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malone · 01:06 PM

I'm sure most of you hardcore Apple nerds already know about the Apple Developer Connection Hardware Discount, but for those of you who don't, I thought I'd share the lowdown:
- If you're a student, you can purchase ADC membership for $100.
- Student ADC membership gives you a once in a membership lifetime hardware discount--usually about 20% off.
- Prices for 2.2 GHz MBP: $2000 regular, $1800 w/ edu discount, $1600 w/ ADC discount (or, $1700 if you factor in membership cost)
- Prices for 2.4 GHz MBP: $2500 regular, $2300 w/ edu discount, $2000 w/ ADC discount (or, $2100 if you factor in membership cost)
- Membership has its perks too, like the monthly OS mailouts. ADC sends you the latest patched OS in a monthly mailout, so you'll get Leopard too when it comes out. For free. Which, at a $130 value, makes a $100 ADC membership even more tasty.
- Students don't get to be part of the seeding program though. Bummer.
- Orders must be made through the ADC online store (link at end), and can't be done over the phone (even through ADC directly) or at a brick-and-mortar store.

Compared to the Back-to-School promotion Apple is currently having ($200 rebate on iPod), this would be getting the 20% discount instead of the iPod, which might be nice for those students who don't need a new iPod (or perhaps want to wait out for the iPhone-without-the-phone-iPod).

On the other hand, if you're from Connecticut or Rhode Island, you may want to just stick with the Back-to-School promotion, since you get a $200 instant rebate on your Mac (instead of a $200 mail-in rebate for a simultaneous iPod purchase), which is pretty sweet.

Links:
ADC Hardware Purchase Store: ADC Hardware Purchase Program
ADC: Apple Developer Connection

Rumor · Jul 27, 2007, 12:48 PM

You also have to go through the verification process which includes faxing a copy of your driver's license or id and a copy of your latest grades. It's pretty painless, you get to talk to someone over the phone if you like and the approval time is fairly quick. In about three weeks you get a box in the mail with a copy of OSX, a DVD with the latest developer resources and a I(apple logo)code t-shirt.

MrForgetable · Jul 27, 2007, 01:16 PM

I'm saving this for when I get my top-of-line Mac Pro

mfbernstein · Jul 28, 2007, 07:41 AM

Or you can just keep an eye out on the refurbished models Apple has, which are usually the same price as the dev. discount, but without the need for any special paperwork or the $100 ADC Student membership.

JoshuaZ · Jul 30, 2007, 08:40 AM

Does this work if you're a teacher? I'm a teacher in Japan, and going to be buying a Macbook Pro in a week or two. It would be nice to get that discount.

malone · Jul 30, 2007, 10:05 AM

Originally Posted by JoshuaZ

Does this work if you're a teacher? I'm a teacher in Japan, and going to be buying a Macbook Pro in a week or two. It would be nice to get that discount.

Unfortunately not. It only works if you're a student. Their definition of student, however, is fairly flexible. Proof of current enrollment in a single course is sufficient to be a student.

There are other ADC membership packages which also offer hardware discounts, but they are $500 or $3500--not worth it if your primary reason for the membership is the discount.

Rumor · Jul 30, 2007, 05:36 PM

Originally Posted by mfbernstein

Or you can just keep an eye out on the refurbished models Apple has, which are usually the same price as the dev. discount, but without the need for any special paperwork or the $100 ADC Student membership.

Ahh, but for that $100 you get a copy of Tiger now, and Leopard when it is released.

jamiemcf · Jul 30, 2007, 07:24 PM

I'm a Student in Scotland, but when I went to the UK Apple site and clicked Developer it took me to the US site? Does that mean I can sign up or is it US only?

malone · Jul 30, 2007, 09:58 PM

Originally Posted by jamiemcf

I'm a Student in Scotland, but when I went to the UK Apple site and clicked Developer it took me to the US site? Does that mean I can sign up or is it US only?

The Apple Developer isn't region localized (though it's available in different languages), so there isn't a UK-specific Apple Developer site.

You can still purchase the Student Membership w/ the ADC hardware discount in the UK. Just go to Apple Developer Connection - Products and click 'add to cart' for the Student Membership. It will ask you what country you are purchasing from. UK is an available choice, and the ADC Student Membership in the UK costs £53.72 (plus VAT).

HOWEVER, ADC hardware discounts are processed differently outside North America. There is no online ADC store for Europe. Their page reads as follows(ADC Hardware Purchase Program - Europe):

Go to the appropriate online store and configure your system of choice. Then save or print your configuration and call the appropriate sales team below.

NOTE: To receive your discount, orders must be placed through a sales agent, not directly through an online store. When preconfiguring, your selections will show retail price. Discounts are calculated by the sales agent and sent in your confirmation email.

I have no idea what the value of the ADC discount is in the UK, or whether it's better or worse than their standard education discount.

Does anyone have any experience with ADC outside of North America?

jamiemcf · Jul 31, 2007, 01:34 PM

I'd be buying any hardware in the US anyway, with the dollar/pound rate at what it is just now Macs are MUCH cheaper in the US.

Lowest spec MBP is $1999(£1000 roughly) in the US or £1299($2500+) in the UK.

Kenneth · Jul 31, 2007, 01:47 PM

I signed up ADC Student back when I was in college (over 5 yrs ago). It's pretty simple and I even received an free e-ticket for WWDC '99, but I missed it. Later, I took advantage of the hardware program and bought a TiBook/400 (yay.. a TiBook), but I had to wait for a month due to a shortage.

jamiemcf · Jul 31, 2007, 05:28 PM

Surely you have to be a developer though?

malone · Jul 31, 2007, 06:02 PM

Originally Posted by jamiemcf

Surely you have to be a developer though?

It's meant for developers, sure, but students from programs other than the typical CS/Engineering can develop too, and I think Apple understands that. Graphic design students might develop web sites/apps, biology/chemistry/physics students might develop Matlab scripts for analysis, etc., etc. And then there's the whole population of other students who just happen to develop on the side, or take a programming course here or there as an elective.

jamiemcf · Aug 1, 2007, 10:00 AM

Ok, just so long as I don't sign up and then in 6 months Apple bitches me out for not having developed anything.