The Micosoft Surface 2 release date has been in discussion since Microsoft launched its tablet PC gadget intended to compete with Apple’s iPads and Samsung’s own version of tablets. According to Associated News, many have thought that Microsoft is working on the future models of its Surfac Tablet since releasing the Core i5 Surface Pro last January.

The news site said that the Surface 2 will definitely have Intel’s new Haswell processors and have a 7-inch edition in order to compete with the Google Nexus and Apple’s iPad Mini. But the most expected (or wanted) feature of Surface 2 that everyone is talking about: wireless charging.

Surface 2 may even have a new name, dubbed Surface Plus, and will be available before Christmas according to reports.

Earlier reports note that the new Surface will feature a pre-installed version of Office 2013, which users only need to activate. Gleaning from what we’ve seen from Microsoft Build 2013, there will be a lot more small tablets like the 8-inch Acer Iconia W3.

Newer technologies like NFC and LTE will definitely make appearance in the new surface. If the launch of the new Surface 2 with the rumored features comes to pass, Microsoft will be one of the first tablet makers to use the new high-speed, low-power 802.11ac Wi-Fi standard.

A member of the Surface Development Team said that the Display Port on Surface Pro can drive an external monitor with resolutions up to 2560 x 1600p.

Microsoft has not commented nor hinted on the release of the new Surface 2, but many are saying that the recent price cuts of the Surface RT and Surface Pro are hints of an upcoming model to be release.