Gadget watchers are expecting to see the unveiling of the Microsoft Surface Pro 5 in its upcoming EDU event. But it seems like the highly anticipated laptop might not be coming out anytime soon.
In an interview with CNET, Microsoft Vice President of Devices Panos Panay briefly talked about the fate of the next-generation Surface Pro, while sharing the company's plans for the education technology product line.
According to Panay, they might hold off the release of a new Surface Pro product until they come up with a significant improvement on the device.
"When it's meaningful and the change is right, we'll put it on market," the Microsoft executive stated regarding the rumored Surface Pro device. "Meaningful change isn't necessarily a hardware change, which is what a lot of people look for. They're like, 'Where's the latest processor?' That's not what I mean. I'm looking for an experiential change that makes a huge difference in product line." This means that changing the laptop's processor will not inspire them to make a new Surface Pro product.
Some of the examples that Panay stated include a major improvement on the device's battery life, or drop the product's weight.
"You'll see that same meaningful impact when Pro 5, or Pro Next hits the market," Panay also stated. But at the moment, the Microsoft vice president categorically said that "there's no such thing as a Pro 5."
But while Panay confirmed that Surface Pro 5 will not appear at the upcoming Microsoft EDU event, the market could expect to see the unveiling of several affordable classroom PCs in Shanghai, China on Tuesday, May 23.
Other expected products include a new Surface Laptops and a student-friendly Windows 10 S operating system.
More information about the upcoming Microsoft EDU event are expected to surface in the coming days.
