Apple dropped 30-day trial offer for its Mac mini
Apple Computer has dropped its free test-drive offer for the Mac mini less than 12 hours after it first posted the deal late Tuesday. Apple UK refused to comment on the promotion.
The “Mac Mini Test Drive” has offered 30 day money back guarantee trial basis, and was launched on Wednesday on the outfit’s online store. If customers weren’t satisfied with the machine, they could return it, no strings attached.
Apple’s ad copy read : “We’re so confident you’ll love your new Mac mini, we’ll let you test drive it for 30 days with no risk. If you decide you don’t want it, we’ll take it back.”
Apple is not happy with the pace of Mac mini sales, according to technology analyst Roger Kay so it decide to launch the promos.
Although the deal was to run through Oct. 31, Apple yanked it Wednesday with no explanation given on the e-store site. In its place, Apple has inserted a 120-day no-interest offer for its higher-end iMac line.
Apple introduced the mini in January 2005. The product, which does not come with a keyboard, mouse or monitor, was hailed at the time as a major move into mass-market desktop computers.
Many look at the introduction of the Mac Mini as a shrewd way to profit from the huge success of the iPod. To some degree, it appears to be working. Apple’s global share of the desktop computer market hit 2.1 percent in the second quarter of 2005, nearly double its share a year ago, according to Kay.
In the absence of a word of command from the Apple Press office, various Apple message boards have been speculating on the reasons. Various ideas have been touted ranging from Apple didn’t have enough of the machines to, well, you take your pick.