Microsoft on Tuesday introduced "Surface Plus" and "Surface Plus for Business," two ownership plans that appear to mimic Apple's strategy with the iPhone Upgrade Program.
The lets people buy a Surface computer on a 24-month contract, but upgrade after the 18-month mark as long as they're in good standing, return their previous computer, and sign up for a new 24-month plan. There's also 0 percent APR unless someone takes longer than 24 months to pay, at which point the APR jumps to 19.99 percent.
Shoppers have to sign up for Plus through or a Microsoft Store, at which they get a year of free support. An extended Complete service plan costs extra.
The Business plan comes with Complete for Business, and offers a number of other perks, such as the ability to add multiple devices to a single plan -- including the 55-inch Surface Hub. Customers can choose from 18-, 24-, and 30-month plans, and upgrade as quickly as 12 months on a 24-month contract, or 18 months on a 30-month term. Devices can be added or removed midstream.
For an extra $8.25 per user, per month, the Business plan also offers Office 365 for Business subscriptions.
The iPhone Upgrade Program -- -- costs at least $32.41 per month under a two-year contract, but includes a new iPhone every year along with an AppleCare+ warranty. Like Surface Plus, subscribers are required to trade in their old device when they upgrade.
Microsoft has largely , but is more directly competing with Apple's Macs by way of the , the , and to a lesser extent the . There is no equivalent "Mac Upgrade Program."