A few days ago, we reported that Lenovo had no plans to offer people who buy a new Windows 7 PCÂ a way to get a rebate on Microsoft"s $14.99 Windows 8 upgrade price. This was based on a statement sent to us by a Lenovo PR rep on August 27th.
Now it looks like Lenovo has had a change of heart on this matter, although they appear to be a little sneaky about it. A third party rebate website has posted up word that customers who purchase select new Windows 7 PCs from Lenovo will indeed be able to get back their $14.99 Windows 8 upgrade charge by Microsoft. The offer apparently started on August 31, four days after our email exchange with the Lenovo rep. This rebate offer is not mentioned at all on Lenovo"s own web site.
The rebate will come in the form of a $15 pre-paid Visa card. The site says the rebate is for the IdeaPad Z,P, U, and Y series laptops and the IdeaCentre A, B, and K desktop/all-in-one PCs. It also covers the Lenovo N and G laptops and the Lenovo desktop. The offer does not cover the IdeaCentre Q desktop or the Lenovo C desktop. The time period for the offer ends on January 31, 2013.
If you have a new Lenovo product that"s been bought within the required time period, the website directs users to complete and then print the online Rebate Redemption Form, along with printing the Microsoft Windows 8 upgrade receipt. Users must then mail those forms, along with the complete Lenovo PC sales receipt or invoice and the UFC label off the PC"s box to the required address in order to get the $15 gift card.
Source: Lenovo Windows 8 Upgrade Rebate page | Image via Lenovo