Buy a new Mac now, upgrade to Lion for free

Apple's Mac OS X Lion press release reveals that those who purchase a new Mac on or after June 6, 2011 will be able to receive a free copy of Mac OS X Lion. Apple's Up-To-Date program typically lets customers who buy new Macs within a certain time frame update to the latest OS at a reduced cost, typically US$9.95 for a disc. It appears Apple is eliminating the fee entirely with Lion. From the press release:

"The Mac OS X Lion Up-To-Date upgrade is available at no additional charge via the Mac App Store to all customers who purchased a qualifying new Mac system from Apple or an Apple Authorized Reseller on or after June 6, 2011. Users must request their Up-To-Date upgrade within 30 days of purchase of their Mac computer. Customers who purchase a qualifying Mac between June 6, 2011 and the date when Lion is available in the Mac App Store will have 30 days from Lions official release date to make a request."

That's good news for anyone who's in the market for a new Mac and either can't (or doesn't want to) wait until Lion is released to make a purchase.

[Via MacRumors]