In a bold move to counter Apple’s recent launch of the $599 MacBook Neo, Microsoft has unveiled a series of enticing offers aimed at students across the United States. The “Microsoft College Offer,” which debuts today, includes a complimentary 12-month subscription to Microsoft 365 Premium and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate with the purchase of select discounted Windows 11 PCs.

Renowned manufacturers such as Acer, Asus, Dell, HP, and Lenovo are joining forces with Microsoft for this promotion. Notably, Microsoft is also reducing prices on some Surface devices shortly after increasing the cost of its Surface Pro and Surface Laptop lines. Best Buy is offering the 15.3-inch Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3x for $499.99, featuring 16GB of RAM, a Qualcomm Snapdragon X processor, and 256GB of storage. Meanwhile, Walmart has priced the 16-inch HP OmniBook 3 at $429, boasting similar specifications. Shoppers can expect comparable deals from Amazon, Dell, HP, and the Microsoft online store.

Additionally, students can receive a complimentary Xbox controller via Xbox Design Lab. However, the bundled 12 months of Microsoft 365 Premium and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is exclusively available to new subscribers. Those who have previously subscribed to either service will need to use a different Microsoft account to take advantage of this offer. The promotion starts today and is available until June 30th, or until stocks of qualifying PCs are depleted.

While Microsoft typically unveils back-to-school discounts during the summer months, the early launch of these deals suggests a strategic response to Apple’s MacBook Neo and its $100 student discount. The MacBook Neo’s introduction appears to be influencing the Windows landscape positively, with Microsoft announcing significant updates to Windows 11 soon after Apple’s unveiling.