Microsoft’s Surface tablet is far less popular than Apple’s iPad among consumers – but maybe some would get a Surface if the company offered them $200?
That’s what Microsoft is hoping for in a new promotion. People who trade in “gently used” iPads (including the iPad 2, 3 or 4) will get a discount of $200 on a Surface tablet or the offer can be used for other Microsoft products. The offer says, "Trade in your iPad, get a min. $200 gift card.”
The Surface tablet models include the Surface RT and Surface Pro. The device needs to include an iPad power cord and it should be non-password protected, news reports said about the promotion.
Image via Shutterstock
The offer is not available online, and is only offered at official Microsoft Stores. The trade-in offer expires on Oct. 27. It started on Sept.5.
The Los Angeles Times reports how the “gift card can be applied toward anything at the Microsoft store, but the company is strongly suggesting that it be used toward the purchase of the Surface tablet.”
The trade-in deal is being offered at “select” Microsoft retail stores in the United States and Canada, in conjunction with CExchange, PC World said.
In reviewing the deal, PC World recommends restoring an iPad to factory condition before trying to get the deal. The report also speculates the promotion is actually a way for Microsoft stores to get rid of Surface tablets before a new version is offered. The second-generation Surface will likely be announced on Sept. 23.
The Surface RT costs about $350. That has 32GB. The Surface Pro costs about $800. Prices are higher with more features. The forthcoming Surface Pro will likely feature a 4G Haswell Intel Core processor and offer 8GB of RAM.
Last month, Microsoft made a price drop on the Surface Pro and Surface RT into a permanent lower price. The lower price led to a slight increase in sales, news reports said.
In addition, the new promotion follows a Microsoft ad campaign directed against iPads.
Edited by
Alisen Downey 
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