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Apple's free 8GB iPod touch Back-to-School Promo now official

Apple on Tuesday officially kicked off its largest back-to-school promo in the company's history, offering a free 8GB iPod touch to students and educational staffers who purchase a qualifying Mac.

More specifically, the promotion offers a $299 rebate that cancels out the price of an 8GB iPod touch, though the rebate can also be applied towards the purchase of the 16GB ($399) or 32GB ($499) model. Alternatively, participants can elect to receive a free 8GB iPod nano for the reduced rebate value of $199.

In order to qualify for the offer, the iPod and Mac system must be purchased at the same time and appear on the same receipt. Apple lists qualifying Mac systems as the MacBook, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, and Mac Pro. The Mac mini, previous-generation 17” iMac, Apple TV, iPhone, iPod shuffle, iPod classic, 4GB iPod nano, and refurbished products are not eligible.

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.

Faculty and staff of higher education institutions and students attending or accepted into a higher education institution are eligible. Any employee of a public or private K–12 institution or Qualified Homeschoolers in the United States or District of Columbia are also eligible.

Additionally, school board members who are currently serving as elected or appointed members are eligible, as are PTA or PTO executives currently serving as elected or appointed officers.

A full rundown of the Terms and Conditions [pdf] are available on Apple's website. The promotion, which was first revealed by AppleInsider last week, will run June 3 - September 15, or "while supplies last."



54 Comments

mstone 19 Years · 11503 comments

Quote:
Originally Posted by AppleInsider

Alternatively, participants can elect to receive a free 8GB iPod nano for the reduced rebate value of $199.

This $199 part doesn't make a lot of sense to me. Personally I think the parents of college bound students would simply prefer a discount on the purchase of a MacBook instead of a free Touch since the majority of students already have some sort of iPod.

flounder 23 Years · 2625 comments

Quote:
Originally Posted by mstone

This $199 part doesn't make a lot of sense to me. Personally I think the parents of college bound students would simply prefer a discount on the purchase of a MacBook instead of a free Touch since the majority of students already have some sort of iPod.


It's been a highly successful promo many years running, so I think it makes sense. Why would apple give another $200 or $300 off a macbook? That would seriously screw with their margins. Giving away a nano isn't actually costing Apple $200, and the iPod Touch probably isn't costing them $200 either.

That's even before you consider that not everyone sends in their rebate form.

And that's before you consider that it helps extend the iPod's market and mindshare, and (in the case of the touch) extend the reach of their new mobile OS. When I bought my MBP last summer, I gave the nano to my mom. She quite enjoys it.

You're asking Apple to make a very poor financial and business decision.

ktappe 17 Years · 825 comments

Including school board members is wise, as they're the decision makers who might be able to bring Macs back into the schools (or keep them there). Apple should do much more targeted discounting of their products to board members, along with "trial deployments" of labs full of Macs. Get that foot in the door.

maximilian88 17 Years · 3 comments

Only the US? WHAT? Im so dissapointed.

What are the chances of this offer being extended to the UK?

cool whip 17 Years · 1 comment

Quote:
Originally Posted by mstone

This $199 part doesn't make a lot of sense to me. Personally I think the parents of college bound students would simply prefer a discount on the purchase of a MacBook instead of a free Touch since the majority of students already have some sort of iPod.

Here's why: Four years ago when I took my oldest daughter to college, I called ahead to see if Macs would work on their network. The college IT department didn't know, because it hadn't been tried. Two years ago, daughter #2 went to the same college and I was seeing a fair number of MacBooks, and Macs in the labs. This year, my son is going to the same college, and he says that ALL of his friends (many from die-hard Windows families) are buying MacBooks.

They're not flocking to Mac because of processor speed or price. Dangle a free iPod in front of a high school student, and they'll follow you anywhere (didn't mean that in a creepy sense).