There has been little competition for Apple's MacBook when it comes to feather-light laptops, but it looks like Microsoft is catching up quickly. Recently, there has been increasing speculation of the next Microsoft Surface being the new lightweight hardware of choice.

Sources from Digitimes revealed that Microsoft is planning to develop two Surface Pro 4 2-in-1 devices or "laplets." Both versions are certainly high-end hardware, but one will come with a 12-inch screen and the other a touch bigger with a 13- to 14-inch screen.

In a previous report, the fourth Surface Pro version is noted to come with better graphics and performance due to the new Intel Skylake processor, as well as an ultra-thin profile to make it handier than ever. It will also be equipped with Windows 10, the latest OS addressing the glitches in previous versions. Dubbed as a "tablet that can replace your laptop," this is a Microsoft product that has the potential to overtake current top gadgets in the market.

More details are sure to be released as the launch date approaches. These newest devices from Microsoft are expected to provide fresh options for those who are looking for an alternative to the MacBook Air, but even the previous installments already offer smooth and easy experience.

As stated on Forbes, the Surface Pro 3 is already a great alternative as an "avant-garde" device. The magnesium casing is wrapped around an uber-light tablet that is only 1.76 pounds and 0.36 inches thick, excluding the keyboard which weighs around half a pound. More importantly, the performance is top-notch with a Core i7 processor and a 2,160 × 1,440 resolution display, making it "probably the fastest tablet on the planet".

While Microsoft ups its games, other brands also offer alternatives including the Dell XPS 13 2015 and the Hewlett-Packard EliteBook Folio 1020. Amazon is also planning to produce a 12-inch tablet, the report from Digitimes said.

As the gap between Apple and the other brands decreases, the tech giant already offers a varied MacBook collection with models ranging from 11 to 15 inches. Keeping up with the trends of tablets as alternatives to the traditional bulky laptops, Apple is also reportedly planning to launch a 12-inch iPad Pro, according to a report from BGR. If true, this would be the company's biggest tablet to date.

The Microsoft Surface Pro 4 could be launched in October 2015, alongside two new Lumia mobile phones and the Microsoft Band 2.