The Apple 2009 Back to School promotion: 'Buy a Mac for college and get a free iPod touch' - save up to $719 on your purchase [updated]

May
27

By: switchtoamac at: 1:49 PM on May 27, 2009 | Comments (0)

Apple has announced the 2009 Back-To-School promotion. Qualified students, faculty, and staff can get a free iPod when they purchase a new MacBook, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, or Mac Pro. A total savings of $719 can be achieved by combining a qualifying Mac, iPod, printer, and software.

The following iPod models qualify for the rebate:
iPod touch

8GB: Free after rebate
16GB: Just $70 after rebate
32GB: Just $170 after rebate

Pod shuffle: 4GB

Free after rebate

iPod nano: 8GB or 16GB

Free after rebate

iPod classic: 120GB

Just $20 after rebate

Promotion Details
The promotion runs from May 27 through September 8. This year's promotion starts and ends one week earlier than the 2008 promotion and also offers a large enough rebate to cover the cost of an 8GB iPod touch.

The 2009 offer is is one of the most aggressive back to school promotions to date as it offers substantial savings to buyers as it combines a rebate in addition to the Mac education discount.

Save up to $719 (USD)
The free iPod itself offers buyers up to $229 rebate towards the purchase of an iPod touch thus making the 8GB version free. When combined with the Mac education discount, buyers can save up to $529 (USD) on the combined purchase of a qualifying Mac and iPod. The following lists the MAX education discount on pre-configured Mac models eligible in the promotion: (note total savings are in parenthesis):

MacBook: $100 ($329)
MacBook Pro: $200 ($429)
MacBook Air: $200 ($429)
iMac: $100 ($329)
Mac Pro: $200 or $300 depending on model ($429 or $529)

Education buyers can still take advantage of the $100 printer rebate as well as save on each of the following software titles at the time of purchase:

iWork - save $30
MobileMe - save $30
Microsoft Office 2008 for Mac - save $15

Apple has posted the Terms and Conditions of the offer in the following PDF.

Steps to get your iPod

Shop for a Mac.
Buy a qualifying iPod.
Submit your rebate.

After you receive your Mac and iPod, complete your rebate form online by October 8, 2009. More info at the Apple Store here.

White MacBook update
In related news, Apple today also updated the white MacBook.

Update
Although it is not clearly detailed on the Apple Store, the Mac Pro does qualify for the Back To School promotion. This article has been updated to reflect these savings.