Sony Offers Free PS3 or Vita With Student Vaio Campaign

Sony has kicked off a student campaign that it hopes will see a higher adoption rate of its PC and PlayStation products. Those who buy a Sony Vaio computer will be able to choose from a range of offers, including a free 160GB PS3; a free Wi-Fi PS Vita; $200 credit on PlayStation products or an 8 per cent discount on the Vaio itself.

According to website Xbitlabs, the campaign is designed to increase the popularity of PlayStation in the US, where Microsoft's Xbox 360 dominates. In fact, the offer mimics a similar campaign by Microsoft itself, which gives students a free 4GB Xbox 360 with the purchase of select Windows 7-based PC hardware. Apple offers a similar annual 'Back to School' initiative with student discounts on its Mac products.

To take advantage of the offer, students need to buy a Vaio S, T, Z or L-series custom PC, or one of a number of select ready-to-ship models from Sony's website. The computers will be loaded with Windows 7 and will be Windows 8-ready too. Such computers are around $750, but for a free PS3 or PS Vita that offer might just be tempting to some game-influenced students out there.