Microsoft Retail Stores to host midnight launch events for Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2 in 10 cities across the country

REDMOND, Wash., Oct. 9, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Microsoft Corp. on Tuesday announced it is hosting a series of midnight launch events at 10 Microsoft retail stores across the nation to celebrate the launch of Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2. Starting at 10 p.m. local time on Oct. 21, each participating store will host the Surface Challenge, offering contestants in each market a chance to go head-to-head in a series of fun, interactive and sometimes physical games for a chance to be whisked away to Orlando, Fla., the next morning for the Mall at Millenia store opening, where Pitbull will perform.

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Attendees are encouraged to register in advance at the Microsoft Store Facebook page. At the event, they will have the chance to win dozens of other prizes as well as be among the first to check out both Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2 along with the latest accessories before they're available to the public on Oct. 22. In addition to the 10 midnight launch events, the remainder of the more than 70 Microsoft retail stores will be holding events and giveaways to celebrate the new Surface later this month. Details will be posted at http://www.microsoftstore.com as they become available, or people can visit their local Microsoft retail store to find out more.

"We've worked hard to ensure that Microsoft retail stores will be the best place to experience and purchase the most productive tablet on the planet — Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2," said David McAughan, chief operating officer of Microsoft Retail Stores. "Our stores are all about having fun with our customers and connecting with local communities. These Surface launch events are a great example of the type of experiences you can enjoy at our stores as we kick off the holiday season."

Events will take place in the following locations:

• Bellevue Square Mall
• Westfield San Francisco Centre
• Scottsdale Fashion Square
• Dadeland Mall (Miami)
• Lennox Square Mall (Atlanta)
• The Shops at Prudential Center (Boston)
• The Westchester (White Plains, N.Y.)
• The Domain (Austin, Texas)
• The Fashion Centre at Pentagon City (Arlington, Va.)
• Oakbrook Center Mall (Oak Brook, Ill.)

Surface 2 includes significant new features — it's thinner, faster and so much more than a tablet.
A powerful laptop in a tablet package, Surface Pro 2 is a notable improvement, providing faster performance and significantly longer battery life. Both devices also feature a new lineup of Surface accessories.

Microsoft continues to expand its existing retail footprint in the U.S., offering an assortment of best-in-class products, including Windows PCs, Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2, Windows Phones, Kinect for Xbox 360, Office, and more. Microsoft aims to provide a premium retail experience that is entertaining, educational and as easy as possible with these new locations. More information can be found at http://www.microsoftstore.com.

SOURCE Microsoft Corp.