Microsoft sets Surface event for September 23

Redmond is planning to launch its Surface 2 and Surface 2 Pro devices at an invitation-only event in New York later this month.

Microsoft will be launching its next-generation Surface devices and peripherals on September 23 in New York City, according to an invitations Microsoft is sending out to press today.

At an invitation-only event, Microsoft is expected to show off the Haswell-based Surface 2 Proand the Tegra-based Surface 2 -- products about which there've been a number of leaks in the past week-plus.

Microsoft's invitation doesn't specify whether the company also will show off a rumored 7- to 8-inch Surface device. But I'm hearing from my sources this mini Surface won't be part of the September 23 unveiling.

Nokia had been rumored to be targeting September 26 for a New York City launch event. Company watchers believed Nokia planned to launch its "Sirius" ARM-based tablet and/or its "Bandit" Lumia phablet at that event. So far, however, no invitations have gone out for such an event.

Microsoft isn't expected to start selling its Surface 2 or Surface 2 Pro devices this month. It's expected to wait until around the time Windows 8.1 launches and becomes generally available, which is October 18