Most
computer retailers in the US are now publishing their prices $400 lower than the actual
price, with
fine print explaining that you have to sign up for an
ISP's services for three years.
MSN is the usual beneficiary of this deal (although Compuserve is making the same offer), and they charge $21.95 per month. (Most US ISPs offer the same service for $15-20 per month.)
It might look good until you do the math. $21.95/mo for 36 months comes out to the princely sum of $790.20, plus tax, not including the interest you could have earned if you had socked away $21.95 per month.
It hurts to pay "full price" for your new computer, but it hurts even more to take the discount. Don't believe the hype.