Microsoft's latest Surface Pro 8 leak shows that not only will there be an entry-level Intel Core i3 model, but also a significant memory upgrade.

German tech site WinFuture reports that a single configuration of the Core i3 Surface Pro 8 will have 8GB of RAM, double that of the Core i3 Surface Pro 7. The Core i3 version has been in limbo until now, as leaked information has only mentioned the Core i5 and Core i7 models.

It is worth noting that WinFuture's source for this leak is apparently a list of European-based retailers, so specs may vary by region, but this is still an encouraging sign: the base model of the Surface Pro has always had only 4GB of memory, which is not a lot if you want to use the Surface Pro as a full-time laptop replacement.

The leak also reaffirms earlier rumors that the top model of the Surface Pro 8 will have up to 32GB of memory for the first time, which is good news for power users as well as those on a budget The exact type of Intel chips, including Core i3, have not been identified. Although it has not been identified, it is very likely to be Intel's 11th generation Tiger Lake processors.

On the negative side, WinFuture's spec list also confirms earlier reports that LTE connectivity is limited to Core i5 models, as LTE is especially useful for professional users who benefit from the extra horsepower of Core i7 systems.

Still, it is good to see Microsoft potentially making some important upgrades to the Surface Pro series, even in the entry-level models; the Surface Pro 7 was great, but its conservative approach to upgrades has made it a very good laptop It has not been able to join the ranks of the very best laptops.

As for a release date for the Surface Pro 8, that remains a mystery. The new Surface Pro typically launches in October, with the Surface Pro 7 landing in October 2019, so we're behind. Microsoft may have wanted to launch the Surface Duo before focusing on the Surface Pro 8, so hopefully the wait won't be too long now that the dual-screen phone has launched.