14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft has only recently presented the new Surface 3 tablet, but the company is already working on a successor to the Surface Pro 3, which, according to new rumors, could launch in late 2015.
Speculation that Microsoft is preparing a new Surface Pro tablet is not new, but this is the first time we're getting release information on what could be another attempt at tackling the 2-in-1 world with a Microsoft device.
But the October release date doesn't entirely make sense, and there are several reasons Microsoft could bring the new tablet out a bit sooner.
The back-to-school season
Microsoft's Surface Pro 4 will undoubtedly be powered by Windows 10, so by the time the new tablet comes out, the operating system should also be ready for prime time. But with Windows 10 expected to reach RTM in June and to see daylight in August, why would Microsoft plan to wait until October to bring out the Surface Pro 4?
The company is already said to be rethinking its strategy to benefit from the back-to-school sales, and this is one of the reasons it wants to launch Windows 10 in August.
Although not aimed at students or teachers, the Surface Pro 4 could also benefit from growing sales during this season, so launching it together with Windows 10 or shortly after that would make more sense.
Microsoft itself promised an avalanche of devices running Windows 10, 90 percent of them manufactured by partners, so there's no doubt that bringing them out before the end of the back-to-school promo would be a smart move that could help the whole industry.
The Surface Pro 4 is very likely to be based on the same concept of a tablet that can replace your laptop, so a 12-inch screen or bigger is expected to be available.
Needless to say, the Surface Pro 4 would be a pricey product, just like its predecessor, but it remains to be seen if Microsoft finds a way to make it available to more people without the need for discounts.