Apple launches annual Back to School program

Apple has launched its annual Back to School program for the US, enticing buyers with a free 8GB iPod touch after a $199 online rebate (you can also apply the same rebate to larger-capacity iPods).

To qualify, you must purchase your new Mac and iPod touch at the same time either through the online Apple Education Store, an Apple Retail Store or authorized campus store. Within 90 days from the purchase, submit the $199 rebate form to get back the cost of the iPod touch. To find out if you're eligible as a buyer, check out Apple's requirements. In short -- if you're a student at a higher education institution, a faculty member at any school (K-12 and university) or a parent buying a machine for your college-bound grad, you're good to go.