Microsoft kicks off iPad buyback deal to boost Surface sales

American multinational corporation Microsoft has launched a US marketing offer that will let people exchange 'gently used' iPads for Microsoft products such as Surface tablets.

According to the BBC, the company is offering at least a 200-dollar token to go towards products such as the Surface RT and the Surface Pro.

Microsoft is far behind Apple in terms of global tablet sales and market share, the report said.

A Gartner mobile device analyst said that there was a far greater range of mobile apps available for iPads than for Windows devices, giving Apple a competitive edge.

In May, Microsoft launched an iPad v Windows comparison website, coupled with head-to-head advertising campaigns, the report added.

In the first quarter of this year, Apple shipped 19.5 million iPads, compared with 900,000 Microsoft tablets and in the second quarter, Microsoft shipped only 300,000 Surface devices, the report further said.