2009 Back to School deal

(Updated with new Apple document) Flouting earlier rumors, Apple has gone in a different direction with the terms of its 2009 Back to School promotion. At the center of the new offer is a rebate for an 8GB iPod touch, which is available with the purchase of an iMac, Mac Pro, MacBook, MacBook Pro or MacBook Air. Aside from college and university students, eligible parties include the staff of any public or private school, some homeschooling teachers, school board members, and the officers of PTA and PTO groups.

New this year is the eligibility of parents buying on behalf of children. The Touch rebate is now worth only $229 however, instead of the $299 made available in 2008. The rebate does continue to cover the cost of a Touch in full. Nowhere to be found is the rumored iPhone deal, which would have covered the cost of the hardware but not the accompanying carrier contract.

Beyond the free Touch, buyers receive up to $100 off an iMac or basic MacBook, or as much as $200 off a MacBook Pro or Air. The computer and iPod must be purchased at the same time, and before September 8th. Rebates must be claimed through an online submission form before October 8th.

Update: Newly-posted terms show that shoppers can opt for any iPod. Rebates vary according to the price of the player; while $229 can be expected for a Touch or a Classic, only $149 and $199 rebates are available for 8 and 16GB Nanos, respectively. Choosing a 4GB Shuffle returns only $79.

by MacNN Staff