Since Microsoft announced that the Surface Pro 3 (the tablet that can replaced your laptop – if you buy a keyboard – and you purchase an Office 365 subscription) would publicly release in June, the world has been abuzz with kind things to say about it. I can only think of a couple instances where Mac pundits decided against the Surface Pro 3, but even then, there were glimmers of positivity. So, the Surface Pro 3 sounds like Microsoft has a hit on its hands. But, will it result in revenue and success? Only time will tell. It only took them 3 tries, which is usually the case with most of the company's products when you think about it.
To push the new hotness over the top, every single retail store in the U.S. and Canada will be hosting launch day activities on June 20. Along with giveaways (including a family vacation to Honolulu, Hawaii), food, and music, the event will offer those that have preordered Surface Pro 3 devices to be able to pick them up onsite. Note this is only for those that preordered in-store, not those that chose to preorder online. Online shoppers will still receive their units through the shipping lines.
If you have a local Microsoft store in your area (I have two), you can check online to verify what the store has planned for June 20 HERE. Make it a family event. At around 1,000 bucks a pop, that's about the same you'd pay for a two day family getaway.
After launch day has ended and many are reeling from the effects, Microsoft is planning additional celebration events in a few special stores. On June 28, 10 stores across the U.S. will host a Surface Summer Celebration. The event is summer-themed and family-inspired, providing much the same as the launch day event, but including local sports celebrities so you can have your newly acquired Surface Pro 3 type covers signed, I guess. The stores hosting the special Summer event are:
- Bellevue Square, Bellevue, Washington
- Aventura Mall, Aventura, Florida
- Westfield San Francisco Centre, San Francisco
- Westfield Garden State Plaza, Paramus, New Jersey
- Scottsdale Fashion Square, Scottsdale, Arizona
- Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg, Illinois
- The Fashion Centre at Pentagon City, Arlington, Virginia
- Square One Shopping Centre, Mississauga, Ontario
- South Coast Plaza, Costa Mesa, California
- The Shops at La Cantera, San Antonio
Ironically, while the Surface Pro 3 is being launched and promoted as a business device and carries a decidedly business price tag, these are consumer oriented events. It's no secret that Microsoft is building a Shadow IT army, but do they have to be so obvious, so quickly?
