Microsoft's Surface 2 midnight launch has everything but buyers

Though Apple is sure to dominate the news cycle with the rollout of new iPads on Tuesday, Microsoft didn't want the coinciding launch of its Surface 2 tablet to go uncelebrated. So it went ahead and decided to throw a simultaneous nationwide in-store launch event -- as is now the fashion with high profile hardware launches these days.Though unlike its Cupertino competitor, Microsoft's event didn't drive droves of people to pull out their wallets when the clock ticked twelve. In fact,Antique tubs nearly no one I talked with was interested in buying the Surface 2 tonight.For the company on the verge of a CEO changeover and maneuvering the aftermath of its $7.2 billion Nokia acquisition,quantum resonance magnetic analyzer the launch of the Surface marks a time when Microsoft is looking to stand steady on its feet and tout its strengths. It's also an opportunity to play up the cool factor it hopes its tablet line can embody and exemplify.But that enthusiasm, handed down from corporate and turned up to 11 by Microsoft employees, didn't translate to midnight sales. Here in the Microsoft Store's San Francisco location in the Westfield Center -- one of 10 locations holding Surface launch events tonight -- sounds of pulsing pop music and an exuberant staff were intent on creating a frenzied mood outside the neon-awash mall location. Fresh Surface 2's filled the tables and an entire wall of connected, colorful monitors played Microsoft ads on loop. 

Roughly 50 people had assembled by the time the Microsoft Store's doors opened at 10 p.m. It was an admittedly small crowd -- when compared with the standard Apple devotion, albeit for the more-hyped iPhone launches -- though the line remained steady even as more and more attendees filed into the store. Surface 2 and Surface 2 Pro models are set to go on sale at midnight.As for what types of Microsoft fans decided to come out for the event, it was a mixed bag,Wholesale Quantum Resonance Magnetic Analyzer QMA101 but one thing was for sure: not many were there to actually buy the Surface 2. Multiple groups of attendees said they simply received invites from a friend who worked in the store and had no intention of buying the tablet at all, let alone pick one up that night.Ernie Pang, CEO of mobile games company Bake450, immediately answered "no" when asked if he was interested in buying a Surface 2. "Who is?" he added. "The hardware is great, but it doesn't complete the package." Pang said his company would love to develop for Surface and Windows Phone, but said "it's not just not there yet.""I don't really subscribe to the whole tablet thing," said Tim Wingerter,Antique faucets one of those waiting in line prior to the 10 p.m. opening. "But I think their [Microsoft's] problem is awareness, and I'm a huge advocate," he added. So Wingerter came out, despite also having no intention to pick up a Surface.thermos bottle As an avid Windows 8 fan -- who also happens to be a Google employee, he admitted with some reticence -- he felt like showing up in person was the best way to show support.