First, this deal can only be made within Microsoft’s brick-and-mortar stores located nationwide. Second, the laptop or desktop must be checked into the Answer Desk at participating stores before 12 noon local time. Finally, this deal actually started back on June 27 and conveniently ends on July 29 (or while supplies last), the same day Microsoft pulls the plug on its free upgrade plan.
According to Microsoft, if you bring in a desktop or laptop that isn’t compatible with Windows 10, Microsoft will recycle the device and hand over a measly $150 toward the purchase of a new PC. But if your device is capable of receiving the Windows 10 treatment, customers will not only get a new operating system for free, but receive a $20 discount on Office 365 Home on the spot.
“To be eligible for trade-in, you must own the qualifying device, device must power on, battery must hold charge and not be required to be plugged in to operate, and be in fully functional, working condition without broken/missing components, cracked display/housing, liquid damage, modification(s) or have device warranty seal broken to be considered working,” reads the fine print.
Devices must also be running Windows 8 or newer, Microsoft adds, leaving older Windows 7 machines out of the trade-in deal.
Unfortunately, Microsoft doesn’t provide the exact model of the Dell Inspiron 15 it’s currently dishing out to qualified customers. Dell’s series of Inspiron 15 notebooks actually consists of numerous 3000 and 5000 models packing Intel and AMD processors as well as both versions of Windows 10 (Home and Pro). Prices range from $250 to $580, and we’re betting Microsoft is offering one of the cheaper 3000 models with an Intel Pentium, Intel Core i3, or AMD A6 processor inside.
This promotion is obviously one of Microsoft’s last attempts to push customers onto the Windows 10 bandwagon before the free upgrade program ends later this month. Microsoft’s aggressive upgrade stance has been quite bold since Windows 10’s release on July 29, 2015, and the company is currently making its final push with a full-blown full screen nagging customers about the upgrade one last time.
That said, Microsoft is seemingly trying to prevent another Windows XP “epidemic” where customers stick with an outdated, unsecured platform for far too long. Right now, Windows XP still claims 9.78-percent of the operating system market, a platform launched in 2001 that Microsoft finally stopped supporting in April 2014. Windows 10 actually falls into second place with 19.14-percent, following Windows 7’s lead with 49.05-percent.
Once the free upgrade plan expires on July 29, customers wanting to upgrade their devices will be required to spend $120 for Windows 10 Home on each machine, or $200 for Windows 10 Pro on each machine. Seriously, if you have more than one Windows 7 SP1/Windows 8.1 machine residing in your household or office, upgrading for free now will save you loads of money in the future.
To take advantage of Microsoft’s latest bet, the company provides a tool for finding a Microsoft Store near you right here.
