Microsoft is kicking up a notch its competition with Apple's iPad with a new, limited-time trade-in offer.

"Trade in your iPad, Get a min. $200 gift card," according to the deal, outlined on the Microsoft Online store site. The gift card may be used toward the purchase of a Microsoft Surface or other products available through the Microsoft Store.

The deal actually kicked off September 5 and runs until October 27, 2013. According to the fine print, the deal is available in "select Microsoft retail stores in the US (including Puerto Rico) and Canada" but isn't available online.

The qualifying trade-in devices are "gently used" iPad 2, 3 or 4s.

Microsoft has been stepping up its focus on Apple as the main target for Windows 8-based devices, including its own Surfaces, as well as select OEM devices. Microsoft has been emphasizing the business-readiness of Windows 8 devices, as well as their lower prices vis-a-vis iPads with a series of recent ads. Microsoft launched a back-to-school focused anti-iPad ad earlier this summer.

Best Buy ran its own $200-off iPad trade-in promotion earlier this summer.

(Thanks to Johan van Mierlo for the tip on the trade-in program.)

This story originally appeared as "Microsoft launches iPad trade-in promotion" on ZDNet.