Microsoft Surface Pro 5 release date delay update: Not expected until 2017 now due to Intel's new processor?
The Microsoft Surface Pro 5 has been the subject of rumors for months now, but as yet there is still no confirmation on when it may officially be unveiled. There are speculations though on its possible release date, and that is enough to whet fans' appetites right now.
Previous reports pointed to an October 2016 release for the laptop-tablet hybrid. Some even said that it will be out alongside the Surface Book 2. However, due to timeframe issues, a rollout later this year may not be possible.
According to reports, Microsoft is delaying the release of its next-generation two-in-one device to wait for the release of Intel's seventh generation Kaby Lake processor, which is the successor to the current Skylake processor. Kaby Lake is unfortunately not ready yet for mass production and speculations suggest that it will be complete by next year.
There is no specific release date yet for the latest processor but if it doesn't make it on time, the Surface Pro 5 will also be delayed to 2017. The predicted date for the market release of the hybrid laptop is around early 2017, perhaps sometime around spring.
It's not a surprise though that Microsoft is willing to delay its product for the Kaby Lake processor. The Redmond-based tech giant will not settle down for less for the upcoming Surface Pro 5. With the Kaby Lake processor equipped under the hood, the device will be a sure hit to users. The chipset is meant to make the device stand out from its predecessor.
It's also noted that the new chipset will bring improvement to the battery performance. A major complaint among users of last year's Surface Pro 4 was the battery life. Microsoft is looking into the problem and the solution proposed is the new Intel processor.
Meanwhile, other reports suggest that there is another reason for the delay of the fifth-generation hybrid flagship. It may have something to do with the company's decision to align its release with the arrival of the Windows 10 Redstone 2 OS which offers better features compared to the Surface Pro 4. Redstone is reportedly still under development.
