Unless something big changes in the next few weeks or so, it appears that people can look forward to a 2017 launch for Microsoft's Surface Pro 5.

Even though earlier rumors have hinted that a 2016 launch for the new Microsoft tablet could take place, there continues to be no indication that such an event is imminent.

Still, even if the rest of 2016 may not yield any sighting of the updated Microsoft tablet, that doesn't mean that people will have to wait for that much longer just to see it.

As a recent report from ZD Net's Mary Jo Foley noted, different Surface-branded devices, including the Surface Pro 5 itself, could be launched by the spring of next year.

A spring launch for the tablet would mean that people will still have to wait for a few months more before they finally get the chance to see it, though at least having some kind of release window should provide some kind of assurance to those thinking about getting this new device.

Since the Surface Pro 5 isn't expected to come out for a while, it should probably come as no surprise that its possible specs and features remain largely unknown at this point.

Rumors have continually hinted that the updated Microsoft tablet will likely be equipped with Intel's Kaby Lake processor and that it may also run the Redstone 2 version of the Windows 10 operating system, but beyond that, it's still a big guessing game.

While it's by no means confirmed, Tech Radar has indicated that adding at least one USB-C port could be a good way for Microsoft to improve the new tablet whenever it may be officially launched, so that may be another thing for people to watch out for.

More details about the Surface Pro 5 should be made available in the weeks and months ahead.