Microsoft brands new MacBook Pro 'disappointment,' touts boost in trade-ins for Surface

Microsoft today boasted that more customers than ever before had traded in an Apple laptop for one of its own Surface-branded devices.

"Our trade-in program for MacBooks was our best ever," said Brian Hall, a Microsoft marketing executive, in a post to a company blog Monday. "The combination of excitement for the innovation of Surface coupled with the disappointment of the new MacBook Pro -- especially among professionals -- is leading more and more people to make the switch to Surface."

Hall did not explain what he meant by "the disappointment" of the MacBook Pro -- Apple launched new models Oct. 27 -- but he was probably referring to the criticism by some reviewers, bloggers and customers who said the new systems lack the power and features they need, and are overpriced, even in the Cupertino, Calif. company's usual premium pricing model.

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