The NewsDemon Blog

It appears that NewsDemon.com Newsgroups is not alone in trying to help out Students. In a Twitter posting last night, as well as postings on various Microsoft newsgroups, Microsoft stated that U.S. College students will be able to get the software license for a discounted $29.99.

It’s a good time to be a student, thanks in part to NewsDemon.com and a sweet Windows 7 discount from Microsoft.

Microsoft newsgroups points the deal to the win741.com site, a recently launched site from Microsoft.  The site proclaims: “For a limited time, eligible college students can get the sweetest deal on Windows 7 – for only $29.99 USD.  That’s less than most of your textbooks! Hurry — offer ends January 3, 2010 and 12 a.m. CST.” After that, it may go back up to $120 or Microsoft could extend the offer.  There are no set deadlines for the NewDemon.com offer.

Noting that to avail the offer students would require a valid college e-mail address, a Microsoft representative said: “This offer is specifically designed for those students who are not planning to purchase a new PC this year, but would still like to take advantage of what Windows 7 offers.”

Also, just like the NewsDemon.com Newsgroups Student Discount offer, to buy the student version of Windows 7 Home Premium customers need to provide a valid .edu e-mail address or an e-mail address from one of a number of listed educational institutions that do not provide .edu e-mail addresses. With the Microsoft offer, some customers may also have to provide current proof of enrollment.

On Wednesday of this week, NewsDemon.com Newsgroups had announced a similar approach, offering college and university students discount access to all subscription based plans. Two days later, Microsoft announces this new special. Coincidence?

This smart move clears as a path as Apple does have Microsoft beat on standard prices, with a copy of Home Premium (upgrade) retailing for $120 and $200 for a Professional upgrade (versus $29 for Snow Leopard).  With the price bar set nearly four times as high as Apple’s, the pressure is on Microsoft to deliver a dynamite product .

Microsoft Windows 7 is getting closer to its October 22 launch date.  With improved security, better compatibility, and a slick new look, the OS should please owners of both powerful and underpowered machines alike.

Microsoft also intends announcing similar offers in Canada, Australia, Mexico, Germany, France, and Korea, though at different prices.