Lines for the iPad mini launch in November were described as “disappointing.” Photo: PED
FORTUNE — “Critics will be disappointed to discover that Surface Pro is in fact flying off the shelves.”
So wrote long-time Windows blogger Paul Thurrott Saturday in an item that passed on, with evident pleasure, reports of “Apple-like” lines at Microsoft’s (MSFT) much-maligned retail stores. (See Surface Pro 128 GB Immediately Sells Out.)
I’ll leave it others to comment on the significance of the Surface Pro stock outs reported at Microsoft.com, Staples and BestBuy (where some outlets had as few as one unit to sell).
But having photographed and videotaped my share of actual Apple (AAPL) lines (viz. the iPad mini launch, above) I was curious to see how Thurrott’s Apple-like versions compared.
I found a few photos, which I’ve posted below. The most impressive turnout, however, was the crowd that showed up at Las Vegas’ Fashion Mall for a pair of Surface Pro giveaways. As a bonus, attendees got to see a preview of Microsoft’s Surface Pro TV ad, a mistress of ceremonies in stiletto heels and some guys break dancing and moon walking down the runway with Surface Pros in hand.
First the photos, then the video:
Clockwise from top: Seattle, Beverly Hills, San Diego. Click to enlarge.
Las Vegas (skip ahead to 6:30 for the break dancing):
