Software giant and device maker Microsoft has recently launched a new ad to promote the $150 discount which it is offering on it 32GB entry-level Surface RT hybrid tablet/laptop that originally came with a price-tag of $499.

The discounted Surface RT promotional ad has been released by Microsoft even in spite of the fact that excess Surface RT inventory caused the company to take a $900 million write-down against its 2013 second-quarter earnings.

In its ad promoting the discounted 32GB Surface RT tablet, which runs a Windows 8 OS version compatible with ARM processors, Microsoft has compared the device - which now costs $349 after the discount - to the $599-priced Apple iPad.

The ad essentially has a Siri-like voice - which apparently represents the iPad - saying, "I'm sorry, I don't have a USB port... This is not going to end well for me;" with the concluding question going thus: "Do you still think I'm pretty?"

Meanwhile, even though sales of Surface RT tablet has been lower than expected, the company's executives are hoping that the discounted cost of the device will attract customers who may be looking for a low-cost, well-equipped tablet which runs Microsoft Office.

Noting that the Surface RT tablet is worth saving, despite its disastrous start, Brian Hall - head of Surface Marketing - said: "We know we need a lot of Surface users to start the fly wheel of people recommending it."