Apple Launches 2017 Back to School Promotion: Free Beats With Select Mac or iPad Pro Models

[Cloudkicker]

Dedicated Apple users [I can't use the 'F' label here] bemoan competition phones "flooding the market" w/ buy 1 get 1 free offers (even though carriers do this for iPhone occasionally). Apple throws in free Beats. Later, when Apple releases Beats "sales" numbers, it looks like they're ultra-popular. Seems like a nice finessing.

 

[EugW]

$170 for "OK" sound just sounds horrible to me.

I have platronics backbeat go 2 wireless headphones. They were $50 and sound "OK". I almost never use them because they're almost never charged. Everyone once in a while I throw them on the charger, use them until they die and forget about charging them again. They also came with a charging case.

The ones I have in my ears a few hours a day are Bose SoundSports. They're wired, but they're light, comfortable, and sound magnificent. And they never need charging. They were less than half the price of the "OK" Airpods.

That's just an absurd price to pay for wireless in terms of dollars and sound quality especially when it brings all the inconvenience of another device to keep charged.

Don't knock it until you try it. The AirPods are very, very convenient.

But if you want real sound quality and are OK with wired, get the Etymotic ER4 series. Totally different league. I have these, and they have absolutely great sound. Two DECADE old design, but still way better than the vast majority of the in-ear headphones out there. However, I still use the AirPods more, because they are more convenient.

 

[dhartung02]

Anyone tried to price match to Best Buy? I purchased a 12.9 IPP on Friday and i am debating on what to do.

 

[iMi]

Does anyone know if Apple will offer the deal retroactively to those who purchased a qualifying Mac through education store and is still within the return window?

 

[EugW]

Does anyone know if Apple will offer the deal retroactively to those who purchased a qualifying Mac through education store and is still within the return window?

Yes. As mentioned earlier in the thread, the cutoff is about 2 weeks. Beyond that YMMV.

 

[drober30]

My AirPods are amazing! Sound just fine to me but the convenience and simplicity of the AirPods Rock!

If I decide to buy, I will sell the Solo 3 for $150 and that will be a nice discount for waiting.

 

[asoksevil]

The problem with both Beats and the Airpods is that the sound quality is crap.

Better pay more for something that sounds decent.

While I do acknowledge that previous iterations of beats under the Monster brand were a disaster, the Solo 2 and 3 are actually pretty good for their value and this stigma needs to go. It has been praised by many audiophiles (Tyl Hertsens) and the silk 3 with 40 hours usage, super fast charging of 3 hours in 5 minutes and W1 chip will make it a super convenient for Apple users.

I don't particularly like Beats but I'm not into the free bashing and trash talking when the facts have obvously reversed course.

 

[Abazigal]

Wonder if this is a plan to seed the ground with wireless headphones in line with Apple's move to kill the headphone jack? Airpods are still backordered, so this could be another way to get more W1 headphones out there.

 

[asoksevil]

Sorry if this is a stupid and greedy question - but from a pure resale value perspective, which Beats MODEL and COLOR would you choose? I have no use for them but will definitely try to make some money back by selling them.

I'm thinking the Beats Solo Wireless3 On-Ear Headphones, just from a pure starting price standpoint. Apple lists $329.95 (but sells for $299.95). Most online retailers like Best Buy and even Amazon sell them new for $219.

In terms of color, obviously black may be the most "applicable" to the largest potential group of buyers. However, in looking at Amazon's stock and prices, they seem to uncharge for the Gold, Rose Gold, and Violet editions (up to $299). I feel very strange ordering this color based solely on this, especially when I would most likely be selling on Craigslist or eBay.

But what do you guys think? I'm a Bose guy for headphones so just no experience with Beats.

Amazon could have a supply problem with these colors (gold, rose gold) because they actually ordered less compared to the others. I would go with a limited color or a neutral:unisex? like black or white.

 

[OneMike]

What a worthless promotion! Like many of the other comments, I would prefer a straight up discount or at least a gift card for the Apple Store. There are so many reasons this is a bad promo:
1. Already own Beats
2. Already own another headset/airpods
3. Don't use headsets
4. The hassle of reselling them
5. Devalues the Beats brand

This is a good promo. For starters you're saying that this is bad pretty much based on the fact that YOU don't need this item...

I already own beats studio wired, AirPods (sold original then missed them immediately), another wireless NC headset, etc...

I'm still happy to be receiving the solo wireless 3 for free. Apple could've just offered nothing like the rest of the year non back to school.

 

[dragoon2745]

I bought a new MacBook Pro BTO online this morning. Although I have to wait a week or two for the laptop to be delivered, I was able to pickup the Beats Solo 3 in an Apple retail store tonight. I already gave them to my older sister who needed a new pair of headphones. She's very happy with them and I got to be a good younger brother. Free Beats headphones? Yep, I'm good with that.

 

[Abazigal]

So if I get a MacBook Air, I get a more expensive pair of headphones than if I bought an iPad Pro which costs more?

Though I get that the iPad Pro is probably more desirable than the MacBook Air, being newer and all.

 

[HopefulHumanist]

Anyone else find it unfair/ridiculous that a MacBook Air (849) allows you to get a pair of Solo3’s ($299) but iPad Pro 12.9 ($899) only gets you BeatsX ($149)?

 

[yarn90]

I recently purchased a MacBook Pro on July 8, 2017. Am I still eligible to receive the promotional savings on the beats?

 

[wesk702]

Does anyone know if Apple will offer the deal retroactively to those who purchased a qualifying Mac through education store and is still within the return window?

I was 2 days outside of my return window. Spoke with AppleCare and since I bought it at the store they said I need to speak with the manager. They also mentioned that if you bought online, they usually extend the grace period for free headphones for up to 30 days. Once I got to the Apple Store, the manager said it's no problem and just asked which ones I wanted to buy.
Since I forgot to use my edu discount last time they knocked off some cash off my original purchase and upgraded me to the Powerbeats3 for $30. Not a bad deal at all. Worth checking into.

 

[Uncle P]

I recently purchased a MacBook Pro on July 8, 2017. Am I still eligible to receive the promotional savings on the beats?

Yes, you are well within your window...

 

[DevNull0]

Anyone else find it unfair/ridiculous that a MacBook Air (849) allows you to get a pair of Solo3’s ($299) but iPad Pro 12.9 ($899) only gets you BeatsX ($149)?

I find it ridiculous that people will pay $900 for an iPad plus more for a stylus and keyboard when a much more capable Mac can be had for $850. I guess Apple figures if the customer is already that much of a sucker, there's no sense wasting a pair of Solo3's on them.

 

[kjparfekt]

In the camp of planning to buy a computer before this announcement and also in the camp of already have AirPods/ don't want Beats.

However, I don't mind selling the headphones on eBay. Basically, still a little extra money off to sweeten the education pricing but also still a hell of a lot for a laptop.

My last laptop was a Sony Vaio purchased over 6 years ago so feeling pretty good about this purchase.

 

[HopefulHumanist]

I find it ridiculous that people will pay $900 for an iPad plus more for a stylus and keyboard when a much more capable Mac can be had for $850. I guess Apple figures if the customer is already that much of a sucker, there's no sense wasting a pair of Solo3's on them.

You couldn’t pay me to buy a non-retina device. MBA is DOA for me.

For a lot of people, an iPad is a superior device because you can use it with or without the keyboard. Also, a lot of people prefer iOS to macOS. Don’t be so quick to assume that everyone values the same things as you.

 

[MTD's Mac]

I ordered a new MacBook this morning and was able to pick up the Solo3 Beats today at my local Apple.

Amazon is offering a $95 credit for them (closer to $50 for the other Beats that are part of the promotion) so it will be almost equivalent to the $100 gift card I was hoping for. Or, an extra 6% discount on my new computer if it's better to think of it that way.

 

[kjparfekt]

I ordered a new MacBook this morning and was able to pick up the Solo3 Beats today at my local Apple.

Amazon is offering a $95 credit for them (closer to $50 for the other Beats that are part of the promotion) so it will be almost equivalent to the $100 gift card I was hoping for. Or, an extra 6% discount on my new computer if it's better to think of it that way.

You'd do better selling them on eBay at a buy it now price of $199 you'd still net about $140 roughly after fees and shipping. But it sounds like the trade in option is easier and if the gift card is as good as cash for you then sounds like this is a good option.

 

[1k9]

If I purchase a MacBook Pro and get the headset and end up not liking the MacBook and return it will I have to pay for the headset? Or will the let me return those also?

 

[recoil80]

Anyone else find it unfair/ridiculous that a MacBook Air (849) allows you to get a pair of Solo3’s ($299) but iPad Pro 12.9 ($899) only gets you BeatsX ($149)?

Even the Mac Mini is in the list, is not clear to me whether you get the Solo3 with it (they almost cost the same) or another model.

 

[kugino]

Depends on the person you get in chat or at the store to help you. Sometimes they will, sometimes not. If it was in the 14 day return period I’d say 100% yes

i'll give 'em a call in the morning and check. i have a 10.5" that i bought a few weeks ago and the return deadline is on friday the 14th. i'd love it if they would throw in the beats solo so i wouldn't have to to return this one, order another 10.5" + beats...we'll see. will update tomorrow...

 

[NovemberWhiskey]

Anyone know how long this promo will go on for?