Apple’s iPod Helps Drive iBook Education Sales

Sales of the Apple iPod are helping to accelerate the sale of laptop Macs, according to USA Today.

The article reports that Appleis Cram. And Jam promotion for students has helped Apple sell more iBooks. The promotion gives a US$200 iPod rebate to students who purchase a new Apple laptop. At Appleis discounted education price, that effectively makes an entry-level iPod just $69.

The promotion is being heralded as one reason Appleis share of the education laptop market has risen to 26.7% from 22.6% earlier this year, according to market tracking company IDC.

IDC analyst Roger Kay said if Apple can convert some new student buyers to lifelong Apple customers, it would mean a jump in market share from 2% now to perhaps 4%,