Microsoft is taking a swipe at Apple with its new promotion that offers up to $650 trade-in credit to MacBook Air owners willing to jump to Windows 8.1 based Surface Pro 3.
Microsoft, the leader in software business, is looking to steal customers from its chief rival Apple by bribing them. The software giant launched a new promotion offer that gives MacBook Air owners up to $650 if they purchase a new Surface Pro 3 in exchange for their existing Apple device. The new trade-in offer can be a decision maker for those who are two-minded about making a switch from OS X to Windows.
The new laptops from Apple and Microsoft are premium devices with similar price tags. The Surface Pro 3 gets more expensive when purchased with Type Cover but specs-wise both laptops yield the same power with identical configurations and comparable battery life. While the Apple MacBooks have their own plus points like the few extra hours of battery life, Microsoft throws in extra features such as touch-screen and tablet qualities. The new trade-in offer kicked in last Friday and runs through July 31 or while supplies last, according to the company's official promotion page.
The promotion comes with some caveats, where the value of the device varies based on the condition and accessories available with it. Water-damaged devices or MacBook Air models with cracked screens will not be eligible for exchange. Also, the company notes that one MacBook Air is limited to one trade-in, which means two Apple's ultrabooks cannot be exchanged for one Surface Pro 3. In a statement to The Verge, a Microsoft spokesperson said that all MacBook Air models are eligible for the promotion, with variations in the trade-in value based on model and condition.
The 12-inch Surface Pro 3 was announced during a press event in New York last month. The Pro 2 successor features160 by 1,440 pixels of screen resolution with Intel powered chips. The base model with Core i3 costs $799, but the new promotion does not include the base model for exchange as it will be available only in August. Microsoft will also launch a higher-end model with Core i7 powering the hybrid in August. For the trade-in promotion, customers are left with one option- buy the Surface Pro 3 with Core i5 processor, which starts at $999.
Even as the $650 sounds a great deal for a Macbook Air, the company will only give the maximum value on applying the credit toward a purchase of the Surface Pro 3. The maximum value is only for the Apple laptop in pristine condition with all working accessories. The Surface Pro 3 does not include a Type Cover, which costs $129 extra. But even with the Type Cover, those who have decided to switch from OS X to Windows will get almost 50 percent off on the total bill.