Apple Update return policy?

Well all signs point to apple updating the macbooks by the end of september or later, but my brother wants to get a macbook now so he can start college with it and get that free ipod touch. Does anyone know the return policy if apple releases a new product right after you buy an older model? Any documentation would be great.

 

It really has nothing to do with whether Apple releases a new product or updates an existing line, it boils down to whether or not you're within the return period that Apple allows. If you're outside of that time period, no return for you.

 

Return and Refund Policy

If you are not satisfied with your Apple purchase of a product, please call 1-800-676-2775 for a Return Material Authorization (RMA) request within 14 calendar days of the receipt of the product. Configure-to-order, personalized or other customized products may not be returned for refund or exchange under any circumstances unless such product is Dead on Arrival (see the section below for more detailed information on such Dead on Arrival products). If the item is returnable and you send it back to us unopened in the original box, Apple will offer you a refund based on your original method of payment. You must return the product to the Apple warehouse within 14 calendar days of the issuance of the RMA. All products must be packed in the original, unmarked packaging including any accessories, manuals, documentation and registration that shipped with the product. Apple will assess a 10% restocking fee on any opened hardware or accessory. If you purchased your order using an Apple Business Lease, Apple may ask you to provide a major credit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover) so Apple can assess the 10% restocking fee.

Please note that Apple does not permit the return of or offer refunds for the following products:

* Product that is custom configured to your specifications, including personalized products

* Opened memory, including storage devices such as memory sticks (but excluding disc drives)

* Opened software (Note that you may return software after rejecting the licensing terms, provided the software is not installed on a computer. However, if your software includes a license that you can read before you break the seal or sticker on the software media packaging, you may not return the software once you break the software media packaging seal or sticker.)

* Electronic software downloads

* Software Up to Date Program Products (i.e., software upgrade subscription product)

* Apple Gift Cards

* Apple Gift Packaging (origami style gift box with ribbon and greeting card)

* Apple Developer Connection Products (Membership and Technical Support)

 

I not 100% about this but I don't think that the free iPod Touch is for keeps if you return the computer. Apple may deduct the value from the return.

 

The iPod Touch offer is a mail-in-rebate. By the time you get your rebate back, your return policy will have been long overdue.

 

no it isn't, it is an online rebate for both the printer and iPods, much more simplified than before.

I wouldn't recommend waiting if you want to pick up the iPod for free, the printer rebate is usually year round.

your best bet would be to pick up the computer now, and if you really want to update when the new model is released, look into selling the current MB to pickup the next model.

 

If apple releases the products before August you're fine for exchanging and keeping the touch, afterwards, you'd have to pay for the touch or sell and buy

 

Not for canadians mailin only which stinks....

 

I wouldn't want to return the laptop, but I would want the upgraded one (and pay the difference in price if there is one). I know apple did something like this for the iphone (ie if you bought an old iphone within a certain period before the new one came out, you'd get the old replaced with the new for free). Does apple not do this with their computers? Thanks for all your replies

 

In terms of a return or an exchange it's the same thing. Rather or not it's opened you still have the same return/exchange policy which would be 14 days. You would have to know exactly when Apple is releasing the new Macbooks and that's hard to tell at this point.
What they do is if you bought your lappy say 10 days before the new model comes out Apple will either credit you back the difference in price from the older one (yours) to the new model or exchange it. If you elect to exchange they will still deduct the restocking fee from the difference in price of the new model if you've opened it.
The only reason there's a difference in price is due to the fact that once the new model is released the older model gets priced as a refurb.