Buy a Windows machine, get a free Xbox 360 (if you're a student)

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kris May 18, 2012

Buy a Windows machine, get a free Xbox 360 (if you're a student)

It's that time of year again—just like last year, Microsoft is offering a free Xbox 360 system (4GB) to any student in the United States or Canada who purchases a "qualifying" Windows PC worth $699 or more ($599 in Canada). This is to catch all those kids just out of high school and getting ready for college.

The deal begins May 20 in the US, May 18 in Canada. Just show a valid student ID to one of the participating retailers for the freebie. Those "participating retailers" include Best Buy, Dell, Fry’s Electronics, HP Direct, Newegg, and of course, Microsoft itself.

Did you participate in this promotion last year? Did you find it to be a good deal? Are you getting good use out of the free Xbox?

If you were eligible last year and passed on it, are you reconsidering the deal?

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TgD 2012-05-18 15:01:42

This is a good deal for any student. The X360 is an all purpose console that has many media functions. The 4GB storage is a limitation for sure, and I bet Microsoft will recoup some money off the sales of their external hard drive accessories.

The last point of interest to me is that $599 CAD is about $586 USD at today's exchange rate, so in the United States, you have to spend about $113 more than Canada on a laptop to get a free Xbox. The 4GB X360 retails at $199, just for comparison sake

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Nintendubus 2012-05-19 19:34:04

If I had to guess as to a reason why, a lower barrier to entry in the States may have made the free Xbox deal a bit too much of a loss-leader for Microsoft to stomach. There are a ton more shoppers in the States after all. It's a good deal on both sides of the border, but the Canucks really lucked out this year.

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