Rumour mill in full swing as Surface Mini details leaked

Eagle-eyed users spot references to long-awaited tablet in Surface Pro 3 user guide

The Surface rumour mill has hit overdrive again today after sharp-eyed Surface Pro 3 users spotted references to the long-awaited Surface Mini in a user guide.

When Microsoft arranged a Surface event at the end of last month, onlookers widely expected the vendor to unveil its 8in Surface Mini, but instead the firm showed off its Surface Pro 3 tablet.

Some suggested the move indicated the Mini tablet had been ditched for good at the eleventh hour, but now it appears the tablet could be alive and well after it was referenced throughout the user guide for the Surface Pro 3.

In the online user guide, users spotted a number of references to the Surface Mini.

"Before you use your Surface Pen the first time, you'll need to install the battery. You'll pair your new pen with Surface Mini a little later during setup," read the guide, along with a number of other references to how the pair of devices link up.

Microsoft's Surface Mini was mooted as a direct competitor to rival Apple's iPad Mini and prior to the Surface Pro 3 launch, reports claimed Microsoft was looking to snatch market share by making note-taking easier on its smaller tablet.

Microsoft was unavailable to comment.