<p>So I want to buy a macbook pro, but I'm not quite sure when the best time to do so is. In the last few years I heard that apple actually gives some pretty good deals for students, and I was wondering if those are going to come around this year too, and if so, when is the best time to get a macbook pro?</p>
<p>It may be better to buy a MacBook Pro online from the Apple Education Store. If you can show that you are a student, you can get a discount (ranging from $50 to $150, depending on computer) that I don’t believe you can get from a physical Apple Store. </p>
<p>In terms of timing, you should wait until Summer, when Apple traditionally makes Back to School offers that typically include a free printer and iPod when you buy a computer. Also, Apple will be coming out with its latest version of OSX, 10.7, code-named Lion, some time during the Summer. I don’t know when exactly this will occur, but it might pay to wait to get the latest operating system.</p>
<p>According to the “Apple Insider” Web site:</p>
<p>Apple as early as next week will once again announce its annual back-to-school promotion that has historically offered a free or discounted iOS device to customers purchasing of a new Mac, an event that may prove to be one of the main topics of discussion at the much-hyped employee meetings set to be held at the company’s retail stores this Sunday.</p>
<p>People familiar with the Apple’s retail operations have told AppleInsider that the company is currently gearing up for its yearly educational promotion. The news comes as numerous reports have revealed that Apple has scheduled early 7 a.m. store meetings with employees this coming Sunday, May 22.</p>
<p>Yeah go ahead and wait on lion as long as you can. Its looking like a pretty nice OS and apple usually doesn’t skimp on the features. If it doesn’t pop up on all macs by beginning of september (the end of the student promotion if I remember correctly), then go ahead and just buy a MBP. I held out and got Snow Leopard on my 2009 macbook, though the cost of the OS upgrade would’ve only been $29. That was SL. Lion seems to be a total OS upgrade and not just a rewrite of the latest version of OSX. The extra work apple did usually coincides with the regular OS upgrade cost of >$100. It could be quite the savings if you can get by without your MBP for a while so its probably best to wait.</p>
<p>In related news, its being speculated that Apple will release 10.7 Lion through their Mac App Store as a digital download only. The exit of physical media is rapidly approaching so this move could be something big for the computing world. I’ve got a feeling its going to be a buggy process (download only usually means issues), but Apple does an ok job at this stuff so it might be the new standard. Who knows.</p>
<p>I just purchased my new MacBook Pro 13" i5 for $999, so the prices are not bad at all if you were to purchase right now.</p>
<p>If you wait, you’ll probably get the free ipod touch.</p>
<p>The price doesn’t decrease. Apple just throws in a free ipod touch and printer (which you can sell later).</p>
<p>Check out the educational store. Up to $100 off on 13’’ and $200 off on 15’’ MBP.
Check out the refurbished store. Huge discounts on last years’ models.</p>
<p>Does anyone know if they offer the educational discounts to incoming freshmen?</p>
<p>^They do. The verification process to get into the educational store is extremely simple. Just pick your school off the map and you’ll be able to take advantage of some pretty nice savings.</p>
<p>@ Critic yeah, I saw the same deal the $999 with micro center, and I was wondering if I should buy that now or wait for the ipod/printer complex (if there is one!) I guess I’ll take the wait and see what the apple store churns out with this year, but umm I’m not sure what the better deal is haha.</p>
<p>When you buy the macbook pro do you pay the price of the printer and ipod and get the mail in rebate or is it for no cost at all because i’m still trying to decide whether or not I buy it now or wait until the summer</p>
<p>Sent from my VM670 using CC App</p>
<p>^^^Can’t speak for the iPod, but you pay for the printer, upfront, and then submit online for a rebate. Very simple process.</p>
<p>Critic…where did you get the MacBook pro for $999? Even on their educational site, I don’t see it for less than $1099.</p>
<p>Do they only offer one promotion at a time–either the educational discount of $100-$200 OR they free printer/I-Pod, or will the freebies be on top of the discount?</p>
<p>The educational discount is available to any student year-round. They sweeten the pot during the Summer with an additional back-to-school deal for free peripherals. As noted above it is usually a rebate deal, where you get something like $100 off any printer purchase and $150 off an iPod purchase. So, you could get a free (i.e. Fully-rebated) printer and iPod, or discounts of those amounts off more expensive products. My daughter opted for a higher-capacity iPod and paid the difference.</p>
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<p>[Micro</a> Center - Apple MacBook Pro MC700LL/A Laptop Computer - Silver MC700LL/A](<a href=“Help Center | Micro Center”>http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0358117)</p>
<p>Add it to your cart and you will see the $999.99 price. This deal is only valid if you live close to a micro center. Also, you do not have to purchase the computer at micro center; for instance, I had Fry’s Electronics match their price. However, micro center must be a local competitor. </p>
<p>If the Micro Center deal does not apply to you, then you can always buy it from Amazon. Amazon does not charge tax for most states and their current price is $1139, which is cheaper than the Apple Education Store Price + tax.</p>
<p>Yes they will. I think you can also get a free iPod.</p>
<p>I heard that the free iPod touch deal was no longer valid. Can someone please tell me this isn’t true.</p>
<p>^ it is true: [Apple</a> Back to School - Education Store - Apple Store (U.S.)](<a href=“http://store.apple.com/us/browse/campaigns/back_to_school]Apple”>http://store.apple.com/us/browse/campaigns/back_to_school)</p>
<p>^It’s true for now, but they may come out again with the deal, who knows later in the summer I hope.</p>
<p>Yeah I think that just meant last year’s promotion was ending. According to MacRumors (which could be wrong of course) it’ll come out Wednesday… </p>
<p>[Apple’s</a> Back to School Promo Starting Next Week - MacRumors Forums](<a href=“Apple's Back to School Promo Starting Next Week | MacRumors Forums”>Apple's Back to School Promo Starting Next Week | MacRumors Forums)</p>