On Sunday, Microsoft will embark on a back-to-school promotion in U.S. with an offer of a free Xbox 360 game console to entitled students who procure a Windows PC priced at $699 or higher. An analyst at Technology Business Research, Ezra informed that the timing may not be coincidental. It has been observed that Microsoft rival Apple launched its own back-to-school deal the last week of May over the last two years.

Gottheil appreciated this move and asserted that it is a smart act for Microsoft. He continues that Microsoft is identifying a potential market going forward and using their consumer-oriented product like Apple. This may target gender-wise, the males.
In a press release and supporting blog post Thursday Microsoft said that this promotion may run until Sept. 3, or as long as supplies last.

It has been reported that high school or college students with status proof like a student ID card or an email address that end in .edu are eligible to receive a 4GB Xbox 360 video game console when they buy a Windows PC for $699 or more.

However, Microsoft is linked with some of its biggest partners such as Hewlett-Packard, Dell and retailer Best Buy as per the deal.

Microsoft declares that all that the students require to do is simply show their ID cards at Best Buy or at one of Microsoft’s own retail outlets while purchasing the Windows desktop or notebook. Currently, Microsoft owns 11 stores in different cities like Atlanta, San Diego, Los Angeles, and Bellevue, Wash. Well, students can also go to hp.com and dell.com with an .edu email address in order to make online purchase. The eligible students can get the 4GB Xbox 360 at the lowest-priced game console i.e. $199. Coincidentally, Apple had also offered the same amount during its last promotion.

Apple started its student offer of May 25 2010 of providing reimbursements upto $199 towards the purchase of an iPod Touch when eligible students buy a qualifying Mac notebook or desktop. Well, Apple launched the back-to-school deal on May 27 with the rebate upto $229 a year back. Gottheil doesn’t anticipate the latter to elevate its offer in retort, even after being beaten by Microsoft’s promotional punch.

Gottheil supported the iPod Touch deal to suit Apple well for ample reasons. He said that it gets PC owners into iOS for one and it fits the college demographic. He adds further that if Apple launches a subscription music service, it is indeed the right product with a Mac.

Reports disclosed this week mentioned unnamed sources in the music industry have stated that Apple has struck subscription licensing deals with three of the four major recording labels. This drives the speculations that Apple is going to introduce a cloud-based music service as early as June 6, when it opens the annual developer conference. Gottheil has refused to predict about the more successful back-to-school offer.