Microsoft's New Surface Pro 5 Specs, Release Date Revealed, Has 13.5 Hour Battery Life

The new Microsoft Surface Pro 5 was officially revealed at Microsoft’s hardware event Tuesday morning, so here’s everything we’ve learned about the device so far. It’s got Kaby Lake specs, a huge battery boost and a whole lot more planned to release June 15. The news arrives in a report from the Verge.

While we’re calling it the Surface Pro 5, it technically doesn’t carry that name. Microsoft has opted to call it the new Surface Pro, and it was referred to as Jupiter while in development.

Read: Microsoft Teases Surface Pro Announcement For May 23

As expected, it’s got a seventh-gen Kaby Lake CPU, but that seemingly small change contributes to a few huge benefits for the 2017 tablet. For one, the chip’s efficiency helps offer as long as 13.5 hours of battery life. Lackluster endurance was a huge issue for the Surface Pro 4, but this updated model offers a 50 percent improvement in that area. Because Kaby Lake’s low-end configurations run much cooler, the new Surface Pro’s m3 and i5 models even have a fanless design.

Such a massive leap in performance can be owed to a few elements unique to the new Surface Pro. For one, the fact that its SSD storage is integrated into the motherboard makes all data retrieval a much faster and simpler process. Continued improvements to the Windows 10 architecture also make the operating system much lighter as well. Microsoft placed the speed of Windows 10 S front and center while revealing the Surface Laptop, and it would appear some of those refinements have made their way over to the Pro edition as well.

While the new Surface Pro’s basic dimensions are almost an exact replica of its predecessor, the 2017 model also hides the secret of a brand new hinge. Like the Surface Studio, this tablet can swivel to a 165-degree angle so that it lays nearly flat on a table. It doesn’t snap like the previous design, so users can’t accidentally pinch their fingers while attaching it to a Type Cover.

Read: Microsoft’s New Surface Pro Revealed In Leaked Photos

Those are the kind of improvements that everyone who buys the new Surface Pro can experience, but there are some optional accessories to consider. A brand new Type Cover features the soft and warm Alcantara fabric of the Surface Laptop for $130. LTE, SIM and eSIM capability will also cost extra. No longer in the box is a $99 Surface Pen with improved tilt mechanics and sensitivity. Support for the recently announced Surface Dial also offers smooth scrolling in select applications. Oh, and those who want USB-C connectivity can buy a dongle to make that work.

As expected, Microsoft is bullish about the impact the new Surface Pro will potentially have on the market. “I believe it will be the fastest-adopted Pro we’ve ever shipped," Microsoft Surface chief Panos Panay said. “There’s a reason for that. The brand is here and there’s people who have been waiting for it, and it turns out it’s just a kick-ass device."

The new Surface Pro releases June 15 for the starting price of $799. It’s available for preorder now.

What do you think of the new Surface Pro? Do its specs align with the rumors and speculation surrounding Surface Pro 5? Tell us in the comments section!