Trending Now - Microsoft Offers Student Perks to Compete With Macbook Neo
WHO:
Engadget - Microsoft is the company launching the "Microsoft College Offer."
The Verge - Participating PC makers include Acer, Asus, Dell, HP, and Lenovo.
WHAT:
Engadget - The Microsoft College Offer provides an estimated $500 of added value through its bundle, which includes a free custom Xbox controller valued at approximately $76.
The Verge - The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3x is being sold for $499.99 at Best Buy, featuring a 15.3-inch display, 16GB of RAM, and Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X processor.
The Verge - Walmart is offering the HP OmniBook 3 for $429, which includes a 16-inch display and similar specifications to the Lenovo model.
Engadget - The "Microsoft College Offer" includes a bundle of Microsoft 365 Premium, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, a custom Xbox controller, and discounted laptops.
The Verge - The MacBook Neo is priced at $599, or $499 for students, and has prompted Microsoft to respond with student-targeted deals.
Engadget - The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3x is available for $500, discounted from $750, and features a Snapdragon X chip, 16GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage.
Engadget - The HP Omnibook 3 is priced at $429, down from $699.
The Verge - The bundle includes 12 months of free Microsoft 365 Premium and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, but is only available to new subscribers.
WHERE:
Engadget - The offer is available through retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, and directly from PC makers such as HP, ASUS, and Acer.
The Verge - The deals are targeted at students in the United States.
WHEN:
Engadget - The Microsoft College Offer starts on April 15th, 2026, and runs through June 30th, 2026.
Engadget - Redemption of the full bundle must occur by July 31st, 2026.
WHY:
9to5Mac - Microsoft’s early launch of the College Offer is seen as a direct response to the competitive pricing and appeal of Apple's MacBook Neo, which is priced at $599 or $499 for students.
Engadget - The Microsoft College Offer is a response to the competitive pricing of Apple's MacBook Neo aimed at students.
HOW:
Engadget - Students can access the offer by purchasing a discounted machine from participating retailers or manufacturers.
(UPDATED April 16, 2026 04:06 UTC)
Microsoft has launched its College Offer, providing an estimated $500 in added value that includes a free custom Xbox controller worth about $76. Meanwhile, Best Buy is selling the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3x for $499.99, featuring a 15.3-inch display and 16GB of RAM, while Walmart offers the HP OmniBook 3 for $429 with similar specifications. This early launch from Microsoft appears to be a strategic move to compete with Apple's MacBook Neo, which is priced at $599 or $499 for students.
--
(UPDATED April 15, 2026 23:14 UTC)
Microsoft has launched the "Microsoft College Offer," which includes a bundle featuring Microsoft 365 Premium, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, a custom Xbox controller, and discounted laptops from major PC makers like Acer, Asus, Dell, HP, and Lenovo. The offer, available to students in the United States through retailers such as Amazon and Best Buy, starts on Wednesday, and runs through June 30th, with the full bundle needing to be redeemed by July 31st. This initiative comes in response to the competitive pricing of Apple's MacBook Neo, which is priced at $599, or $499 for students, prompting Microsoft to target student deals.