Microsoft will pay iPad users at least $200 to switch to Surface

How badly does Microsoft want customers to switch from an iPad to a Surface tablet? Well, it’s now willing to pay them to do it.

The Redmond, Wash.-based tech giant has recently rolled out a new promotion that offers customers at least $200 when they go to a Microsoft retail store and trade in their “gently used” iPad.

Users can bring an iPad 2 or a third- or fourth-generation iPad that comes complete with its power cord and is still in an acceptable condition to receive a gift card worth the value of the device they turn in, as determined by Microsoft.

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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 Surface RT starts at around $350 and the Surface Pro at about $800.

“Looking to upgrade your tablet? Check out the Surface RT or Surface Pro,” a company website describing the promotion says.

Microsoft introduced the Surface last year, and the tablet was supposed to be an iPad killer. But so far, the Surface has struggled to sell.

Sales of the Surface have been so slow that Microsoft had to take a $900-million write-off earlier this year, and then it discounted the tablets. The Surface RT had its price cut by $150, and the Surface Pro was cut by $100.

Customers interested in the promotion can trade in their iPad any time between now and Oct. 27.

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