Panos Panay, the head of Microsoft’s Surface division, is slated to hold a keynote during the Microsoft Future Decoded event in London starting October 31. He’s expected to announce the launch date of the LTE-based Surface Pro 2017 model at that time. But the Microsoft representative speaking during the recent Ignite 2017 session claims the LTE versions are already listed on Microsoft’s online storefront. If so, we have yet to find them.
Based on the brief listings in the U.K. last week, Microsoft may limit cellular support to its current two Core i5 models. If you have yet to purchase Microsoft’s fifth-generation Surface Pro 2-in-1s, the Core i5 versions only come in two flavors: 256GB of storage and 8GB of system memory for $1,300, and 128GB of storage with 4GB of system memory for $1,000. Expect those prices to be higher with the added support for cellular connectivity.
Here are the overall specs if you missed them:
| Screen size: | 12.3 inches with 10-point touch input |
| Screen resolution: | 2,736 x 1,824 |
| Processor: | Intel Core i5-7300U |
| Graphics: | Intel HD Graphics 620 |
| Memory: | 4GB or 8GB |
| Storage: | 128GB or 256GB SSD |
| Connectivity: | Wireless AC Bluetooth 4.1 |
| Ports: | 1x USB 3.1 Gen1 Type-A 1x MicroSD card reader 1x Headphone jack 1x Mini DisplayPort 1x Cover port 1x Surface Connect port |
| Camera: | 1x Infrared camera 1x 5MP front-facing 1x 8MP rear-facing |
| Audio: | 2x 1.6-watt speakers Dolby Audio Premium |
| Battery: | Up to 13.5v hours |
| Dimensions: | 11.50 x 7.93 x 0.33 inches |
| Weight: | 1.70 pounds |
The latest Surface Pro (5) 2-in-1s made their debut in May 2017. After Microsoft said that LTE-based models would arrive before the year’s end, rumors surfaced that the units would center on an ARM-based processor instead of the current Intel CPUs. But then the two Surface Pro LTE models showed up last week sporting the Core i5-7300U processors offered in the current Wi-Fi models, killing that theory. The listings didn’t show any major changes in the two Core i5 configurations save for the added LTE cellular connectivity.
On the pricing front, we’re still playing the guessing game with Microsoft’s LTE models. Their former U.K. listings showed the 4GB/128GB model priced at 944 British pounds before taxes, or $1,269 in American dollars. Meanwhile, the 8GB/256GB model was priced at a meatier 1,169 pounds before taxes, which translates to $1,571. That’s a significant price increase over the Wi-Fi models for added cellular connectivity, but there’s more going on inside the Surface Pro than just adding a SIM card slot and antenna.
That said, LTE versions of the Core i7 models may not even be an option to keep the price ceiling under control. The Core i7 1TB/16GB model nearly hits the $3,000 roof as it is, so we can’t imagine the added pricing LTE support could bring.
