Apple's Sweet Deal: Discounted Macs, Free iPods

For many college students, a portable music player is just as much a necessity as a notebook computer. Maybe that’s a slight exaggeration, but music is important at college. Whether it’s for entertainment purposes or to drown out other distractions in an attempt to finish a last minute paper, music is incredibly useful in an educational environment. Apple's summer deal is designed to capitalize on what college kids (think they) need to succeed.

"Buy a Mac for college and get a free iPod" is a promotion focused on getting students excited about a new computer before the long haul to a dorm. It’s an incentive for old Apple customers and appealing enough to grab a few new fans as well. The deal will go through September 15 at the Apple Store online as well as Apple retail stores, and authorized campus stores.

The deal is sweet, but it's not simple; buyers must follow Apple's directions to the core (pun intended) to reap the reward.

First, you must be eligible, under Apple's "terms and conditions." College students, employees of universities as well as of any private or public school with classes from kindergarten to twelfth grade are also eligible. Even certain PTA executives and school board members are eligible. Check the site; freshmen are not the only ones who can take advantage of the offer.

Second, be sure to purchase the Apple computer and iPod together; they must be on the same sales receipt or invoice.

Third, the free iPod is a rebate. That means the iPod is only free if you are willing to work for it. Depending on the method by which you make your purchase (in store, online, over the phone, or on campus) that will determine how you will have to claim your rebate (online or through the mail).

Only two iPod models apply to the offer, the iPod nano and the iPod touch. The iPod nano comes in one size (8-GB) and six different colors (pink, silver, blue, red, green, and black). It has video capability and five to 24 hours of battery life (depending on whether you’re listening to music or watching movies). The iPod touch comes in three different models (8-GB, 16-GB, and 32-GB). It can play music, movies, and can access the internet from Wi-Fi hot spots. The battery life is about five hours to 22 hours (again, depending on whether you’re listening to music or watching movies).

It's important to pay attention to the "Terms and Conditions", especially the details about the rebate because that's the only way the deal, as it is advertised, comes through. As a rebate, it is also possible to adjust the deal to your liking. If you want a totally free iPod, the rebate will provide you with either a free 8-GB iPod nano or a free 8-GB iPod touch. However, the rebate also works as a discount where the iPods (though still only the nano and touch models) with larger storage capacity are concerned. If you want a 16-GB iPod touch, you can still have the rebate of $299 that would have given the 8-GB its “free” status and, in this case, would cut the cost of the 16 GB to only $100.

Note that Mac computers are also discounted as part of the deal. The MacBook is discounted by $100, the iMac by $140, the MacBook Pro by $200, and the MacBook Air by $230.

If it's not your year for an upgrade, don't worry. The Mac iPod deal has become all but an annual affair over at Apple. Last year at the same time, the old version of the iPod nano was offered with a Mac purchase as well. Odds are next June will present a deal similar to this year’s. Just be sure that, whether you buy this year or next, you have a free weekend before September to sink some time into reading the deal’s fine print.

Jessie Atkin, writer for Digital Landing

Computers | Apple

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