Skip to main content

‘The Vibe’: Microsoft debuts Surface Pro TV ad on tablet’s problematic launch weekend

surface pro adA new Surface Pro ad is here, even if the device isn’t. I’m referring, of course, to the apparent scant availability of the tablet – particularly the 128GB version – following its launch on Saturday, but more on that in a moment.

First, the ad. It’s set in an office the likes of which the majority of us will never have worked in. You see, everyone moves in unison, snapping their bodies this way and that, spinning on tables and pulling dance moves that would land most of us in hospital with a herniated disc.

Recommended Videos

Having said that, the action might all be taking place inside the mind of the guy who appears in the opening and closing shot. Ah, yes. That’ll be it.

The 60-second commercial (below), titled ‘The Vibe’, contains several of those satisfying clicks made when the Touch Cover keyboard connects with the tablet, together with a similar-sounding-but-not-quite-the-same click of the bundled pen as it detaches from the side of the device – indeed, it’s the pen rather than the Touch Cover that takes center stage in this Microsoft ad. There’s also plenty of dancing, bar charts, beatboxing (highlighting its USB connectivity), circling of graphs and swiping of displays, though not necessarily in that order.

Whereas Microsoft’s early RT ad, released last October, featured young families, besuited workers, schoolgirls and senior citizens, the all-suits-and-office Pro ad shows the Redmond-based computer giant going after the business sector with the pricier and more powerful Windows 8 version of its tablet.

If, after viewing the ad, you find yourself reaching for your wallet and car keys while at the same time saying, “Right, I’m off to Best Buy or Staples now to get one of these,” then you may do well to phone ahead before you leave home. According to reports over the weekend, the 128GB version of the Surface Pro tablet has sold out at many stores across the country, though whether this is down to inadequate supply or strong consumer demand isn’t entirely clear at this stage.

In response to a tweet on Saturday from California-based Manu Narayan who complained of being unable to get hold of a Pro tablet despite waiting in line at a Microsoft store and visiting branches of Best Buy and Staples, Panos Panay, general manager of the Surface team, tweeted, “Sorry to hear this. We are trying hard to get more Pro devices available ASAP.”

In the meantime, plenty of disgruntled would-be buyers of Microsoft’s new tablet have taken to the Surface blog to voice their unhappiness at being unable to get their hands on the device this weekend.

Trevor Mogg
Contributing Editor
Not so many moons ago, Trevor moved from one tea-loving island nation that drives on the left (Britain) to another (Japan)…
The new Surface Laptop and Surface Pro are finally living up to their potential
The new Surface Pro on a table.

Copilot+ represents a new era for Windows laptops, and it's a fresh reimagining for Surface as well. You'll notice that the generational number in the name is gone with this new era -- one that comes with a new design, higher performance, and AI features.

Both the new Surface Laptop and Surface Pro come exclusively with up to a Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite, which brings massive leaps in performance, battery life, and AI capabilities over the previous generation of Surface devices.

Read more
Hurry! Surface Pro 9 and Surface Laptop 5 have hefty price cuts today
The Surface Pro 9 in laptop mode on a table.

Microsoft's Surface devices are high-performance machines that are designed to maximize the capabilities of Windows 11. If you're on the lookout for Surface Laptop and Surface Pro deals, don't miss this chance to get a discount from Best Buy on the latest consumer models, as the Surface Pro 10 and Surface Laptop 6 are only available for commercial users for now. The Microsoft Surface Pro 9 is on sale for only $800, for $300 in savings on its original price of $1,100, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 is also down to $800, for $500 in savings on its sticker price of $1,300. You better hurry with your purchase though, as we're not sure when these offers will expire.
Microsoft Surface Pro 9 -- $800, was $1,100

Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 -- $800, was $1,300

Read more
Best Buy just knocked $440 off this Surface Pro 9 with keyboard
The Surface Pro 9 in laptop mode on a table.

Microsoft's line of Surface Pro devices are highly functional and extremely portable, which is why there's always high demand for Surface Laptop and Surface Pro deals. Here's an offer that you wouldn't want to miss -- a $440 discount from Best Buy for the Microsoft Surface Pro 9 with Surface Pro Keyboard, which slashes its price from $1,540 to $1,100. The savings won't be available for a long time, so if you're interested in taking advantage of this bargain, you have to proceed with the purchase as soon as you can.

Why you should buy the Microsoft Surface Pro 9 with Surface Pro Keyboard
The performance Microsoft Surface Pro 9 is smooth and fast enough to handle all of your daily activities for work or school, as it's powered by the 12th-generation Intel Core i5 processor and 16GB of RAM that's on the same level as top-tier laptops, according to our guide on how much RAM do you need. The device also features a 13-inch PixelSense touchscreen with support for Dolby Vision for impressive picture quality, and dynamic refresh rate of up to 120Hz for an extremely smooth on-screen experience. It runs on Windows 11 Home, which is pre-loaded in its 256GB SSD.

Read more