This is cool. Microsoft is willing to PAY you to try some software and learn some stuff. And you could also win a very slick laptop in the process.
“Huh? Seriously?”
Well.. in a sense. We’re announcing today an opportunity for a limited (roughly 5,000) number of people to get a $20 coupon for the Microsoft Store, simply by doing two things:
- Download the Private Cloud evaluation software. (System Center 2012 Release Candidate, and Windows Server 2008 R2 w/SP1 evaluation). If prompted for a Promo Code, enter “CLOUD”.
- Sign-up for and go through a Virtual Lab entitled “Explore Microsoft’s Private Cloud”.
And once those two items are completed, Microsoft will e-mail you and the other first 4,999 people that complete it) a code redeemable for $20 off at the Microsoft Store. 
NOTE: It is VERY important that you provide valid information with your Live ID sign in, because that’s how we will be able to reward you, and it’s to that e-mail address that we will send the code to retrieve your $20 coupon for use at the Online Store.
“Hey Dan, what about that ‘slick laptop’ you mentioned?”
How slick is this?…
A Lenovo W520 15.6”
Check out these specs:
- 2nd generation Intel® Core™ i7-2760QM Processor ( 2.40GHz 1333MHz 6MB )
- 15.6″ HD AntiGlare 1920×1080
- NVIDIA Quadro 2000M 2GB
- 32 GB PC3-10600 DDR3 SDRAM 1333MHz
- 160GB SSD SATA
- DVD R/W
- Bluetooth
- Intel 6300
- Webcam
- Smart Card
- TPM
- Fingerprint Reader
- 9cell battery
- Windows 7
Important: Remember – There are a limited number of $20 coupons available (about 5,000) and are given out on a first come first serve basis; and only one per person. This promotional offer is only valid in the United States. Whether you get a $20 coupon or not, you will still be entered into the drawing for the W520. You can enter multiple times for the raffle – you just have to complete the two steps each time. Please read the full Rules on the Microsoft Private Cloud Offer Site, as my disclaimer only has a portion of the full rules.
So.. what are you waiting for?
- Download the software (Promo code: CLOUD, if asked)
- Do the Virtual Lab,
- Get your $20 coupon (while supplies last), and
- Maybe win a laptop!
For the full scoop, check out the main site.
Thanks to Kevin Remde for putting this post together!