How To Get a Free Xbox 360 With Your Back to School Notebook

Microsoft is countering the Apple $100 gift card offer by giving away a free Xbox 360 console to students who purchase a Windows PC priced at $690 or higher.

This deal has been running for a month or so, and offers a nice value for students that want an Xbox 360 to add to their dorm room. The deal is valued at $199, which means you are getting a nice notebook for around $500. If you don’t need an Xbox 360, you can sell it on eBay or to another student and still get $150 to $200 off your notebook.

The deal is valid to students with a valid .edu address or high school seniors between 16 and 19 in the U.S. You can purchase a new notebook at a number of online retailers, and at Microsoft Retail stores. You need to follow purchase instructions closely to receive your free Xbox 360, and it may not ship with your order.

Participating Free Xbox 360 Retailers

Here are a few participating locations, and some of our favorite deals that include a free Xbox 360 with student purchases

HP

If you are a student and purchase a new HP PC priced at $690 from the HP Home and Office store, you can use the coupon code XBOX360 to get a free Xbox 360 4GB with your notebook. There are plenty of HP notebooks to choose from, and even a few desktops if you want to go that route. You must use the coupon code and order through HP Academy for this deal. We like the following notebooks.

•  HP Envy 14
• HP Pavilion dv6
• HP Pavilion dv7
• HP Envy 17

Dell

Dell also offers  a free Xbox 360 with select notebooks priced over $699. To get your free Xbox, you will need your .edu address, an educational member ID or to call up one of the Dell representatives (if you are in high school). The Dell deal includes the following brands.

• Inspiron
• Alienware
• XPS

Amazon

Amazon offers a free Xbox 360 4GB to Amazon Student members who purchase a Windows notebook priced over $699. Amazon offers a collection of tempting deals on notebooks including top models from the following manufacturers.

• Dell
• HP
• Lenovo
• ASUS
• Toshiba
• Acer

Microsoft

Like Amazon, Microsoft offers a range of notebooks that come with a free Xbox. To get this deal through Microsoft, you need to have your .edu email address as your primary Facebook email, and like Microsoft to get the code that unlocks this deal. Or, if you aren’t on Facebook, enter your school email on this page. If you are looking for a wide selection, Microsoft is a good place to start.

Is this a Good Deal?

Keep in mind that these deals may not combine with other deals and discounts at every retailer. It is possible that you can find a cheaper notebook purchase price, but often times the value is still better with the Xbox 360 if it is something you will use or that you are willing to sell. If you want a discount that doesn’t come in the form of a free gaming console, you should look to Staples which is offering a $100 easy rebate to students who purchase a notebook.