PC give-away from CompUSA

CompUSA -- the US's largest chain of computer superstores -- is following hard on the heals of AOL, Microsoft and Prodigy after deciding to give away PCs for nothing. For this weekend only shoppers looking for a PC can get $400 off the price the price of machine at a selected number of CompUSA stores. And it just so happens that CompUSA is flogging a 366-MHz MaxTech PC with an Intel Celeron Processor for, you guessed it, $400 -- so that means it's a totally, absolutely, unbelievably once-in-a-lifetime free PC. Well, almost. The catch is that people hoping to get a PC for nothing will have to sign up for CompuServe 2000 Internet Service for 36 months at $21.95. Well, that's fine if you want Net access but just hold your horses if getting wired isn't your idea of fun. Anyone with a basic grasp of maths can see that $21.95 for 36 months is a lot more than a measly $400 -- twice as much in effect. Anyway, CompUSA seem chuffed to be bits with the new promotion. "This new program represents an exciting new development for CompUSA and for our customers," said James F Halpin, the store's president and CEO. Not sure about Halpin's view of excitement though. ®