Microsoft counters the MacBook Neo with freebies for students

Microsoft launches the "Microsoft College Offer" with free Microsoft 365 Premium and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate bundled on discounted Windows 11 PCs from major OEMs (Acer, Asus, Dell, HP, Lenovo), priced $429–$499. The promotion runs through June 30 and is available at Best Buy, Walmart, Amazon, and manufacturer stores. This unusually early back-to-school initiative appears to be Microsoft's direct response to Apple's $599 MacBook Neo.