Microsoft Surface Mini Release Date: Specs Of Rumored Windows 8.1 Device Incl. 8-inch Full HD Display, 5GB RAM, ARM Processors; Full Version Of Desktop OS Expected?

Microsoft Surface Mini release date: Specs of the rumored Windows 8.1 unit, which may be released as soon as this April, is reported to have an 8-inch Full HD display, 5GB of RAM, ARM processors and possibly the full version of the Windows 8.1 OS.

Similar to the Dell Venue 8 Pro, many are hoping that this upcoming tablet will function in the same vein as it has. It maybe a disappointment if the small screen slab will instead be powered by the seemingly disappointing Windows RT platform.

“An 8-inch windows tab could work, but it's most exciting use in my eyes would be as a mobile desktop. Pair it up to a full-sized Bluetooth keyboard/mouse and a miracast display, and you have a full, no compromises PC ready to go that you've just pulled out your pocket,” commented one of our readers.

In our report two weeks ago, readers have brought up their doubts on the reportedly 5GB of RAM that the unit may possess as well as possible features like Kinect-like gestures. It’s important to note that all figures are sourced out from other reports and unless Microsoft releases an info, it must be taken with a grain of salt.

In the event Microsoft does release a Surface Mini, speculators expect that it will have the full Windows 8.1 version and not the watered down Windows RT. The unit may also compete directly with an upcoming Android device expected as the Nexus 8 by Google, which will be made by Asus.

A gadget review and news site has noted that the Microsoft Surface Mini is likely to be an 8-inch tablet, will sport air gestures and have a 1080P display. Phone Arena noted that it’s likely to arrive sometime this year. It’s expected to have Windows 8.1 and a Bay Trail chipset to ensure longevity.

According to Phone Arena, news sources claim that the upcoming Windows tablet will have some sort of Kinect-like air gesture technology, though there are no leaks or speculations on how such features would be implemented.

Microsoft Surface Mini and is possible arrival in the market was fueled by a comment made by a key Microsoft executive in charge for the Redmond tech-giant’s Surface division. It seems his suggestion has sparked all the rumors on comments on a coming Surface Mini device.

“We have a lot of great things that we are thinking about and working on, and there are multiple aspect ratios and sizes and awesome things to come from Surface,” was the answer of Panos Panay's, Microsoft VP responsible for the company’s Surface tablets, when asked about the details of the rumored Microsoft Surface Mini, according to Geekwire.com.

It was the Surface 2’s previously announced details that were the focus of the talk but in the end Panay was questioned about the speculation relating to Microsoft’s plan of working on a “Surface Mini”. Panay however was too careful with his words when he answered it and added to his earlier comments, “That’s the best answer I have for you”.

Although for now the horizontal orientation remains the only choice, Microsoft is working on enhancing the hardware with the Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2. This is in line with existing concern about the Surface device’s landscape orientation, making the tablets bulky for portrait mode use.

Panay repeated what he first mentioned in last week’s Reddit Q&A about the plan of Microsoft to come out next year with Surface 2 having an LTE enabled version. He stressed out however that a version of the Surface Pro 2 with LTE isn’t possible although the devices, as he expects it, will be initially available in the U.S. on AT&T and Vodafone in Europe.

What’s your thoughts on a Microsoft Surface Mini? Do you think Microsoft will actually release an 8-inch slab this year? Let us know.