Mar 31, 2017 12:46 PM EDT By Lucy McClaren, UniversityHerald Reporter

Microsoft is set to ramp up the productivity and entertainment functionalities in the Surface Pro 5 with upgraded peripherals like the Surface Dial as necessary in a "modern PC." Moreover, the hybrid laptop can be pitched as an affordable Virtual Reality solution that capitalizes on the best VR gaming that Windows 10 can offer.

Microsoft has long been claiming that a "modern PC" including the Surface Pro 5 will need upgraded peripherals as well like Surface Dial, wearables, headsets and more. This suggests that the upcoming tablet may be more optimized for Microsoft's own VR headsets which entail adding USB 3.0 ports to meet the VR system requirements. The newest Surface Pro iteration may be Microsoft's affordable VR solution according to Tech Radar. Incidentally, the Surface Pro 5 may also be following the MacBook Pro's transition to USB Type-C ports.

The Surface Pro 5 is expected to have serious upgrades and not just run-of-the-mill ones to follow the huge success of the Surface Pro 4. Other than a more powerful processor like Kaby Lake or a more efficient one like AMD Ryzen, the hybrid 2-in-1 is also expected to have a beefier storage, longer battery life, and a smarter Surface Stylus Pen. The Stylus pen is now rechargeable via a USB connection that is designed to hold the pen in place while charging at the same time.

The upcoming hybrid device is expected to have a crisper and bigger screen by upgrading from 267 ppi to 4K as well as moving from the 12.3-in. screen to 12.9-inch similar to the top tier iPad Pro variant. With a bigger better display, the Surface Pro 5 can leverage on the new Game Mode feature in the Windows 10 Creators Update. The feature enables the GPU to allocate resources and prioritize the game over other tasks happening in the background. The feature will be even better with a USB fast-charging and longer battery life to at least 7 hours of video playback from the 5 hours in real-world though Microsoft claims it to be 9.

Moreover, the Surface Pro 5 is highly rumored to be the device to showcase the Windows 10 Creators Update which is set to roll out on April 11. This report came to light after the big reveal that the Surface Book will be skipping the company's spring hardware event according to the sources close to ZDNet's Mary Jo Foley, a long-time Microsoft watcher. The same sources say they are unsure of the Surface Pro 5, which still gives Microsoft fans a small window of hope that there may still be a chance that the new hybrid tablet may be unveiled at the said event along with a new Surface device. Microsoft is believed to be bringing a new category device, called Cloud Books which will compete with the Chromebooks in the market.

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