Microsoft's new iPad trade-in offer pays you at least $200 to buy a Surface

Microsoft has now added a new chapter to its one-up-man-show with Apple. The company is now promoting its lineup of Windows 8 Surface tablets by offering to buy old iPads off users. The Surface maker has now launched a promotion in the US that will give iPad 2, iPad 3 and iPad 4 owners the option of exchanging their tablets for at least a $200 gift card.

The promotion states that iPads must be “gently used” and the offer is available only in Microsoft Stores in the US and Canada and not on the online store. That unfortunately also excludes buyers in India.

This is not the first time Microsoft has gone for Apple’s throat, though. The company recently pushed out an ad for the Windows 8 where it used Siri’s voice to take a dig at the iPad. And an earlier chapter saw the software giant launching a comparison website between its range of Windows 8 tablets and Apple’s slates.

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Microsoft now wants to buy your old iPad and give you a $200 gift voucher in return

All evidence points Microsoft desperately needing a boost in its Surface user base. The company was recently forced to cut its Surface RT price by 30 percent due to slow sales and also took a $900 million charge for unsold Surface inventory. Soon after, the price of the Surface Pro tablet was also slashed by $100. This has not dampened the company’s spirit, though. Microsoft has now announced a new event being held on September 23 where it is expected to launch the Surface 2 and the Surface Pro 2. Both devices are expected to improve upon the specs of the predecessors.

The company’s current trade-in offer ends on October 27. That should give potential users enough time to hand in their old iPads to get at least $200 off on their new Surface 2 tablets.