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Work hard, play hard: Students get a free Xbox 360 with Windows 7 PCs

May 19, 2011 1:54 PM
Devindra Hardawar
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Great news for college students (and perhaps not so great news for parents): Microsoft announced today that it will offer a free Xbox 360 with 4 gigabytes of storage (a $199 value) to any student who purchases a Windows 7 computer for $699 or more.

It’s a smooth move for Microsoft, since it gets Xbox 360s into even more dorm rooms, gives students one more reason to go with a Windows PC instead of a Mac, and is a great way to get rid of its low-end Xbox 360 stock (the 4GB unit doesn’t come with a hard drive).

Even better, Microsoft is allowing students to purchase any Windows 7 PC over $699 — though it recommends a few specific models like the sexy Samsung Series 9 ultraportable.

Apple has offered students similar deals in the past by offering them a free iPod Touch. But by offering students a free Xbox 360, Microsoft will also ensure that it has a presence on their televisions. At this point, the Xbox 360 is more than just a game console — it’s an entertainment centerpiece thanks to its support for Netflix, Last.FM, and Microsoft’s Zune Market.

Students can take advantage of the deal by purchasing a PC in online stores including Dell, HP and Microsoft’s with their .edu school email address. Additionally, students can bring their school ID to Best Buy or a Microsoft Store to purchase their computers in person.

The offer will be available from May 23 to September 3 — which should give students plenty of time to pick their preferred computers. I also suggest students check in with their schools to see if they offer additional discounts on Windows 7 PCs. Most higher education IT departments offer discounts on computer hardware and software.

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  • shazamerica

    for some reason I have to laugh when I read anything that has the words 'Zune' and 'Microsoft Store' in it. Two losers if there ever was one!  Edit this article to include Kin, Microsoft Bob, PlayForSure, and I'll cry laughing!

  • http://www.devindra.org Devindra Hardawar

    Hahaha, you are so original shaz! I mean, it's not like the Xbox 360 or Windows 7 have been a smashing success or anything. Obviously everything M$ does is terrrrrible–

  • http://profiles.google.com/robbiebenoit Robert Benoit

    If I didnt have 3 xbox's I would buy a new comp for this deal

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_GZOA7PA3CQI2QIEUX4AMQMA5II Bob

    Zune HD is a great device. Don't advertise your ignorance. Go back to your Ping, MobileMe, Newton, Lisa and Rokr phone.

  • http://jailbake.com/blog/8838 Who needs an Xbox 360? Apple tempts students with $100 app store credit – JailBake

    [...] deal for students (maybe not so much for education faculty). As we reported in May, the company is offering students an Xbox 360 with 4 gigabytes of storage (a $199 value) to any student who purchases a Windows 7 computer for [...]

  • http://renaultmaster.jem54.com/2011/06/16/qui-a-besoin-dune-xbox-360-apple-tente-de-credit-aux-etudiants-app-store-100/ Qui a besoin d'une Xbox 360? Apple tente de crédit aux étudiants App Store 100 $ | Renault Master

    [...] pour les professeurs d’éducation). Comme nous l’indiquions en mai, la société est offrant une Xbox 360 avec 4 gigaoctets de stockage (une valeur de 199 $ ) à tout étudiant qui achète un ordinateur [...]

  • http://androidrockstar.com/?p=10408 Who needs an Xbox 360? Apple tempts students with $100 app store credit

    [...] deal for students (maybe not so much for education faculty). As we reported in May, the company is offering students an Xbox 360 with 4 gigabytes of storage (a $199 value) to any student who purchases a Windows 7 computer for [...]

  • http://venturebeat.com/2011/06/16/who-needs-an-xbox-360-apple-tempts-students-with-100-app-store-credit/ Who needs an Xbox 360? Apple tempts students with $100 app store credit | VentureBeat

    [...] deal for students (maybe not so much for education faculty). As we reported in May, the company is offering students an Xbox 360 with 4 gigabytes of storage (a $199 value) to any student who purchases a Windows 7 computer for [...]

  • http://www.e-learningfree.com/who-needs-an-xbox-360-apple-tempts-students-with-100-app-store-credit E-learning, E-book, Tutorial Online Who needs an Xbox 360? Apple tempts students with $100 app store credit

    [...] (although maybe not such a plus for their study habits). As we reported in May, the company is offering an Xbox 360 with 4 gigabytes of storage (a $199 value) to any student who purchases a Windows 7 computer for [...]

  • http://darmadi.in/who-needs-an-xbox-360-apple-tempts-students-with-100-app-store-credit Who needs an Xbox 360? Apple tempts students with $100 app store credit | Modern World

    [...] (although maybe not such a plus for their study habits). As we reported in May, the company is offering an Xbox 360 with 4 gigabytes of storage (a $199 value) to any student who purchases a Windows 7 computer for [...]

  • http://containsgames.com/2011/06/17/who-needs-an-xbox-360-apple-tempts-students-with-100-app-store-credit/ Who needs an Xbox 360? Apple tempts students with $100 app store credit | Contains Games

    [...] deal for students (maybe not so much for education faculty). As we reported in May, the company is offering students an Xbox 360 with 4 gigabytes of storage (a $199 value) to any student who purchases a Windows 7 computer for [...]

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