Apple back to School Promo: Get free Beats headphones when buying a Mac
NEW YORK—Apple is giving away a pair of Beats headphones as part of a back-to-school promotion tied to sales of new Macintosh computers. The catch: you must be a qualified educational buyer.
That means teachers or administrators and other employees at a public or private K-12 school, or employees, students or parents of a student at a higher-education institution.
Those who are eligible must purchase a new iMac, Macbook, Macbook Pro, Macbook Air or Mac Pro model. Mac mini computers or Macs that have been refurbished do not qualify.
Eligible buyers will receive Beats Solo2 On Ear Headphones. While not the top-of-the-line Beats models, the Solo2 is still valued at $199.95. If you prefer the $299.95 Solo2 Wireless On-Ear Headphones you can get them for $100 under the promotion.
Such buyers still get their regular educational discounts off the price of the Macs.
In past back-to-school promotions, Apple has given away gift cards of up to $100. By giving away Beats headphones instead, Apple is not-so-subtly drawing attention to its recently launched Apple Music streaming service, which largely leverages the previously launched Beat Music subscription service. It also gives a lift to the Beats by Dr. Dre brand among younger fans of music who otherwise have chosen from many rival headphone brands. Apple may also be trying to move inventory on headphones that have been out for awhile.
Apple paid $3 billion last year for Beats Music and Beats Electronics, which produces the headphones.
For now, the promotion is only open to Mac buyers, and not folks interested in purchasing iPads, iPhones, iPods or the Apple Watch. It will be interesting to see if Apple widens the promotion to include other products over the coming days. The Mac promo starts today in Apple Stores, and on August 6 for online purchases, and runs through Sept. 18.
