Microsoft's May 2nd event is tipped to see the popular software maker continue trotting out its cloud-based services along with a fine-tuned iteration of Windows 10 and probably a low-priced Surface device intended to put a lid on Google's Chromebook platform's skyrocketing popularity in the educational market.

A previously surfaced report from Forbes indicated that the Redmond-based tech titan will mainly concentrate on software, but it also serves as a perfect platform to debut new hardware that backs up the drive to the cloud. There's hearsay that the tech firm will come out with a lower-spec'd Surface device that will run Windows 10 Cloud, a new version of Windows 10 that centers on cloud services and focuses on lower cost technology.

There is a possibility that Microsoft might opt to keep the Surface brand for top-notch devices; however, taking the recently surfaced leaks of specifications surrounding the Windows 10 Cloud machines into consideration, it looks like Microsoft will be leaving no stone unturned in the bid to be part of the game, even if it means resorting to third-party hardware.

The leaked details were initially reported by Windows Central's Daniel Rubino and it not only featured realistic targets a Windows 10 Cloud-based machine should aim for -- such as ten hours of battery life, twenty seconds from cold boot to login, and resume to login in less than two seconds; all of which are on a par with Chromebook benchmarks -- but also offer a brief glimpse of the recommended minimum specifications i.e. quad-core processor (Celeron or more advanced), 4GB of RAM, 32GB of internal storage, a robust battery in excess of 40Whr and an accelerated eMMC or SSD.

Notably, this is higher than the Surface 3, which was abandoned last year, thus, there is still scope within Microsoft's own portfolio for a revived Surface 3 style machine, according to Forbes' contributor Ewan Spence. Furthermore, considering the hype surrounding #MicrosoftEDU hashtag, it seems safe to say that the May 2nd event's special attraction will be education market.