As of June 15th, 2017, Microsoft ships the new Surface Pro, which everyone thought would be named Surface Pro 5. Microsoft has decided to quit numbering this device, and it offers a new version, without any number attached to its name, but with many improvements. If you want to see what is new about the Surface Pro and whether it fits your needs, read this article:

First, the Surface Pro introduction by Panos Panay

On May 23rd, 2017, Microsoft organized a launch event in Shenzhen, China. Among other things, at that time Microsoft introduced the new Surface Pro. If you want to view the whole presentation, watch the video below, in which Panos Panay, Corporate Vice President of Devices at Microsoft, presents the new model.

If you don't have forty-five minutes to watch the whole presentation, here are the most important things that you need to know about the Surface Pro:

1. Surface Pro includes the newest processors from Intel

This convertible device ships with the latest Intel Kaby Lake processors: Intel Core m3, Core i5, and Core i7. The versions with Intel Core m3 and Core i5 have passive cooling, without any vents, making them very quiet.

2. Surface Pro offers a battery life of up to 13.5 hours

The new Surface Pro has an autonomy that's 50% higher than that of the preceding Surface Pro 4, which means that you can use it up to 13.5 hours on a single charge. Most probably the battery life will be lower for the Intel Core i7 model, which offers more performance and consumes more power. To obtain this increase in autonomy, Microsoft has also made improvements to Windows 10 and its Sleep procedure, so that it is more energy efficient than in the past.

3. Surface Pro will have LTE connectivity

The LTE version of Surface Pro will have support for micro SIM and eSIM cards from telecom providers. These SIM cards can be plugged into the Surface Pro with LTE and used to be permanently connected to the internet, including when WiFi networks are not available. We don't yet know the pricing for the LTE version and neither when it will become available. Microsoft said that it would be launched by the end of 2017.

4. Surface Pro has a gorgeous keyboard cover from a material called Alcantara

For Surface Pro, Microsoft offers, at extra cost, a Type Cover with a textile material named Alcantara. The same material is used on the Surface Pro keyboard, which is available on the same day with Surface Pro. The new Type Cover is available in three colors: Burgundy, Cobalt Blue, and Platinum (see below).

5. The high-end model includes Intel Iris Plus Graphics 640

The Surface Pro with Intel Core i7 includes the Iris Plus Graphics 640 graphics chip, which is the best performing of its kind, created by Intel. It offers graphics performance above anything created so far by Intel, and it can also be connected to three external displays.

6. Has the fastest digital pen: a new version of the Surface Pen

Microsoft has worked on developing the fastest digital pen, named the Surface Pen. The company has increased its pressure sensitivity levels to 4096, grew its activation force, and lowered the latency to 21 ms. The new Surface Pen has a coprocessor that connects to the video card on the Surface Pro. As a result, the Surface Pen offers a user experience without lag, and it is also compatible with previous models of Surface. You can learn more in the video below.

The Surface Pen is not bundled with the new Surface Pro and needs to be purchased separately.

7. The new hinge allows you to tilt the device at an angle of 165 degrees

Microsoft has adopted the hinge system from the Surface Studio and included it on the Surface Pro. It allows you to tilt the screen up to an angle of 165 degrees. Also, the hinge is more durable than that on previous models of Surface Pro.

8. Surface Pro offers support for the Surface Dial

The new angle of inclination is beneficial to artists and graphic artists. To help them even more, Surface Pro has support for the Surface Dial. You can place this accessory on the display of the Surface Pro and use it in graphics apps like Sketchable.

9. The Surface Pro doesn't offer support for USB Type-C, but it will have a dongle

Microsoft has decided that it is not yet the time to include the USB Type-C port in the Surface Pro. However, for those of us who need it, the company will offer a dongle to include support for this port. We don't yet know the price and the availability of this dongle. Panos Panay, Corporate Vice President of Devices at Microsoft, has said that it will be made available by the end of 2017.

10. Microsoft will no longer include numbers in this product's name

All technical blogs and publications have talked about Surface Pro 5. However, Microsoft decided that it is time to stop counting and call it Surface Pro. From now on, Microsoft will continue to update the hardware of this device, but it will not give it a new version name. It will continue to name it Surface Pro, without any numbers.

11. Surface Pro is launched worldwide

For the first time in Microsoft's history, the company makes a truly global launch. On June 15th, 2017, customers can simultaneously get the Surface Pro in 24 countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, the UK and the US.

What do you think about the new Surface Pro?

We used Surface Pro 3 for several years now, and we are very pleased with this device. However, the new Surface Pro looks like a very appealing upgrade. Now that you know what the Surface Pro has to offer, share with us what you think. Do you like the new version? Will you consider buying it?