Apple's Back-to-School promo offers free 8GB iPod touch

[AppleInsider]

Apple on Wednesday officially kicked off its 2009 back-to-school promotion, which offers a free 8GB iPod touch to students and educational staffers who purchase a qualifying Mac.

What does the promo offer?

More specifically, the promotion offers a $229 online rebate that cancels out the price of an 8GB iPod touch. Customers who instead prefer an 8GB iPod nano, 16GB iPod nano, 120GB iPod classic, or 4GB iPod shuffle can elect to receive lesser rebates that will similarly compensate for the costs of those models.



Which Macs qualify?

Apple lists qualifying Mac systems as the MacBook, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac and Mac Pro. The Mac mini and refurbished Macs do not qualify, nor do refurbished iPods.

Who is eligible?

Any employee of a public or private K-12 institution in the United States is eligible for the offer, as are school board members who are currently serving as elected or appointed members and PTA or PTO executives currently serving as elected or appointed officers.

Faculty and staff of Higher Education institutions; and students attending, or accepted into a Higher Education institution are similarly eligable.

Apple also announced this year that parents purchasing on behalf of their child, who is a student currently attending or accepted into a public or private Higher Education Institution in the United States, can partake in the offer.

When, where, and how do I participate?

In order to qualify for the offer, the iPod and Mac system must be purchased at the same time and appear on the same before September 8. The products must be purchased from the Apple Online Store for Education Individuals, an Apple Retail Store, Apple Telesales, or an Apple Authorized Campus Store located in the 50 United States or the District of Columbia.

"After you receive your Mac and iPod, submit your claim online by October 8, 2009," Apple says. "Once your claim has been submitted, check your rebate status at any time."



This year's promo, which was first reported by AppleInsider in its report on more affordable Macs, is similar to last year's promo but offers a $229 rebate for an iPod touch as opposed to a $299 rebate. Last year the 8GB iPod touch cost $299.

Full terms of the deal have now been posted online [PDF].

[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]

[Eduardo]

Seems like the rumour that this year's "Back to School"-promotion would include an iPhone as a free item turn out to be false. Good promotion nonetheless-I remember the 4GB first generation nano that I received when I bought my first generation Macbook under the "Back to School"-promotion.

[Nanotech]

"Apple lists qualifying Mac systems as the MacBook, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac and iMac. "

Hm, I think you said "iMac" twice there.

[ivan.rnn01]

[Bageljoey]

Originally Posted by Nanotech

"Apple lists qualifying Mac systems as the MacBook, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac and iMac. "

Hm, I think you said "iMac" twice there.

I read that and though "that's more Mac lines than I thought..." without even noticing the duplication. That's what I get for trying to read before 9:00 am!

[Lorre]

Originally Posted by ivan.rnn01

Nice they updated the RAM to 800MHz

I guess this means alu MB updates must be around the corner. Kinda silly how much advantages the white MacBook has over the entry level alu one.

[SicaHiWapin]

What do you think, will Apple offer this back to school promo in the U.k as well?
thanks

[Kasper]

Guys,

Apple just posted the terms of the deal (they werent available before). The Mac Pro does qualify as do several other iPod models.

K

[chillwill]

I wanted to purchase a white macbook for my sons girlfriend who is entering college this fall. If I am reading it correctly, it doesn't look like I can take advantage of this offer. What do you guys think?

[ivan.rnn01]

Originally Posted by chillwill

I wanted to purchase a white macbook for my sons girlfriend who is entering college this fall. If I am reading it correctly, it doesn't look like I can take advantage of this offer. What do you guys think?

I might have missed something about it, but white MacBook seems to qualify, too...

PRODUCT ELIGIBILITY: Only the following Apple Computers qualify for this promotion: iMac, MacBook, MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, and Mac Pro (“Apple Computers”). Configure-to-order
versions of these Apple Computers qualify for this offer. Refurbished Apple Computers do not qualify. Mac mini does not qualify. All iPod models in the table below qualify for this promotion.
Refurbished iPod models do not qualify. The eligible Apple Computers and iPod models listed herein are collectively referred to as “Qualifying Products.”

[chillwill]

I apologize for not being clear. My concern was whether or not I would qualify for this discount since I am not her parent.

[BuzDots]

Originally Posted by chillwill

I apologize for not being clear. My concern was whether or not I would qualify for this discount since I am not her parent.

Should be no problem... as long as you know which school she is going to, just follow the prompts and be ready to pay at the end. I am pretty sure Apple doesn't care if you are her parent or not. I have done this numerous times for my kids and they never asked for a DNA sample. LOL

[paxman]

Originally Posted by chillwill

I apologize for not being clear. My concern was whether or not I would qualify for this discount since I am not her parent.

You are a very nice parent of the boyfriend! You must REALLY hope your boy marries this girl? You should get a special discount just for being a nice guy imo.
(But who gets the iPod?)

[wally626]

Looks like a really good rebate this year. When my son got his two years ago the rebate only covered a 4 GB nano.

I think as long as you use the education store you are good to go. If you wanted to be completely legal, give her the money and she can purchase it herself.

[BuzDots]

Originally Posted by paxman

(But who gets the iPod?)

Wedding bribe... I mean gift!

[chillwill]

Originally Posted by paxman

You are a very nice parent of the boyfriend! You must REALLY hope your boy marries this girl? You should get a special discount just for being a nice guy imo.
(But who gets the iPod?)

I get the iPod! HA!

Seriously, though, she deserves it regardless if they stay together or not. She has been a great influence on my boy

[MacTel]

So long 8Gb iPod Touch. Come the end of this promo your days will end.

[floccus]

The promo is only for a free iPod Touch, with the rebate set at $229. In all likelihood the Touch will be updated along with the iPhone halfway through the promo period to get OS version 3.0 out there. This means you could end up getting a nice 16GB Touch if you can wait a month or so. I'm still waiting till after WWDC to move no matter what, simply because its only another two weeks away.

[Flounder]

Originally Posted by floccus

The promo is only for a free iPod Touch, with the rebate set at $229. In all likelihood the Touch will be updated along with the iPhone halfway through the promo period to get OS version 3.0 out there. This means you could end up getting a nice 16GB Touch if you can wait a month or so. I'm still waiting till after WWDC to move no matter what, simply because its only another two weeks away.

I have to say, that's very unlikely in my estimation. 3.0 will come out and it'll be $10 or whatever it is they charge for current touch users to upgrade.

Apple pretty much without fail does an iPod upgrade shortly AFTER the back to school promo ends and in time for the holiday buying season (late September or October). The promo clears out stock of the previous generation. Once or twice they upgraded iPods while there were still a couple weeks left in the promo, but I distinctly recall new models not being a part of the promo.

The chances of your prediction being accurate are slim to none.

[Beauty of Bath]

In the UK:

The Apple Corporate Gifting and Rewards Program lets you create the ideal promotion or employee incentive with iPod touch. You'll save big when you order in volume.* And don't forget, iPod nano, iTunes Gift Cards and the amazing new iPod shuffle also make great gift or prize ideas.

[JasonX]

So high school and elementary school students and their parents can't take advantage of this? Has it always been that way, or is that a change?

[floccus]

Originally Posted by Flounder

I have to say, that's very unlikely in my estimation. 3.0 will come out and it'll be $10 or whatever it is they charge for current touch users to upgrade.

Apple pretty much without fail does an iPod upgrade shortly AFTER the back to school promo ends and in time for the holiday buying season (late September or October). The promo clears out stock of the previous generation. Once or twice they upgraded iPods while there were still a couple weeks left in the promo, but I distinctly recall new models not being a part of the promo.

The chances of your prediction being accurate are slim to none.

All new Touch units, however, will almost certainly be pre-loaded with 3.0, so thats at least one reason to wait if you'd rather not pay the $10 later to upgade. And while it may not be what Apple has done in the past in regards to the Back-to-School promo, given the current economy and that actual Mac sales are lagging, it would be in their interest to sweeten the deal and try to drive sales of higher margin Macs by upgrading the Touch. Thirdly, the Touch, like the iPhone, are primarily drivers for app sales, so again, an upgraded model could make sense. Fourth, Apple still has billions in the bank, they can afford to be more aggressive this year than previous.

Does any of that mean it will happen, no, but its not as slim of a possibility as you make it appear. As I said, give it two weeks and we'll probably know for sure.

[Bruce Young]

Originally Posted by Flounder

...Apple pretty much without fail does an iPod upgrade shortly AFTER the back to school promo ends and in time for the holiday buying season (late September or October). The promo clears out stock of the previous generation. Once or twice they upgraded iPods while there were still a couple weeks left in the promo, but I distinctly recall new models not being a part of the promo.

The chances of your prediction being accurate are slim to none.

I agree with Flounder. I have been watching the Apple Back-to-School promos for years -- and buying Macs from time to time for my kids. Apple almost always upgrade the promo device right at the end of the promo period. The new models are sometimes released a day or several after the end of the promo period. Not sure if waiting till the last week of the promo on the hopes of Apple including an upgraded model will materialize, but based on history, no -- it will be the currently specified model(s).

And you are allowed to select an iPod Classic, Nano or Shuffle in lieu of the Touch model (assuming you already have too many Touches )

[Bruce Young]

Originally Posted by JasonX

So high school and elementary school students and their parents can't take advantage of this? Has it always been that way, or is that a change?

According to the posting , http://www.apple.com/promo/faq.html, it is higher education students/parents and any edu faculty.

Since I have only bought some Macs through Back-to-school promo for when my kids were starting or into college, I don't remember if they ever included K-12 students.

[Bruce Young]

Now the Mac I wish would be included in the group is the Mac mini -- as that looks to be the next most likely family purchase here...
I guess they think the price of the mini is too low and the value of the Touch too high comparatively?

But given the meagerness of the last Mac mini update (after 1.7 yr) and fact that price remained the same, I would say that it should be included as a qualifying Mac model.
One can wish.........

[cmolson6]

This is indeed a good deal.. Problem for me is that I just bought a new macbook pro for school on May 13th... anyway I can still get a free ipod touch?

I guess I should have waited a bit longer lol....


Thanks!

[Rokken]

Apple today (or yesterday) launched Back-to-School promo in Europe as well, about five months earlier than it used to be. The funny thing is, while you actually get an 8GB iPod Touch for free in US after rebate, one still has to pay €30 for it after rebate, and they still claim get an iPod Touch for free.

[Londor]

Originally Posted by Rokken

The funny thing is, while you actually get an 8GB iPod Touch for free in US after rebate, one still has to pay €30 for it after rebate, and they still claim get an iPod Touch for free.

It is exactly the same in US and EU. The difference is that the US Apple Store has the pricing without taxes and in EU the pricing is with taxes. In US you have to pay the taxes on the iPod Touch and in EU they give you up to €185 and if you add 16% VAT it becomes the €215 that costs a new iPod Touch.

[zeromeus]

I calculated the cost of getting a MacBook and an iPod Touch 32GB from Apple's website with the promotion versus getting it elsewhere without the promotion and I see that the cost will be roughly the same... I save maybe a few bucks using the promotion.

So this is my plan... I'm going to wait until Apple Refresh their MacBook AND iPod Touches, then I'll get it. I believe I'll get Snow Leopard, a refreshed MacBook, and an iPod Touch 64GB for roughly the same price as the currently running promotion for the highest Touch capacity.

You might ask, "How does buying it without the promotion cost you the same as with the promotion?" The answer is simple: I won't need to pay taxes if I don't buy from within the state where I live.