Microsoft's Windows 10 operating system is expected to be released sometime in the third quarter of this year, and rumors are going around that the company's upcoming flagship slate, the Surface Pro 4, will be released shortly afterwards since it will be sporting the "unified interface" operating system.

Running Windows 10 means the slate will also be running Microsoft's DirectX 12 API, which will allow greater energy efficiency and better performance compared to the company's DirectX 11 API. However, speculations are suggesting that the Surface Pro 4 might not be as powerful as its predecessor, the Surface Pro 3. Nonetheless, it will reportedly be coupled with more energy efficient processors, which means it will be able to provide longer battery life for consumers. 

The rumored Surface Pro 4 is predicted to go head to head against another alleged device, Apple's 12.9-inch iPad Pro. Microsoft's offering will reportedly be shipped out in 14-, 12- and 8-inch form factors while possessing the same screen resolution as the Surface Pro 3 (2160 x 1440 pixels). 

An indication that suggests the Surface Pro 4's imminent release is the lowered price being given to the current slate. Microsoft slashed $100 off the retail price of its Surface Pro 3 tablet.

Consumers who wish to get their hands on the company's high performing slate can purchase the discounted models with the following details: 

• Intel Core i5, 128 GB: $899
• Intel Core i5, 256 GB: $1,199
• Intel Core i7, 256 GB: $1,449
• Intel Core i7, 512 GB: $1,849

While the prices for the mid-range and highest performing Surface Pro 3 models have been reduced, Microsoft held its hand in reducing the price of the base model of its tablet lineup, which uses an i3 processor with 64 GB of internal storage. The price of the i3 model remains at $799.

In addition to the price cuts, Microsoft will also be providing free sleeves that can be fitted on to the tablet.