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"The recent history of mobile computing has shown that once a couple of platforms establish a firm foothold, namely Apple\u2019s iOS and Android, it\u2019s pretty hard for a new player to break into the race. \nBut that hasn\u2019t 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.\nSEE ALSO: Microsoft Surface Pro: Finally, a Worthy Flagship for Windows 8\nAppearing on Microsoft\u2019s Surface Facebook page on Friday, the promotion states that Apple users can bring in their \u201Cgently used\u201D 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\u2019t 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.\n\nPost by Surface.\nMicrosoft\u2019s 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.\nHowever, 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\u2019s trade-in deal. \nThe iPad trade-in promotion is scheduled to last until Oct. 27.\nImage: Microsoft, YouTube\n      window._msla=window.loadScriptAsync||function(src,id){if(document.getElementById(id))return;var js=document.createElement('script');js.id=id;js.src=src;document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0].parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);};\n_msla(\"//connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#appId=116628718381794&amp;xfbml=1&amp;status=1&amp;cookie=1\",\"facebook_jssdk\");"^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://mashable.com/2013/09/14/microsoft-surface-ipad-trade/>