Planning to purchase the next Microsoft Surface Pro laplet? Then here's some good news for you!
According to the International Business Times, the rumored Microsoft Surface Pro 4 will be cheaper than its predecessor, Surface Pro 3. This was also backed by Design & Trend. The two reports however did not provide an exact price for it. But if what they are saying is correct, then it is safe to say that the starting price of the upcoming device will be lower than $800 since the Surface Pro 3 is currently priced at $799. Well, that is of course just the 64 GB version of the device. The 512 GB version meanwhile is priced at $1,949. The package also does not yet include the Surface Covers.
Note that Microsoft CFO Peter Klein already hinted back in 2013 that the company will try its best to produce cheaper models to cater to all sorts of consumers. Klein was quoted saying that Microsoft is "working closely with chip partners and OEMs to bring the right mix of devices." He also said that they are looking into the possibility of expanding their product lines for them to be able to give a wider variety of products "at a bigger variety of price points."
The Motley Fool earlier reported that the new Microsoft laplet may be released next month or the following month. It also predicted that the device would probably be "short-lived" since it would be nothing but just an enhanced version of its predecessor. It speculated that very little changes and improvement would be seen in the new device. It can also be noted that this may be a reason for the company to slash and drop the device's price.
The report says that the new device will get new Broadwell chips. Note that previous Surface Pro 2 and 3 have Haswell processors on them. Of course these new chips will indeed improve the device's performance. But it is good to note that another Microsoft laplet may come out shortly after the Surface Pro 4 since the Windows 10 and Skylake processor are already on the way.
Another improvement being eyed on the new device is that it would be LTE-capable. The prediction also comes from The Motley Fool. It noted that it is very likely that the new Surface Pro 4 would be released with the LTE-capability, considering Intel's prediction that 15 percent of PCs will soon support cellular data connections by 2018. Note that Microsoft has not yet released a high-end Surface Pro tablet that is LTE-capable though it has already launched a Surface 2 tablet with LTE capability before. This is also despite some Apple iPad tablets with LTE capability.
However, if the new device indeed includes this feature, it is likely that a cost increase for Microsoft and price increase for the device would happen. Of course, certain new components need to be bought to enable cellular capability. Also, Microsoft has to pay Qualcomm royalty fees. This however contradicts IB Times and Design and Trend's predictions of a cheaper Microsoft Surface Pro successor.
As for other specs, Christian Today reported that it is likely that the new device would be available on two sizes -- a 13-inch or 14-inch one and an 8-inch one. The report also noted that an upgrade in the device's RAM is expected. Note that the current Surface Pro 3 has an 8 GB RAM. Microsoft has yet to confirm these rumors.