NEW YORK (AP) – Microsoft is refreshing its Surface Pro tablet with longer battery life and more viewing angles for the screen.
The new, fifth-generation device – simply called Surface Pro – won’t look or feel drastically different from its predecessor. But Microsoft is hoping its under-the-hood improvements will help it compete with newer laptop-tablet hybrids from Samsung and others.
Microsoft is making the announcement in China, a reflection of the company’s expectations of growth there.
The Surface has an optional keyboard cover that turns the tablet into a laptop. Although Microsoft pioneered this type of device, Samsung and others have been making their own, contributing to a 26 percent revenue decline in the Surface business in the most recent quarter.
The new Pro ships in mid-June for about $800.