a keyboard and $1,029 with one.
Meanwhile, Apple is reportedly readying a bigger-screen tablet of its own, which may be called the iPad Pro. The slate would likely pack a faster A8X chip along with possible eye tracking tech.
We're not sure when to expect more details on the Surface 4, but Microsoft is holding a consumer-oriented Windows 10 event on Jan. 21. While that showcase will be all about the software, there might just be some hardware newsbeneath the surface.
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