Want a free Eee PC? Just sign up for a bank account (in Canada)

What happens when computer prices start dropping down below the $300 mark? They become about as valuable as the figurative toaster your bank will give you for opening a new account. Well, a $250 toaster anyway. Honestly, I’m not sure we’ve ever seen a bank actually offer a toaster to new account holders, but I’ve also never seen a bank offer a computer — until now. Because RBC Royal Bank in Canada is giving away free Eee PCs to customers who open a new account, transfer funds from another financial institution, and jump through a few other hoops.

Don’t expect a shiny new Eee PC 900 series here. What you get is a lowly 2G Surf model, meaning you get a 800/571MHz processor, 2GB of storage, Xandros Linux, and no webcam. But hey, it’s a computer. For opening a bank account.

[via Engadget]

Posted on Thursday, May 1st, 2008, 5:03 pm by Brad Linder | 8 Comments

angryearthling

not actually a bad idea for a bank as linux won’t be as susceptible to keyloggers and other malware that would compromise security. still open to phishing though.
http://www.jasonclarke.net Jason Clarke

Yeah, but the two accounts that qualify for this deal cost $14 or $30 per month. It’s easy to see why this is a good deal… for the bank.
Nell

This actually isn’t the first bank to do something like this. In the late 80s, there was a bank in the US that offered an Apple //c to anyone who opened a CD with them. Of course there was a minimum deposit and you had to commit to a term of several years, so it was a good deal… for the bank.
Nell

This actually isn’t the first bank to do something like this. In the late 80s, there was a bank in the US that offered an Apple //c to anyone who opened a CD with them. Of course there was a minimum deposit and you had to commit to a term of several years, so it was a good deal… for the bank.
Nell

This actually isn’t the first bank to do something like this. In the late 80s, there was a bank in the US that offered an Apple //c to anyone who opened a CD with them. Of course there was a minimum deposit and you had to commit to a term of several years, so it was a good deal… for the bank.
Jim

You have to stay in the plan until December 31, 2008. So the costs is really $13.95*6 months now or $84. So that’s not too bad. You cancel it after that.
Jim

You have to stay in the plan until December 31, 2008. So the costs is really $13.95*6 months now or $84. So that's not too bad. You cancel it after that.
Jim

You have to stay in the plan until December 31, 2008. So the costs is really $13.95*6 months now or $84. So that's not too bad. You cancel it after that.

Want a free Eee PC? Just sign up for a bank account (in Canada)

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