Apple's Back to School Promo Launching Wednesday With $100 iTunes Gift Cards?

[chairguru22]

What I'd like to know is how many of you would actually have a need for a near end of generation video game system...

Many of you already have one or a PS3 or Wii or don't play video games at all.

The 360 while valued at 200 also needs 60 games and online subscription services. I would venture that the kids buying these have a console already.

Much like iPods where so many people already have them. The iTunes card would actually be helpful...

 

[robertpetry]

I agree a 3 or 4 year old video game system that requires $30-60 games is not a great value to many, many people.

However I really would have preferred an "Apple" gift card that I could use to buy an iPod if I need one. My 8 year old was in line to get an 8GB Touch and now isn't. At least the $100 gift card would have helped a lot if I could have used it at the Apple store and not just in the app stores.

This will significantly reduce the summer iPod sales so for all you stock watchers, during the fall report there will be a decent drop. Apple counted all iPod's as sold and the rebate against the marketing budget so expect a drop in iPod sales from last year for sure. Yes, most iPod sales have been down year over year for a while but the Touch has been holding steady. Not now.

Strategically, this will increase sales in the App Stores so Apple can get on the earnings call and say "look how great the Mac App Store is doing..."

Plus, since they only send 70% to developers, 30% of this is not real $$, just potential revenue lost. Much of which would not have been spent anyway.

 

[bigdz68]

Ok....so I was waiting until after summer school to buy one of these...but I notoriously always have bought a Mac before they do some major upgrade. Im looking at the buyers guide on here...and it says buy only if needed...well I don't need this right away....so thoughts??? The last new Mac I bought was a G5 and am getting antsy but wondering if anyone is waiting....not too concerned about the gift card. Im also planning on the highest end 17" if that matters. I am on the fence.

 

[smartalic34]

Ok....so I was waiting until after summer school to buy one of these...but I notoriously always have bought a Mac before they do some major upgrade. Im looking at the buyers guide on here...and it says buy only if needed...well I don't need this right away....so thoughts??? The last new Mac I bought was a G5 and am getting antsy but wondering if anyone is waiting....not too concerned about the gift card. Im also planning on the highest end 17" if that matters. I am on the fence.

I would bet (and others can feel free to disagree) that the MacBook Pros won't be updated until early 2012. Q1 of 2012 is when Intel will release the Ivy Bridge platform, the successor to the current Sandy Bridge that's in the MBPs now. Apple would have no reason to release new models any earlier, as there aren't really any processor upgrades available until then. If you need in the next month or two, I would buy now.