Apple offers free installation for Tiger

USA today is reporting that Apple is testing the waters with an offer that "may be a first in computer retailing: free installation or a one-on-one training session with a Macintosh specialist showing personalized tips and tricks."

This is the first I'm hearing about this. Has it been mentioned before? The offer is supposed to be available as of 6pm today until end of June and is valid for Apple retail store Tiger purchases between today and May 31.

"Many people get nervous about upgrading their operating systems and worry about potential conflicts," says Apple Senior Vice President Ron Johnson. "The Mac faithful will install the software at home that night," he says. "We know that. We're just offering another option."

For some users this may be a fine and welcome idea, but I suspect it may create more problems than it solves. Is Apple going to give you a full backup of your computer before they do the install? Will they verify that all the applications you need are compatible with Tiger before they forge ahead? If you discover the next day that Tiger has broken something you need to use, are they going to restore you to your previous Panther environment? And all that for free?

According to the article, all customers need to do to take advantage of this offer is sign up for appointments at their local Genius Bar.

If anyone reading takes Apple up on this offer, please let us know how it goes. If this is a hit, it could be the start of a new trend in consumer software sales.