Microsoft in humdrum update to Surface Pro - upgraded CPU and improvement in battery life the only changes of note

Small change for such a big announcement

Microsoft has unveiled an upgraded Surface Pro in a major launch in Shanghai, China, which has ultimately disappointed the industry with how little is new.

The launch, which Microsoft had played down in the past week or so, features an improved Intel Kaby Lake microprocessor along with the new Alcantara keyboard and a minor name change to just "Surface Pro", dropping the numbering.

It will also offer an LTE option, so that users can use their mobile network to go online, rather than Wi-Fi and tethering. The company claimed that it is the "lightest" Surface device yet.

Beyond that, there's not much more to report. Microsoft claims that by upgrading to a seventh generation Intel Kaby Lake CPU it has been able to up the battery life to as much as 13.5 hours.

The new Surface Pro will also ship with the same fabric-covered Alcantara keyboard seen on the Surface Laptop. This keyboard was previously exclusive to the signature edition Surface Pro Keyboard, but will now be offered as a default option.

Much like the Surface Pro 4 before it, Microsoft's latest Windows 10 hybrid packs a 12.3in display with a 3:2 aspect ratio and 267ppi pixel density, which comes with support for the company's "next generation" Surface Pen, which Microsoft claims is the fastest digital stylus on the market.

The keyboards and an updated Surface Pen will be offered in the new colour scheme adopted by the Surface Laptop, too: Charcoal, Burgundy, Platinum, and Teal.

The new Surface Pro will launch in the UK on June 15, with pricing starting at £799.

The launch of the new Surface Pro comes amid rumours that Apple is preparing to update its MacBook range.

According to reports, the company will take to next month's WWDC trade show to unveil a new MacBook Pro, also featuring Kaby Lake internals, like the Surface Pro, as well as a refresh of Apple's 12in MacBook and an update to the 13in MacBook Air, which hasn't seen an upgrade since 2015.