“Like some other companies ‘giving away’ personal computers,
FreeMac.com will require consumers to sign up in advance for three
years of Internet service, through Internet service provider
Earthlink Network.”
“Without a lot of details as to how it will finance such a
venture — but with a couple of big-name partners — a new company
called FreeMac.com said it plans to give away a million Apple
iMacs. Like some other companies ‘giving away’ personal computers,
FreeMac.com will require consumers to sign up in advance for three
years of Internet service, through Internet service provider
Earthlink Network.”
“To participate, consumers must first qualify for a First USA
Visa credit card and agree to use the credit card to pay the
standard US$19.95 a month Internet service charge. Three years of
service will cost $718.20.
‘It sounds like all the other free PC things except it’s a
Mac,’ said Lou Mazzucchelli, an analyst at Gerard Klauer
Mattison & Co. ‘I don’t know who is going to make any money on
it. I’d love to see the business model on this.’ “