Are Surface Mini and Surface 3 Launching Soon?

Brian P. Rubin -

Earlier this year, Microsoft announced the Surface Pro 3 at an event in New York – an event that many thought would also see the debut of the long-rumored Surface Mini tablet. That didn’t happen, and since then, it’s seemed like the Surface Mini project was dead. But “sources” have been cited this weekend that say the Surface Mini will in fact be released before this holiday season.

The news comes by way of a post on Neowin, which points the way back to a tweet from TK Tech News. Take it away, Twitter:

That’s right, not only will Microsoft be launching the Surface Mini this fall – which is said to simply be sitting in a warehouse somewhere, waiting for its release – but Microsoft will also supposedly be putting out a non-pro version of the Surface 3. The Neowin post also links back to an earlier post from this summer that also indicated that last bit of news might be the real deal.

So what would a Surface 3 be like? Well, apparently it would be thinner and lighter than the other two non-pro Surface tablets, with a 10.6-inch display to allow for more accessory compatibility as well as the excellent kickstand. Apparently it’ll also make use of the Surface Pen accessory. Presumably, it’ll run Windows RT, too, so if you’re looking for a slim and not-terribly-powerful version of the Surface, that’ll be the device for you.

Of course, I have my doubts about both of these reports. Everything we’ve heard in the last few months indicates that the Surface Mini is simply not going to come out, mainly because it doesn’t have anything new to offer, and would likely not do too well in the face of better established devices at the same form factor. That said, rumors back in July said that the Surface Mini would still see a release. I had my doubts then and they remain now…but anything’s possible.

Similarly, a Windows RT version of the Surface 3 also feels unlikely, though I suppose it’s a possibility. Perhaps the Windows RT devices that Microsoft keeps pumping out will eventually enjoy Windows 10 support when that launches next year. With Windows 10’s Continuum feature, users will supposedly have different experiences on different devices, but there will be continuity between those devices in terms of apps and features. With the knowledge of Windows 10’s impending release in 2015, suddenly releasing a budget-focused Surface 3 this fall seems a bit more plausible.

Either way, we’ll know more in the coming months if Microsoft has any plans for either of these devices. Stay tuned.

[Source: Neowin]