Microsoft revives free Xbox 360 with new PC deal for students

[Creaky]

In 2011, Microsoft launched a special deal for college students who bought a new PC for going back to school. This year, that same special deal is being revived again. In a post on the Windows Experience Blog, Microsoft has announced that beginning on May 20th, qualifying students in the US or Canada who buy a new PC from select retailers that's priced at $699 or above will be able to get a free 4 GB Xbox 360 game console, worth about $199.

Some of the retailers in the US that will be participating in this new promotion will include Best Buy, Dell.com, Fry’s Electronics, HPDirect.com, Microsoft Stores, and NewEgg.com, while Canadian students will be able to go to Best Buy, Dell.ca, Future Shop, Staples and The Source for their free Xbox 360 console with their new PC.

Obviously this year's promotion will be a bit different than in 2011 with Windows 8 right around the corner. The fact is that lots of students might hold off on purchasing a PC until Microsoft officially launches its plans to let folks upgrade their new Windows 7 PC to Windows 8 when it is launches later this year. While Microsoft has yet to officially announce this program, rumors claim that it will happen on or about June 2 and will let Windows 7 PC owners upgrade to Windows 8 for $15.

 

[NewDCD]

Same 360 console that comes "free" with two years of Xbox Live? Same problem. 4GB is nothing for the 360; as many games use the internal memory for several functions...also, you wouldn't exactly be able to play downloadable titles from the Arcade service. It's not exactly a good deal, if you're buying it for the console...

 

[Creaky]

Once they have the free console then they would have to buy the accessories, I would assume MS would be banking on that to get the profit margins back up.

 

[NewDCD]

Once they have the free console then they would have to buy the accessories, I would assume MS would be banking on that to get the profit margins back up.

Does the 360 have an easily exchangeable HDD? Because if it does, I have to say "Well played, Marketing Department. Well played..."

 

[Tecca_Nina]

This is how I got my 360 last year. I didn't even know it was part of the deal though! All of a sudden I got handed a 360 haha.

 

[NewDCD]

This is how I got my 360 last year. I didn't even know it was part of the deal though! All of a sudden I got handed a 360 haha.

Whoah, that's cool, man. Still, is your rig pre-made? That's what kills the deal for me: I just don't like pre-made rigs. They're never as awesome as one you build with your own hands! Not to mention they end up being more expensive, too. That said, what's your 360's HDD capacity?

 

[Creaky]

Does the 360 have an easily exchangeable HDD? Because if it does, I have to say "Well played, Marketing Department. Well played..."

The HDD is an attachment that goes on the end of the console. Only problem is it's not a standard HDD, comes in a special cage so you cant just buy any old HDD.

 

[Tecca_Nina]

Whoah, that's cool, man. Still, is your rig pre-made? That's what kills the deal for me: I just don't like pre-made rigs. They're never as awesome as one you build with your own hands! Not to mention they end up being more expensive, too. That said, what's your 360's HDD capacity?

Yeah it is. I've actually never made one on my own. The HDD capacity is 4GB like this one is.

 

[NewDCD]

Yeah it is. I've actually never made one on my own. The HDD capacity is 4GB like this one is.

It's actually really easy. I didn't exactly build mine, traditionally speaking (as I didn't pay for the parts, and my mother basically went "you're not a technician. I wouldn't trust you with something like that."), but it was build in this Computer Shop I tend to frequent and chill in. I was there when it was built, and I actually helped with the actual process. Can't take the credit under those conditions, though.

It's interesting to know that the 360 HDD is actually an accessory. This promotion looks a lot more attractive now for possible costumers, if that's the case.

 

[Tecca_Nina]

It's actually really easy. I didn't exactly build mine, traditionally speaking (as I didn't pay for the parts, and my mother basically went "you're not a technician. I wouldn't trust you with something like that."), but it was build in this Computer Shop I tend to frequent and chill in. I was there when it was built, and I actually helped with the actual process. Can't take the credit under those conditions, though.

It's interesting to know that the 360 HDD is actually an accessory. This promotion looks a lot more attractive now for possible costumers, if that's the case.

I've always wanted to build my own so I could get one that does exactly what I want, but I don't trust myself haha. I feel like I'll screw up on something.