How late to wait on itouch update (college deal)?

[BMWViking13]

I'm going to be a freshman in college this fall and want to take advantage of the back to school deal (13" MBP), and I want to use the iPod rebate for a touch, but I've seen enough evidence and credible rumors to show that there is an update coming shortly (September?).

How long should I wait to buy? Does anyone know of when they should announce the new lineup? Would it be before Sept. 8th, the end of the college deal?

If not, what is the best way to conserve as much money as possible to use towards one of the new touches when it comes out? (I was thinking get the 8GB touch free after rebate, then sell it on a site like buymytronics.com and use the money towards the newer touch).

 

[thegoldenmackid]

They won't announce any update to it, September is iPod Touch month, long after the Back to School Promotion Ends.

But, maybe you can find an iTouch for free?

 

[Ivan P]

I'm going to be a freshman in college this fall and want to take advantage of the back to school deal (13" MBP), and I want to use the iPod rebate for a touch, but I've seen enough evidence and credible rumors to show that there is an update coming shortly (September?).

How long should I wait to buy? Does anyone know of when they should announce the new lineup? Would it be before Sept. 8th, the end of the college deal?

If not, what is the best way to conserve as much money as possible to use towards one of the new touches when it comes out? (I was thinking get the 8GB touch free after rebate, then sell it on a site like buymytronics.com and use the money towards the newer touch).

Generally the new iPods are released at the conclusion of the Back to School offer; even if they're released just before the end of the deal, usually it still only extends to the 'old' iPods, not the brand-new ones.

In saying that, the iPod update usually occurs sometime within the first 2 weeks of September, it's been that way for several years.

 

[Gregintosh]

Good question. Ideally, you are safe until the very last day (though I'd go a couple days to a week early just to make sure they have what you want in stock).

Also ideally, you'd hold off until you absolutely need the computer because maybe they will release the better iPod touch with a camera that's been rumored before the deal expires (so you aren't stuck with last gen hardware) or they might even release new macbooks (I got a personal hunch that the Macbook line won't consist of a single configuration for long).

If you are planning on selling the iPod then the sooner the better because as rumors of a new one become more mainstream (as in people who aren't on this website also become aware of them) then you wont be able to get as much resale value (and god forbid the new one is out before you unload yours, you're totally screwed).

 

[AdamLikesMusic]

Yeah, extremely doubtful they'll release a new iPod Touch during the sale, and if they do, I wouldn't expect it to be included in the BTS deal.

I'd get the 8gb iPod Touch, and sell it on eBay. They're consistently going for $170-200. I myself sold mine in person for an amount within that margin. Then you have money to put toward the next-gen iPod Touch when it comes out.

 

[SnowLeopard2008]

I purchased my new MBP + iPod touch using the same educational promotion. Apple will NOT let you get away getting the new model for free. They always will cut off the program and then introduce new models. Simple marketing technique.

 

[scienide09]

I agree with those who have stated that even if new Touches come out before the end of the deal, they will not be available under the the BTS promotion.

 

[ucfgrad93]

Last year when they did the BTS program, they updated the nano lineup and specifically said on their website that the new ipods were not included in the promotion.

 

[pelicanflip]

The iPod Touch promotion is just to get rid of inventory in time for the new iPod Touch to come out in September, which is after the promotion.

Just get the free iPod Touch, and sell it to add to your funds for the new version.

 

[BMWViking13]

Thanks, everyone. Just ordered the Mac today and I'm going to go with the idea of selling the 8GB itouch (probably via craigslist).