Apple has launched its annual Back to School promotion and this year, it’s a little bit different. Instead of a free iPod with the purchase of a Mac, Apple is giving students a $100 dollar credit that can be used in the Mac App Store, iTunes Store, and iBookstore.
“When you buy a new qualifying Mac with Apple education pricing* from June 16, 2011, through September 20, 2011, you’ll get a $100 Back to School Card to use on the Mac App Store, the App Store, the iTunes Store, and the iBookstore,” Apple said in an emailed announcement.
“I do think it’s a less attractive offer, but they’ve reduced the cost to themselves by pushing people to the Mac App Store. A lot of the software people will buy [with the gift card] will be Apple-branded, and we know that software has a lovely gross margin,” said an Apple analyst.
Check out the promotion here.
For many years, Apple has been heavily promoting their back-to-school campaign with free iPods for students purchasing Macs. Back in May, Microsoft launched its Back to School campaign offering a free Xbox 360 for students purchasing Windows 7 PCs.
Which would you rather prefer? Post your feedback in the comments below!
Further reading: Apple, Apple Store
