There is now a free and simple way to get an @msn.com email address instead of the regular @hotmail.com email address. Previously the only way to get one was to be an MSN subscriber.
To get an @msn.com email address just use this link:
https://accountservices.passport.net/reg.srf?ns=msn.com&sl=1&lc=1033
Then just register as normal.
It's also a Live account (for Xbox, etc).
I use it for MSN only, easy to remember the address.