Microsoft's Surface Pro 4 is rumored to come out in July this year but various reports are suggesting that it may have a weaker performance compared to its predecessor.
Compared to the Surface Pro 3, the laptop and tablet hybrid, which is being dubbed as a laplet, will reportedly be equipped with less powerful processors, News Everyday reported.
The Microsoft Surface Pro 3 is powered by the Haswell Dual-Core i5 or i7 processors. For the Surface Pro 4, on the other hand, Microsoft took a different direction and went with the latest Intel Core M Broadwell chip. This is the similar processor utilized by Apple for its MacBooks as well as other companies that produce slim laptops that do not have built-in fans.
By changing the processor, Microsoft is attempting to ship a more energy efficient device, since this is what the Intel Core M Broadwell chips are mostly known for. In fact, with the new processors, the Surface Pro 4 will be more energy efficient than the previous model by 30 percent.
However, this feature will take a toll in the laplet's overall power since the Broadwell processors are weaker than the i5 or i7 chips.
As for the device's other features, Microsoft noted that the Surface Pro 4 will already be equipped with the Windows 10 operating system.
However, as an article from Master Herald pointed out, if the Windows 10 program launch does not push through, then Microsoft has the option of releasing the Surface Pro 4 with the Windows 8.1 instead. As a trade-off, the company can also offer a free upgrade to Windows 10 once the latest OS becomes available.
Currently, Microsoft is working on two confirmed versions of the Surface Pro 4. One will have a bigger 14-inch screen while the other one will sport a 12-inch display.
Despite the size difference, both models will have a pixel resolution of 2160x1440.
A third version, according to rumors, will be a mini Surface Pro 4 that might have an eight to 10-inch screen and powered by the Intel 64-bit chip.
