Here it goes...
dailynews.yahoo.com
How much ya want to bet the next "freebie" is free billpay (also, check out the last sentence...
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Corrected: Microsoft In Free Computer Deal
SEATTLE (Reuters) - Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq:MSFT - news) said Wednesday it would team with a manufacturer to offer a free computer to customers who sign up for three years of its Internet service, the
latest move in a game of one-upmanship driving down the price of hardware.
Just two weeks ago Microsoft, America Online Inc. (NYSE:AOL - news) and others began offering $400 rebates on computer purchases as a way to entice users to make a three-year commitment to their Internet services.
The America Online deal included a base model available for $399, meaning the computer was free for the price of the Internet
service, about $20 a month. Microsoft said it no longer is offering the rebates after a one-week trial.
At the same time computer makers ranging from tiny Microworkz.com to Micron Electronics Inc. (Nasdaq:MUEI - news) are attacking the market from the other end, offering free or cheap computers to users, who sign up for their Internet service or agree to other promotional terms.
Under the latest deal from Microsoft and manufacturer Lan Plus, users who prepay $647.64 for three years of the software giant's MSN Internet access, which works out to $17.99 a month, plus $49 for shipping and handling, will get a Lan Plus PC with an Advanced Micro Device 400-megahertz microchip. A monitor and printer are available for an extra charge.
Microsoft has struggled since launching its MSN service in 1995, while America Online has become the leading online service with more than 16 million subscribers.
MSN is No. 2 with about 1.8 million subscribers, according to Jupiter Communications, although AT&T Corp. and several other providers are close behind.
Separately Microsoft announced it would no longer charge a $9.95 monthly fee for premium services tied to its MSN MoneyCentral personal finance Web site, which offers news, portfolio management tools, online trading and bill paying.
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