Microsoft Offers MacBook Owners Up to $1,000 Extra to Switch to the Surface Laptop Ultra
The "break up with your MacBook" promotion runs to November 23 in the US and Canada, pays after Microsoft inspects the old laptop, and the bonus amount depends on the device traded in.
Microsoft is offering MacBook owners up to $1,000 when they trade in an old laptop and buy a Surface Laptop Ultra. The promotion, branded "Break up with your MacBook," runs from October 7 to November 23, 2026, and the actual payout depends on the model and condition of the laptop handed over (Windows Central).
What the offer says
Microsoft's product page carries the headline "Break up with your MacBook and get up to $1,000*." The offer applies to new Surface Laptop Ultra purchases made between October 7 and November 23 through the Microsoft Store online, in the United States and Canada only (Windows Latest). Buyers must start an online trade-in claim for a qualifying used device and supply proof of purchase. Microsoft says the cash-back amount "varies depending on device purchased and value of trade in."
The Surface Laptop Ultra starts at $2,599.99, which Windows Central describes as the lowest price among laptops built on Nvidia's RTX Spark platform. Pre-orders are open at Microsoft.com and Best Buy, and Windows Central reports that shipments begin on October 16. The laptop uses an Nvidia N1X processor with RTX graphics, up to 128GB of unified memory and a mini-LED display, according to the same report.
How the $1,000 works
Reports differ on how the money is structured. Windows Central and Windows Latest say the bonus is paid on top of the normal trade-in value. Windows Report describes it as up to $1,000 in trade-in value toward a Surface Laptop Ultra, which reads as a single amount. Microsoft's own wording, cash back that varies with the device and the trade-in, leaves the exact arithmetic open. Anyone planning around the figure should check the quote Microsoft's trade-in tool gives for their specific laptop.
What is clear is when the money arrives. Microsoft says "The total amount is paid after your device is received and evaluated, not applied at checkout." A buyer pays the full price first and waits. Windows Latest says payment comes by PayPal or bank transfer.
The conditions
The fine print is long. Trade-in devices must be mailed within 15 days of starting the online claim. The device must belong to the person trading it in, power on, hold a charge without being plugged in, and be fully functional with no cracks, liquid damage, modifications or broken seals. It cannot be password protected, which for a MacBook means turning off Find My, and must include original chargers, accessories and the hard drive. The final value is set after inspection by Teladvance, which runs the Microsoft Store Trade-in Program, and all trade-ins are final once submitted.
The offer is limited to one per customer, cannot be transferred or combined with other offers, and Microsoft may change or end it at any time. A device that the inspector finds a problem with could be worth less than the quote shown online.
What a MacBook is worth
The maximum is hard to reach. Quotes from Microsoft's trade-in tool reported by the press vary widely:
| MacBook traded in | Quoted trade-in value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 MacBook Pro 13-inch, entry-level | $45 | TechRadar |
| 2024 MacBook Pro 14-inch, M4, 16GB/1TB | $755 | TechRadar |
| 2025 MacBook Pro 16-inch, 128GB/4TB | $2,115 | Windows Central |
The $2,115 figure, the highest Windows Central's Sean Endicott found, is for an unusually high-specification machine in excellent condition. Most owners will see much lower numbers, so the headline $1,000 is best read as a ceiling. Macworld has also looked at what the offer means for a typical MacBook owner.
Who this suits
For someone who already planned to buy a Surface Laptop Ultra and owns a recent, well-specified MacBook Pro, the trade-in value plus bonus could cut the effective price noticeably. For anyone else, the promotion is a reason to look, not a reason to switch. Windows Central has also argued that the laptop's RTX graphics are not a strong pick for PC gamers, so the case for moving platforms should rest on how the machine fits a buyer's software and workflow, not on the discount alone.
What to watch next
Watch for the first independent reviews once units ship on October 16, and for whether Microsoft extends the promotion to other regions or Surface models. Also watch for rival offers from other makers of RTX Spark laptops, and for any change to the terms before the November 23 deadline.
