Microsoft's third generation of its 'Surface' Tablet is due for release on May 20 as reported by some publications. There were also reports that we can expect announcements of more tablets to be released by Microsoft before the end of this month, which includes the Surface Mini 8-inch edition.

It was rumored that Microsoft is all set up for this launch since it is the company's first time to enter the 8-inch tablet market, which it plans to do through the Surface Mini.

CNET published a report stating that the market expects a new Intel-powered Surface table from Microsoft. The report confirmed that new Surface devices will absolutely be Intel-based as well as optimized by a new Haswell variant. It can be said that the tablets' main selling points are the Intel processors.

Third generation Surface has been rumored to have the following unverified specs:

  • 14 nm 25 W and 1.8/2.3 GHz Intel Core i7 "Skylake" processor with Intel Iris Pro graphics

  • 3 MB L3 cache

  • 16GB LPDDR4 2133 MHz (4X4 GB) memory

  • 1TB internal storage and support for SDXC memory cards

  • 12.9 inches LED backlit Retina IPS display with 2,560 x 1,440p and 290 ppi

  • WiFi 802.11 ac/a/b/g/n, 4G LTE, microSIM, USB 3.0, Thunderbolt 2, Bluetooth 4.0, and HDMI

  • Windows 8.1 OS with Office 2013

  • Battery 10,900 mAh (up to 15 hours of surfing and 9 hours HD video playback)

Software applications in laptops and desktops are supported by the third generation Surface because of the latest Windows 8.1 OS. Sales of the iPad Mini Retina and iPad Air can expect to have stiff competition with the launching of these tablets. The early launching of the Surface tablets signifies Microsoft's intentions of taking advantage of and improving its control of the market, which seems not to be Apple's priority at this time.