What does the new Surface Pro 3 model mean for the Surface Pro 4?

[malberttoo]

I'll be surprised and disappointed if it doesn't have Skylake inside which would be another reason to reduce inventory of the Haswells. I might be the exception but I'm usually surprised at what they left out not what they included but I regularly scour for new stuff. They did surprise me with micro USB charging on S3 wasn't expecting that one... nor was I expecting S3 but was also surprised at the apparent segment void until it showed up.

The SP4 being much anticipated... surprises will be a little harder... especially if they hold 100% to the accessory compatibility commitment but to me that doesn't rule out the possibility of other options in addition to a compatible one.

I'm half expecting a new S3 model also, not based on any leaked or inside information, to me it just makes good sense but that doesn't mean they will do it. I like good choices, there are lots of people with different preferences, I say embrace that and let them choose.

I assume Apple will prbly go quad core with their SoC this year and iOS Nine is said to up the multitasking capabilities and probably enterprise supportability, though it's likely to be lipstick on a pigish. The A9X will have performance advantage over Atom Z8700 but not Core series but they will market the holy crap out of it so competition will be heating up for enterprise customers.

Interesting.

Lol nice.

 

[Tsurugaya]

Hmm, all kinds of interpretations on that one. Without breaking your NDA, is there any indication if it will be a media event like SP3 or a quiet launch like Surface 3 or the latest SP3 I7?

 

[GreyFox7]

NDA should be upgraded to NADA (Non Allotropic Disclosure Agreement) which, as an acronym, adequately describes that which can be said in this or any other manner or from.

 

[jnjroach]

Hmm, all kinds of interpretations on that one. Without breaking your NDA, is there any indication if it will be a media event like SP3 or a quiet launch like Surface 3 or the latest SP3 I7?

I have no idea....that isn't in my domain

 

[jrioux]

Why does there need to be a new SP this year? Apple doesn't redesign its various MacBooks every year. New models are added and old ones retired every few years. MS can also simply make incremental upgrades to the processors, OS, RAM and storage over time.

 

[malberttoo]

Why does there need to be a new SP this year? Apple doesn't redesign its various MacBooks every year. New models are added and old ones retired every few years. MS can also simply make incremental upgrades to the processors, OS, RAM and storage over time.

Times change, tech changes, tastes change. Besides, where the difference between Haswell and Skylake is concerned, the chassis almost certainly has to be redesigned to some extent.

 

[GreyFox7]

Here's why ... Skylake release dates dictate there can't be a Skylake SP4 before September.
Skylake U i7 6600U Jan 2016
*Skylake U i7 6500U Sept 2015 *
Skylake U i5 6300U Jan 2016
*Skylake U i5 6200U Sept 2015 *
There's no point to a Haswell SP4 that would be the same as an SP3
Core-M mysteriously absent from release date chart, I hear August is earliest date for any sku but it's not Core-M.

ETA: a Broadwell anything at this point would be obsolete by November and missing key features.

Oops too late for the back to school rush. Another opportunity lost thanks to Intel.

 

[malberttoo]

Here's why ... Skylake release dates dictate there can't be a Skylake SP4 before September.
Skylake U i7 6600U Jan 2016
*Skylake U i7 6500U Sept 2015 *
Skylake U i5 6300U Jan 2016
*Skylake U i5 6200U Sept 2015 *
There's no point to a Haswell SP4 that would be the same as an SP3
Core-M mysteriously absent from release date chart, I hear August is earliest date for any sku but it's not Core-M.

Oops too late for the back to school rush. Another opportunity lost thanks to Intel.

Lol I've heard this refrain several times, and it must be frustrating for Microsoft.

 

[Kif]

Microsoft is either waiting for Win 10 and/or Skylake to be released before unveiling the SP4. Assuming there will be a SP4.

 

[malberttoo]

Microsoft is either waiting for Win 10 and/or Skylake to be released before unveiling the SP4. Assuming there will be a SP4.

There will most definitely be a SP4 ...

Trust me the Surface line for the feasible future is on solid ground and I'm sure just like the SP3 announcement when it came out they will surprise us.....or at least you

I should have said near 4 billion - over the last 4 quarters the Surface Business did:

~992 Million - Q1
~1.2 Billion - Q2
~1 Billion - Q3
~800 Million - Q4 (Est)

 

[leeshor]

I think it's pretty easy to assume there will be an SP4, unless they go straight to 5.

 

[Kif]

There will most definitely be a SP4 ...

I think there will be one too however Satya Nadella talked about tough choices ahead in his new mission statement.