Microsoft Surface Promotion Offers iPad Owners a Trade-In Deal

The recent history of mobile computing has shown that once a couple of platforms establish a firm foothold, namely Apple’s iOS and Android, it’s pretty hard for a new player to break into the race.
But that hasn’t stopped Microsoft from trying a number of interesting approaches to get attention for its Windows 8-powered Surface tablet, the latest being a promotion that offers iPad owners trade-in deal.

Appearing on Microsoft’s Surface Facebook page on Friday, the promotion states that Apple users can bring in their “gently used” iPad 2, 3 or 4 and receive a minimum of a $200 gift card for the Microsoft store. So while the iPad trade-in isn’t technically presented as a direct swap for a Microsoft tablet, the promotion is very clearly designed to encourage adoption of the Surface RT and Pro, which start at $349 and $799, respectively.

Microsoft’s ambitious trade-in approach to win over iPad users follows a series of television commercials that have humorously taken pokes at the Apple device since the debut of the Surface last year. Stacking the iPad up against the Surface, as well as other Windows 8 tablets, the commercials generally focus on the limitations of the iOS device versus the Surface and Windows 8, highlighting features such as multitasking, software availability and hardware differences like the Surface keyboard and USB port.
However, with rumors of new iPads coming this fall, swaying current iPad owners looking to trade up at this particular time may be a challenge, even with the potential savings offered by Microsoft’s trade-in deal.
The iPad trade-in promotion is scheduled to last until Oct. 27.