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Apple details Mac OS X Snow Leopard Up-to-Date Program

As promised, Apple on Tuesday updated its website with information on how customers purchasing a new Mac or Xserve before the release of Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard in September can request a copy of the new operating system for just $10 in shipping and handling.

The Mac maker has broken the Up-to-Date Program into two sections: "Hardware Up-To-Date" for customers purchasing a new Mac running Mac OS X client software and "Mac OS X Snow Leopard Server Up-To-Date" for those buying an Xserve running Mac OS X Server.

Hardware Up-To-Date

Customers who purchase a qualifying new Mac computer (list of models) or a qualifying Apple Certified Refurbished computer (list of models) on or after June 8, 2009 that does not include Mac OS X Snow Leopard can upgrade to Snow Leopard for $9.95 plus tax.

To participate, your completed order form must be postmarked or faxed within 90 days of the date of your purchase of the qualifying Mac or by December 26, 2009, whichever is earlier.

If you purchased your Mac directly from the Apple Online Store, follow one of these links to participate in the program:

If you purchased multiple qualifying Macs on a single invoice, you can either (1) purchase a Single-User Upgrade Kit for each qualifying product, at a cost of $9.95; or (2) purchase fewer Single-User Upgrade Kits and request the Right to Copy for the remaining qualifying products.

If you purchased your computer from an Apple Retail Store or an Apple authorized reseller, follow one of these links to participate in the program:

Those customers who instead prefer to mail or fax their order can instead download and print this order form [PDF].

Mac OS X Snow Leopard Server Up-To-Date

Customers who purchase a qualifying Xserve [ MA882LL/A, MB449LL/A. Z0E7, Z0FR, Z0GM ] or an Apple Certified Refurbished Xserve (list of models) on or after June 8, 2009 that does not include Mac OS X Server v10.6 Snow Leopard Unlimited Client software can also upgrade to Mac OS X Server v10.6 Snow Leopard Unlimited Client for $9.95 plus tax.

Again, completed order forms must be postmarked or faxed within 90 days of the date of your purchase of a qualifying Xserve or by December 26, 2009, whichever is earlier.

If you purchased your Xserve directly from the Apple Online Store, follow one of these links to participate in the program:

If you purchased your Xserve from an Apple Retail Store or an Apple authorized reseller, follow one of these links to participate in the program:

Those customers who instead prefer to mail or fax their order can instead download and print this order form [PDF].

Delivery

Once Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard becomes available in September, Apple says it will ship out upgrade discs "within 24 hours" of receiving a customer's completed order form and the required payment.

Upgrade discs will ship out via U.S. mail (U.S. postal delivery typically takes 3 to 7 working days). Canadian orders may require additional delivery time due to customs processing.