Napster to come bundled in Dell laptops

10:14 | Friday October 2, 2009

The package is worth $60 (£38) and includes 60 free downloads. The qualifying devices will be sold initially in the US through Best Buy, the parent company of Napster, but will be available through Dell’s website from next month.

Dell has done pre-loaded deals with labels, but this is the first time it has signed a broad consumer offering with a music service.

Both companies have, however, worked together in the past, offering discounted music subscriptions to US college students back in 2005 as a way to promote legal services.

This Dell/Napster deal comes after HP began offering consumers in Asia (excluding Japan) who buy HP notebook PCs access to 1,000 free Universal Music downloads that will be valid for a year. The customers will be able to keep 120 of the tracks permanently after the year is up.

In related news, Napster is expected to overhaul its music service in the UK next week.