After it failed to make an appearance at the Microsoft event last Oct. 26, it may not take long before consumers can get their hands on the Surface Pro 5 as the device may arrive in the market within the first quarter of 2017.

Although there were some who were skeptical whether the Surface Pro 5 would arrive at Microsoft's event late last month, it can't be denied that there were still some Microsoft fans who hoped that the device would be unveiled. At the end of the event, though, the skeptics were right as not even a mention of the Surface Pro 5 happened as it was the Surface Studio, Surface Book i7, and the Surface Dial, that took the center stage.

The disappointment was soon replaced with renewed excitement, though, as just days after the Microsoft event, rumors claiming that the Surface Pro 5 may arrive between January and March next year have dominated the Internet. Reportedly, the device will be released along with the launch of the Surface Book 2 and the alleged Surface Phone.

Apart from being alleged to arrive early next year, there are also numerous rumors as to what the Surface Pro 5 will offer. However, one of the most loudly rumored features of the Surface Pro 5 is its Surface Pen. While it's true that the current version of the device already comes with its own Surface Pen, the one to arrive with the Surface Pro 5 is said to automatically charge when it docks magnetically on the device.

On the other hand, there are some rumors claiming that the Surface Pro 5 will run on Intel Sky Lake. Nonetheless, rumors claiming that the device will pack the Intel Kaby Lake processor are much louder. In fact, it is even said that it is the very reason why the Surface Pro 5 was not launched last month as the latest chipset from Intel was only shipped out recently.

In the event that the Surface Pro 5 really arrives within the first quarter of next year, it can finally be confirmed if speculations on what the device will offer are true or not. After all, CNET opines that the Surface Pro 5 has finally convinced tech fans that the laptop can be replaced by a tablet.

According to the said online publication, Microsoft's Surface line has set the trend that is now being copied by other big tech brands in the market today, such as Apple and Google, both of which have taken inspiration from the Surface's snap-on keyboard and the Surface's line of versatility features.