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With most major consumer product releases -- think Mac OS and iLife -- Apple has an Up-To-Date program so folks who recently purchased a Mac can get the latest software without having to spend the full price.
In the past, Up-To-Date programs have generally cost $9.95 for an installation DVD. However, with the advent of the Mac App Store, that fee seems to be going away. Buried in the bottom of the OS X Lion press release yesterday was this note about Up-To-Date:
The Mac OS X Lion Up-To-Date upgrade is available at no additional charge via the Mac App Store to all customers who purchased a qualifying new Mac system from Apple or an Apple Authorized Reseller on or after June 6, 2011. Users must request their Up-To-Date upgrade within 30 days of purchase of their Mac computer. Customers who purchase a qualifying Mac between June 6, 2011 and the date when Lion is available in the Mac App Store will have 30 days from Lion’s official release date to make a request.
There you go. Anyone buying a Mac from yesterday through the launch of Lion, gets it free.
Top Rated Comments
lol its $29 to upgrade.. if you purchased a $1500+ iMac I'm sure $29 wont break the bank.
Incorrect. Apple tracks the purchase date. It doesn't have anything to do with registration. Whenever a authorized reseller sells an apple product, they report the purchase to apple, that way apple can properly track it for warranty purposes.
If you purchase it from a somebody that is not an authorized reseller, the purchase date is actually when that entity bought it from apple. This happens with a lot of school purchased computers (including bookstore purchases)
Again, the point here is not ability to afford Lion. I could afford Lion even if it's priced $129. Of course anyone out there who has spend thousands $$$ for Mac would be able to spend "just" another $29.99 for OS upgrade.
But it's not about the price, it's about reward and generosity of Apple. Including Lion upgrade as free update for people who purchased Macs close to the launch date is sweet.
Say the iMac actually manufactured on May 1st 2011, but sold and registered to customer on June 10th, which make the purchase eligible for free Lion. That customer still won't eligible for Up-To-Date program? You sure?
I know. It's only $30 like everybody said. I also thankful the upgrade cost that cheap. But given a free $30 bonus with your $2000 purchase is always sweet. It's not about "$30 won't break your bank if you able to purchase $2000 Mac".. it's about being generous. I can afford Lion even if it's tagged $129 !! But that's not the point
Yes. See also:
http://www.apple.com/macosx/uptodate/
:)