It's not worth the rebate. (Score 2)

Regardless of whether or not Microsoft is paying for the rebate or not, there is profit being made by OfficeMax or Best Buy. These companies sell crappy prepackaged component machines (like Packard Bell) through unskilled, uninformed salespeople. These are the companies responsible for selling the public on the idea of proprietary software. These companies reduce profits for hardware manufacturers and encourage marketing hype over quality product. It's more important to be moral than get free money. Don't give your money to people like this. Please.