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.