While Microsoft will not reveal specifications until launch, parts manufacturers and supply chain leaks indicate that the following updates will be included:
- Intel 7th generation Kaby Lake low energy processors with three models – Core m (dual-core), Core i5 (dual-core, two threads) and Core i7 (quad-core, eight threads). Kaby Lake has faster clock speeds, higher turbo frequencies, better battery life and importantly native support for 3D, 4K@60fps, H.264, HEVC, 10-bit and 8-bit video, and HDCP 2.2 support.
- 12.3” (same size), 3:2 ratio, 4K resolution screen (4K in 16:9 format is 3840 x 2160 pixels). It is likely to be 4320 x 2160 approx. to maintain full-screen width when playing 16:9 movies. It is unlikely to move from IPS Touch to Super AMOLED just yet.
- USB-C, 3.1 with Thunderbolt. It is likely the Core m model will have one for charging/data and a USB 3.0 full-size port for data. All will retain the full-size USB3.0. mini-Display Port, and Surface Ribbon connector for a docking station and keyboard functionality.
- LTE as a definite option.
- DDR4 ram starting with 16GB and up to 32GB, m.2 - 512GB to 1TB SSD, plus SD card support.
- Magnetic charge Surface pen (stylus) that will only work on Surface Pro 5 (or later).
- Fingerprint reader standard on the optional keyboard/cover but rumours of wider key spacing and a larger glass trackpad – improving on an already excellent keyboard.
- Base Core m starting at US$899.
- First to ship with the Windows 10 Redmond 3 update.
