Heckuva Promotion For You Students, Staff and Faculty

[Jeff Campbell]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-10250085-37.html?part=rss&tag=feed&subj=News-Apple' target='_blank'>http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-1...subj=News-Apple</a><br /><br /></div><p><em>"In addition to quietly updating the consumer-friendly MacBook, Apple on Wednesday also launched an iPod promotion targeted to students."</em></p><p><em><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/at/auto/1243486595.usr105634.jpg" style="border: 1px solid #d2d2bb;" /></em></p><p><em>Image Credit: Apple</em></p><p>And not just for students, as the deal is open to students, staff and faculty for any K-12 school or higher educational institution. Purchase a MacBook, MacBook Pro, MacBook Air or an iMac and you get a free iPod Touch. Keep in mind you have to buy the iPod Touch at the same time as the qualifying Mac to get the rebate.</p><p>Yea, its a rebate promotion, which I absolutely hate. I wish they would just take it off the total price when you check out since I can never remember to finish up the rebate process until the deadline has passed. But if you can remember to fill in the form (online form, much better so at least they are making it somewhat easier) within the time limit you get a pretty good deal. The promotion ends on September 8th, and the rebate forms have to be submitted online by October 9th. Full <a href="http://store.apple.com/us/browse/campaigns/back_to_school?cid=WWW-NAUS-BTS20090507-00032" target="_blank">promotion details</a> are available at Apple.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

[doogald]

Keep in mind you have to buy the iPod Touch at the same time as the qualifying Mac to get the rebate.

True, however I will point out that last year I told my niece about this just after she had received a new MacBook about two days before the promo went into effect. She went back to the Apple Store and they did a return a resale transaction, adding the Touch, so that she could have the rebate. I have heard of Apple doing this before (i.e., when there are price reductions within 14 days of a sale.)

My daughter starts college in the fall, and we'll be buying her a set pretty soon.

[ptyork]

Last year's was all about clearing inventory for the new version. Even though the promotion lasted well beyond the release of the Touch v2, the rebate didn't apply. I'm sure the same is true this year, which of course bodes well for a new Touch in a couple of weeks.

Also keep in mind that you get this on top of your educational discount, so it is definitely a good deal. Since Apple doesn't much put anything on sale, a $250-$300 effective discount is about the best you can hope for.