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We might hear something today in the afternoon (PDT time) if Apple tells their employees to change store front design and to prepare them for the promotion, but ultimately we would know tomorrow. I really can't wait another week (or forever, if Apple in all their greatness decided to scrap the programme), so if BTS does not start tomorrow, I'll probably just end up buying a Mac anyway.
 
Still nothing at 1PM PT (the time we were notified last year). Very unusual as Apple has given some notice in previous years (by changing Apple Store front displays etc.)

We can only hope it launches tomorrow then without notice.
 
This just has to happen when I want a Macbook Pro. The last few years I wouldn't of cared less when they started!
BTS should be happening NOW.
 
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I hear you. That is exactly how I feel. Two years ago I bought a Mac mini during July and it didn't qualify because it wasn't a portable computer. Now, I am waiting to buy a MBP and nothing is happening.
 
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Is it possible they cancelled BTS for this year? I don't know, just seems strange that we haven't heard anything and the Apple employees don't know what's going on. (I went in to ask them about it twice this week and nobody has a clue)
 
As I mentioned previously, Apple employees would know only a day before not to leak anything. Apple had a BTS promo this year for Australia/New Zealand in January, so we can assume they would have it this year, but now we can only hope.
I'm waiting until Friday this week, then I'm buying a Mac, if they introduce BTS soon I would just return and buy a new one, with the gift card.
 
A mate of mine in HK said BTS offer didn't run until 16th July last year for them, so perhaps they are doing it a bit later this summer. who knows...
 
The NZ/Australia promo came online late January, 1/29 I think, so maybe it'll be late July for us. I'm fine if it doesn't come until later. Gonna wait for Massachusetts' tax-free holiday on 8/15 to pull the trigger.
 
This delay is what made me decide to drop an SSD in my 2008 Macbook. Last year for Black Friday or Cyber Monday or something didn't they have discounted gift cards? If I can make this computer hold out until then and pick up a stack, that will be better than a $100 BTS kickback. Also, that tip on the tax-free holiday is a good one. If I can wait a full year and get those discounted gift cards in November, plan for tax-free day 2016 *during next year's BTS sale*, I'll have more than paid off the SSD.
 
[UPDATE]
As Apple might be updating iPod range on 14th July, this seems like a next possible date of BTS start. I wouldn't hope for free iPods (although those from the old range?), and it should not start much later than that, as some colleges in the USA start in August, and USA is a main target of BTS promo.
 
Just so everyone knows, Best Buy is discounting a lot of their Macbook regardless of whether you're a student or not. You also get an additional $100.00 off for signing up for their College Student program with an .edu e-mail.
 
Thanks for posting that, I ran the #s and the Best Buy discount (pre-$100 off) is marginally more expensive like $25 more for the closest 13 in. rMBP I'm looking at. The 2.7GHz 8GB RAM 256GB memory base model. The Apple school promotion should also be an equivalent $100, except it's not here yet and may not even come this year.

If anyone is in a rush and doesn't mind getting the base model, they should definitely go with Best Buy since it'd still be only $25 difference, and that's if the Apple back-to-school sale ever happens. It might not.

Because I'm looking to upgrade the specs and waiting to the August sales tax holiday, I don't mind waiting for the Apple BTS to come out. If the BTS doesn't come out before then, I'll probably settle on the Best Buy on-sale base model + student program in August.

Best Buy sale = Apple educational discount
Best Buy student program now = Apple BTS promotion still yet to come
 
I just jumped and skipped the promotion this time. Picked up a 15" rMBP with the dedicated graphics. Love this machine.

Ended up picking up the 12" rMB myself, was hoping for the promo to start but it is looking rather unlikely at this point. Hoping that it if starts within the next couple weeks they'll still honor the promo.
 
Ended up picking up the 12" rMB myself, was hoping for the promo to start but it is looking rather unlikely at this point. Hoping that it if starts within the next couple weeks they'll still honor the promo.


I was wondering the same thing. I really needed the machine, as I start my next class at the end of the month.
 
Thanks for posting that, I ran the #s and the Best Buy discount (pre-$100 off) is marginally more expensive like $25 more for the closest 13 in. rMBP I'm looking at. The 2.7GHz 8GB RAM 256GB memory base model. The Apple school promotion should also be an equivalent $100, except it's not here yet and may not even come this year.

If anyone is in a rush and doesn't mind getting the base model, they should definitely go with Best Buy since it'd still be only $25 difference, and that's if the Apple back-to-school sale ever happens. It might not.

Because I'm looking to upgrade the specs and waiting to the August sales tax holiday, I don't mind waiting for the Apple BTS to come out. If the BTS doesn't come out before then, I'll probably settle on the Best Buy on-sale base model + student program in August.

Best Buy sale = Apple educational discount
Best Buy student program now = Apple BTS promotion still yet to come
Add in the rewards and the costs are the same, still can buy applecare @ applestore with edu discount
 
Add in the rewards and the costs are the same, still can buy applecare @ applestore with edu discount


Just frustrating for those who are buying BTO MBP, so we must get it from Apple. I know it's only $100 in the grand scheme of things, but since I was planning on getting an iPhone 6s in the fall, $100 would be great towards that or even AppleCare for the laptop. Just getting really tired of waiting, thought I would have this thing ordered by July 1. No clue what to do now, since absolutely no sign of it yet?
 
Other rumor sites are openly speculating that Apple has mothballed BTS promos this year because no one has heard even whispers of a sale. Too bad--my daughter starts classes at her college in a couple of weeks, so I'm going to have to buy now so she has a chance to make sure everything is working before she moves out. Two years ago for my oldest daughter the sale started the first of July--and years before that it started in June.
 
It's really frustrating to say the least if one is waiting for BTS. They've done it every year since it started so what has changed? Is someone else in charge of bringing these deals to happen?! Perhaps its something to do with new IPOD we're hearing about... ____ sake
 
Been waiting for weeks.. Pretty unusual of Apple. They do this promotion every year and plus they support Education a lot. I wonder what's the hold up?
 
They have for the last few years. I talked to a apple store employee and he said that Apple doesn't alway announce promotions on Tuesdays. They have also announced on Wed. or Thurs. He also said if there is a major program change like the BTS promotions they are usually announced before the East coast stores open because it wouldn't be fair to change in the middle of the sales day. I wish they would either start it or at least announce that they aren't going to do it. I have also been waiting a few weeks and want to get my computer set up to teach by Aug. 3rd.
 
Apple Store (Online) is being updated now, I am really hopeful they will introduce new iPods and, alongside them, BTS.
It started 2 weeks later than last year in Australia in January, so hopes are high
 
The store is back up--and no education sale. I guess it's time to just buy something and hope Apple will honor any education discounts if they start to offer something after school starts. I know school start-dates are all over the place--but there are a lot that start in August (at least in the Southwest where I live).
 
Picking mine up from Best Buy, $1709 (sale Price) - $100 (edu discount) - 5% (used Best Buy Credit Card) - $34 in best buy point (towards future purchase)
Babies home -- don't forget to get a thunderbolt to ethernet adapter, So far am very pleased, 2011 was getting very slow
 
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I wish we had Best Buy in the UK.

Being stuck with Apple Store, I really could use a gift card. The only hope is that they didn't scrap the program completely, as some websites suggest
 
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