Likely iPad Air 2 Killer, Microsoft's Surface 3 Release Date In Sync With 2015 Lumia Flagship

Microsoft has launched two Surface RT tablets so far. The original Surface tablet arrived in June 2012 and the Surface 2 tablet was rolled out in October 2013. According to WinBeta, Microsoft is planning to launch a successor model for Surface 2 that is dubbed as Surface 3 by the rumour mill.

Microsoft has another line of Surface Pro series high-end tablets. Till now, the Redmond giant has released three Surface Pro models namely, the Surface Pro (February 2013), Surface Pro 2 (October 2013) and Surface Pro 3 (June 2014). When Microsoft had announced the Surface Pro 3 last year, tech enthusiasts were also expecting the arrival of Surface 3 but it was not released last year.

WinBeta says that the Surface 3 will not be a Windows RT device. It is expected to support full-version of Windows and will be either powered by an Intel ATOM or Core M based CPU. More details reveal that it will feature a fanless CPU with low specifications.

Since the Microsoft Surface 3 will be the first tablet that does not belong to Surface Pro family to feature a full-edition of Windows 8.1 OS, it certainly indicates that Microsoft is killing the Windows RT. The device will be upgraded to Windows 10 when the OS will be released officially later this year.

The Surface 3 is expected to get revealed before or during the Microsoft Build Developer Conference (also referred to as BUILD event) that will be held from April 29 to May 1 this year. According to WinBeta, at the start of this year, the Redmond giant had proclaimed that the first generation Surface tablet and the Surface 2 will not receive the full Windows 10 upgrade.

It was an indication from the company that they are in no plans to axe the Surface family tablet. It also hinted that the next Surface tablet will come with support for Windows 10 OS. Since the BUILD event is coming soon, Microsoft is expected to unveil new hardware devices.

As of this writing, Microsoft has not confirmed anything on the successor model for Surface 2. Win Beta expects that the Redmond giant may reveal a new Lumia flagship at the BUILD conference.

The Surface 2 tablet was pitted against Apple iPad Air which was also released in October 2013. The iPad Air 2 was released last year October 2014. Microsoft did not reveal the Surface 3 last year. Will it be able to kill the iPad Air 2? Do let us know your views by adding comments.

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