Microsoft offers students a free Xbox with new Windows 7 PCs

If you are about to plunk down some cash for a new Windows 7 PC for your college studies, you may be able to score a free Xbox with that purchase. Microsoft is giving away a free Xbox 360 4GB console with the purchase of a Windows 7 PC $699 or more beginning this week through September 3, or until it determines that supplies have run out.

Best Microsoft MCTS Training, Microsoft MCITP Training at certkingdom.com

The offer requires that the purchaser provide verification of college student status by either purchasing the machine by using an e-mail with an ".edu" address or by showing a student id at participating retailers. Online participating retailers include Dell.com, HP.com (beginning May 26) or the Microsoft Store.

Microsoft also offers a somewhat annoying free tool, called the PC Scout, that can help students find the right Windows 7 PC. But don't use it if you over eight years old and you have a low tolerance for corny jokes. It's "interactive" meaning its got an MC doing a lot of talking in between offering you radio buttons to move the buying process along.

Instead, the Microsoft store does a good job of pinpointing available laptops and specs with a few clicks. It showed me nine laptops/netbooks in the $699-$799 range within seconds. That Dell Inspiron Duo Convertible PC looks awesome, but the Lenovo IdeaPad U260 also looks beautiful and durable.