[Wyatt]

http://www.apple.com/backtoschool/index.html

The yearly back-to-school promo is back, and it's bringing an 8 GB iPod nano or 8 GB iPod touch with it. Interestingly, though, no other models are eligible. So no free iPod classics. You can get a larger-capacity iPod touch, though.

[Robo]

It's interesting that you can get a more expensive iPod touch for free, but not an iPod classic. I don't think Cram and Jam has ever given away a $300 iPod before!

Maybe the iPod touch will be updated alongside the iPhone, and this is their way of clearing stock?

In any case, with a better-than-normal iPod promo *and* the Adobe CS3 promo, this is a great time to buy a Mac. It's almost enough to get me to reconsider buying a PC. Almost.

*prays for sub-$1,000 MacBook mini that is somehow still eligible for all these deals at WWDC*

[joveblue]

AppleInsider was speculating that they want a solid base of OS X Mobile users out there in time for the launch of the App Store - sounds about right to me! You can downgrade to a Nano, if you wish. But I think you'd probably be better of getting the touch, selling it on eBay, and buying a new Nano.

I like one of their taglines... "Get the most for your parents money"

[Yontsey]

As an upcoming buyer, I'm curious as to how this works.

Do you get a credit when you buy the computer towards the iPod or do you have to pay for it then receive a rebate or do you just get it at point of purchase?

[Robo]

Originally Posted by Yontsey As an upcoming buyer, I'm curious as to how this works. Do you get a credit when you buy the computer towards the iPod or do you have to pay for it then receive a rebate or do you just get it at point of purchase?

It's a mail-in rebate.

[Yontsey]

Originally Posted by Roboman It's a mail-in rebate.

Are they prompt with the refund or is it like a cell phone deal where it takes 2-3 months to get the rebate?

[torifile]

Originally Posted by Yontsey Are they prompt with the refund or is it like a cell phone deal where it takes 2-3 months to get the rebate?

Apple's rebates have always been very fast for me. My last one - the printer rebate - I got in less than 2 weeks.

[Fahrenheit]

This better be in the UK soon as well! Cos I want an iMac and if I could get the educational discount and sell a new iPod as well, its a good discount.

[Yontsey]

I wish they just made it an overall Apple giftcard or something to iTunes. I already have 3 iPods, 2 of which are 6 months old or less.

[Fahrenheit]

Originally Posted by Yontsey I wish they just made it an overall Apple giftcard or something to iTunes. I already have 3 iPods, 2 of which are 6 months old or less.

I presume the point is that they expect to make a good percentage of the rebate back through new iTS customers.

[BlueRabbit]

Yontsey: Just get the iPod+rebate and sell it on Craigslist or eBay. It's better than a gift card, since you get cash.

[Yontsey]

Yeah, that's true. I was just looking for an easy way out.

[Capella]

Or you could get the iPod, wait for the rebate, and sell it here.

[kieran]

iPods don't seem to sell too well here.

It seems almost everyone one of us has one (or three)

[Swox]

Originally Posted by Yontsey Are they prompt with the refund or is it like a cell phone deal where it takes 2-3 months to get the rebate?

I'm still fighting to get mine from last year. They've outsourced it to some useless company here in Canada, and they keep screwing up. Grrr

[adamb]

It took a good 5-6 months for my rebate 3 years ago. Not sure if things have improved since then.

[Brave Ulysses]

Originally Posted by Roboman It's interesting that you can get a more expensive iPod touch for free, but not an iPod classic. I don't think Cram and Jam has ever given away a $300 iPod before! Maybe the iPod touch will be updated alongside the iPhone, and this is their way of clearing stock? In any case, with a better-than-normal iPod promo *and* the Adobe CS3 promo, this is a great time to buy a Mac. It's almost enough to get me to reconsider buying a PC. Almost. *prays for sub-$1,000 MacBook mini that is somehow still eligible for all these deals at WWDC*

It's a marketing gimmick by Apple... pretty much just for the next week really.

The iPod touch is going to drop in price to $199 next week I would imagine with all these rumors of the 3G iPhone seeing a major price reduction.

[Boomerangmacuser]

I can't believe they've included School trustees and PTA executive members. Any mom or pop who's involved in their kids school PTA at the elected level (In Canada we call it Parend Advisory Council or PAC) is also eligible. Finally, a perk for all the meetings I have to chair.

They REALLY want to get that OS in as many people's hands.

[BlueRabbit]

Originally Posted by Brave Ulysses The iPod touch is going to drop in price to $199 next week I would imagine with all these rumors of the 3G iPhone seeing a major price reduction.

I don't see them going through all the effort to post the promo now, just to turn around and change it right away. A more likely scenario, IMO, is that the 8 GB iPod touch gets dropped, and the other two drop in price by $100. That way the price difference between the iPod touch and iPhone is still preserved, and Apple doesn't have to change the promo at all. This would work out well for me, since the 32 GB iPod touch would only be $100 after rebate.

[Fahrenheit]

I don't like that the UK B2S starts mid-September, last year it did and thats much to late in my opinion. I want to get me some iMac 24 now!

[joveblue]

Speaking of which, does anyone know when the Aussie one starts? I'm currently hoping to buy a new Mac before I go away at the end of December/start of January (if it eventuates). Any chance I'll be picking up a free iPod?