The Real Evil Luigi posted...The point of the deal is for someone who can't afford to spend $200 plus a game they want on top of xbox live. This gives them an option as if paying their cellphone.
Layaway, or save up the money, or find a system on sale.
And you only need gold to play online or use certain apps, and you get a free month of gold with a new account.
Until you save up enough for more gold you can still download tons of demos free, or get free months of gold from bing, or just choose not to use gold at all.
This "deal" is only for gullible suckers with more money than brains, or for rabid fanboys dumb enough to support M$ no matter how greedy they're being.