Surface Pro Battery: Has Microsoft Solved the Surface Pro Battery Life Issue?

Surface Pro Battery: There has been a lot of talk lately about the Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) Surface Pro. While many are focused on predicting sales, others, especially those who are considering a purchase, are turning their attention to the features of the tablet. For example, is the battery life going to be as short as some believe?

This is a problem that many are worried about, however, it appears that the higher-ups at Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) may have something in mind.

Recently, Panos Panay, Microsoft’s corporate vice president working on Surface, took some questions on Reddit.

When asked if the company had any plans for an external battery or a keyboard cover with a built-in battery, his answer was interesting:

“That would require extending the design of the accessory spine to include some way to transfer higher current between the peripheral and the main battery. Which we did…”

What does this mean exactly? Does this mean that the Surface Pro has the capabilities of handling this? For a closer look, let’s see what PCWorld has to say:

“Panay was likely referring to new connector plates on the bottom of the Surface Pro, which are not found on the Surface Windows RT. It’s possible that a thicker Touch Cover or Type Cover could stash an extra battery, extending the life of the device beyond a measly five hours.”

For a device that is supposed to a combination of tablet and PC, it is problems like these that have people wondering whether it is truly the right solution.

Would a cover with a battery be a long-term solution or something that Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) simply uses in the interim until a better idea is developed?

Here is more from the same PCWorld article:

“The question is, can Microsoft build a new keyboard cover with its own battery that doesn’t compromise the design of the Surface itself? The existing Type Cover–the one with mechanical keys–is already a bit clunky as a screen protector. Make it thicker, and the design hews closer to the litany of existing clamshell-like hybrids, such as the Samsung ATIV Smart PC and the Lenovo ThinkPad Helix. The unique appeal of the Surface, as a tablet whose keyboard cover easily folds out of the way, would start to diminish.”

What are your thoughts? Even if Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) has something in store to address this issue, do you believe it to be the right answer?

Check back here for more updates on Surface Pro Battery.

DISCLOSURE: I have no positions in any stock mentioned.

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