Suppliers peg Surface Pro 5 release date for the first quarter of 2017

Microsoft may have refreshed its Surface Book earlier this year, but fans of the firm’s previous ultrabook attempts have been left wondering about a refresh to the more ambitious Surface Pro devices.

Although this doesn’t count as confirmation, we now have a report from one of Microsoft’s suppliers- Pegatron  (via Digitimes) – claiming the device is due for release in the first quarter of 2017.

According to Digitimes, the new Surface will feature an Ultra HD display and “a magnetically charging stylus” (it is unclear whether this refers to the current magnetic connector of the Surface Pro family or a new technology altogether.)

The report  also notes that Microsoft has considered adding a new supplier for the Surface Pro 5  – Quanta Computer – although whether this is due to improved sales forecasts or other factors is not entirely clear.

This tallies up with earlier rumors of the device coming in March 2017, possibly side by side with the new Windows 10 Creators Update.

It is unknown whether Microsoft will also update the Surface Pro 4’s connectors to include USB Type C and/or change the size and aspect ratio. While many PC manufacturers have moved on to USB Type C in their devices, Microsoft has oddly enough not adopted the new standard in its newer devices, instead sticking to a combination of its own proprietary Surface Connect adapter and legacy USB ports on its Surface devices. Much like Apple’s iPhones, Microsoft has seemingly kept to a ticktock update scenario with the Surface Pro line so far – meaning the Surface Pro family is just about due for more than a spec bump.

What are you expecting from the new Surface? Let us know in the comments below.