Contract-laden 3G Acer Aspire One hitting US at just $99?
By Tim Stevens 
posted Dec 8th 2008 7:42PM
posted Dec 8th 2008 7:42PM
[Thanks, A RadioShack Guy]
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God why do only Americans see the price including data plan as cheap.
First whats with the hate on Americans, and second, its a great deal if you wanted a netbook if with 3G. The whole point of this is that its a 3G Aspire one, and I assume you would want to use that so if you were going to pay for 3G service is really helps to bring the cost of the machine down.
"I would gladly pay you $2000 over the next two years for a free ____ today" :P.
I don't see the hate for american in broli's comment but i do agree with you hexoDAT64. It does bring the cost down. Only problem is the service cost is unreasonably too high!
50 bucks says you're ugly.
Ok yeah after reading his comment I see that I overreacted a little bit. I'm just tired of seeing so many comments on Engadget that have hate towards America. Sorry :). But yeah the 60/month plan sucks, but if you are in the market for a 3G Netbook you might as well save on the cost of the unit if you can.
Me: "I'll have the phone and my Acer 1" for $99 !
BBY employee: Ok sir...but, I think you'll want the service plan for that !
Me: why?
BBY cause it could break - the manufacturer's warranty is 99 days but they only cover the keys, the HDD and the CPU
Me: what do you cover?
BBY, we cover the keys, the screen, the battery, and the led lights - in case they die out.
Me: ok, well how much is it?
BBY: $200 for 4 years...
Me: WHAT???????
BBY: Hold on, let me check... oh yes, there is also the 2 Year plan for $149.99 plus tax
Me: But its only $100
BBY: Well actually, its a $500 computer marked down, thats why the service plan costs that much.
Me: no thanks, i'll just take it as is...
BBY: Would you like the accessories to go with this...a new mouse? printer cartridges?
Me: No...
BBY Manager: You are gonna take the service with that aren't you?
Me: I don't think so its too expensive.
BBY Manager... let me see... if you take the service plan, I can discount it for you to $100!?!
Me: ...
So anyone that is NOT American is far too advance to do a deal like this?
BTW, you're fat.
Why I'll take one at $99 with 2yr
Oops, looks like I'll need to cancel after 1 day
Oh, a $200 cancellation fee? Shucks...
For sale, 1 day old, bids start at $399
Seems like a good deal to me!
Deferring payment is the American motto.
Yeah its Legit, I heard it from the local radio shack when I went to buy something on Saturday. $50 a month is definitely not worth it.
AT&T is the devil!
For those who are just looking at the dollar cost per month(60) you need to research the product. It costs more because you get more! You can use the internet from the laptop ANYWHERE you get a cell phone signal...on top of that it is a default wifi finder when you are in range to use it. You WILL NOT find a better value for what you get with AT&T $60 internet package. Did I mention you can send and recieve text messages too because it is assigned a phone number?? Lets see you take Verizon fios or any other home internet services on a road trip and recieve broadband internet!! Know the product before you speak on it :-) GREAT DEAL RADIO SHACK!! If consumers are smart they'll jump all over it!!!
Well, that is why I use WMWiFiRouter. I can share out a 3G signal that is faster than that provided by ATT and it only costs me $15/month. This kind of deal is for people who don't comparison-shop and will pay whatever a telco or ISP asks if it is presented as the norm.
I can verify this is true. I work for a RadioShack, and we have recieved these brochures, and we have been given training on this deal.
I can also confirm this as a RS sales associate. We got them in today. They've gotten a lot of attention from our customers.
Sorry to respond to a comment and not say a thing about it , ut i think people should know this. For all people complaining about the price of the service and only having it on one device u could do this.Well you could always go to at&t and get a usb dongle for $100, with a $100 rebate. the use the sim card in it to have mobile internet on any device! got that info from a At&t rep.
I got all excited at first :-), before I saw the monthly $60 minimum upon purchase :-0. This is kind of like a giant Peek with more features and way more $$$ due at the end of each month... Pass :-(.
Who needs 3G? It costs $$$ and WiFi's faster. But then again, WiFi isn't everywhere (yet). Just got a AA1 cheap, only $250!
But does your AA1 support 3G?
WHERE DID YOU FIND A AA1 FOR 250.00.
You can get the Linux version with 1 gb ram for $240 at newegg
http://todaysepicdeal.wordpress.com/2009/02/10/acer-aspire-one-onyx-black-atom-n270160ghz-89-netbook-23999/
This reminds me of the time I traded a toothpick for a refrigerator. I didn't do it all in one step, but damn was that a steal. Anyone want the Brooklyn Bridge for $99.99? I'll throw in a box of Kleenex.
pfft, i once turned a mole-hill into a mountain.
Ok, Seriously... Does it play DOOM ?!?! O_0 ... if so, my son would probably like this more than a psp.
Not only will it play DOOM...you can play HALF LIFE, COUNTERSTRIKE, QUAKE I or QUAKE II... ONLINE MULTIPLAYER !
Shut up Flashpoint. Just, shut up.
actually, this netbook can play Crysis.... any netbook can. Just do a simple google search!!!
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&pwst=1&q=netbook+%2B+crysis&start=0&sa=N
also there is something called StreammyGames...
http://streammygame.com/smg/index.php
Or you can use a $15 per month "unlimited" MEdia Net plan and my HSDPA mod: http://tnkgrl.wordpress.com/2008/10/28/modding-the-acer-aspire-one-hsdpa/
Thx for the great video, I watch it and upgraded my A1 within the 1st hour of opening the package :)
ok so can you cancel the contract after 30 days pay the $175 early termination fee and have it for $275?? not a bad deal if you can
not really...
You also sign a contract with radioshack that says that you must keep the service for at least 6 months or you will be charged $200 penalty from radioshack. pretty much like amazon.
I am a store manager for radioshack. I got 28 of those today and if you dont keep the service for the 6 months, the store will get $349.99 charge back from ATT.
Now remember that there is a 5gb tap from att.
At least you can put a mobile phone in your pocket. A netbook is only as "portable" as the bag carrying it. And by $35/month I assume you are referring to only the data portion... either that or 50,000 iPhone users just jumped off a bridge.
How much data are you getting for that 60$? in the uk yu can get 15gb plus an hp mini on 18 months cintract. Which i thought was very good deal. Though am waiting for them to bring the 1000 mini as the deal is for the 2133.
But is there a 5GB data cap? I am not interested until these data caps are gone.
After looking at this deal, it isn't very bad.
a $60 a month data plan will cost about $1440 for 2 years + tax
Imagine if you will, that you are a mobile proffessional that wants a computer you can use anywhere for the internet - say a businessman in the field - and you need it to be portable, and connected to the internet wherever you are in America - and up to the moment you don't have a personal laptop with a data networking card.
Well... you pay $100, sign up for the plan and you have internet access wherever for $1500.
considering Verizon and AT&T are faster networks than T-mobile, you'd end up paying just as much to use either of them since you'd have to #1 buy a new laptop at a HIGHER PRICE (around $600 or more) and #2 you'd have to buy the network card or usb plug-in to access the data networks.
I love the fact verizon allows you to data -tether their phones like the Storm and the EnV (unlike some Apple cellphone I could mention). I do think having a USB adapter for 3G would be more convienient to use on any computer I have, but, this is very,very convienient if you are in the need for small size and access on -the-go
the computer is $100 and you pay $60 a month for unlimited internet access? That's kool !
Yer not having a good posting day, are ya, Flashpoint?
BBY != Radio Shack
Data plan != Unlimited
Sleep it off. Try again tomorrow.
The phone companies in Japan have been doing this (noticed when I was there last month) and include a USB aircard. Not sure if they have the Acers with the built in 3G card though.
Not yet, though I imagine it won't be long.
OK, why don't you just get an AT&T SIM card and pay $15/ month for data on that, put the SIM in the 3G Aspire One's that Radio Shack is selling for $349 right now, way cheaper in the long run, way cheaper!!
1540$ vs 710$+air card, what a steal!
Most of you seem to be forgetting the fact that you're NOT paying $1500 for a laptop, but rather you're buying an internet service and receiving a subsidised netbook bundled with it. It's not like they're charging you $1500 for a netbook alone.
Personally, I get a mobile/data service that suits me, and then get whatever phone comes free with it. Then, if I don't like the phone, I'll buy the one I want outright. Doing it the other way around just costs you more in the long run.
Exactly. This is the same deal as any other laptop data plan. I have a Verizon ExpressCard for which I pay $59.99/month, and they gave me the card at a subsidized price when I started the contract. If you want to use the service on a netbook, then you can get the new service discount on that instead of another 3G modem. It's not even close to being a $1500 netbook.
I disagree. The people here are comparing not just the netbook price and the data plan seperately; rather, they are comparing the overall price of the plan and netbook together. Consider the similar argument about the iphone 3G: Yes, the new iphone is much cheaper, but adding in the data plan makes the service+phone (the price, in my opinion, that matter most) cost more than it previously did.
If you are comparing netbooks thats one thing, but the people here are comparing the worth of the deal with the netbook.
But I do see what you are saying, although I don't know about buying a phone; seems to me that phones, by themselves, even the cheap ones, cost $150+, and can easily be 250+. I don't know though, I've never bought a phone separately.
The bigger issue is this: when your contract is up, you should have paid off the subsidy for the netbook, right? So you'd think you could get a cheaper rate, right? No, your rate won't change, since the contract automatically goes to a month-to-month extension.
And there's no way for a sales rep to reduce the plans' rate, no matter what, except maybe for a one time credit that is likely to be denied.
I to can confirm. Stock is arriving at RS stores nationwide.
It is black in color with the SIM accessible behind the battery.
Will be a RadioShack exclusive for the time being.
I don't mean to gloat, but I can't be the only one with a SERO plan for $30 a month and WMWifiRouter...which effectively is a phone, mobile internet device, and wireless/seamless tethering solution all in one.
I, too, have the $30 SERO plan, but I use the USB cable to tether. WMWifiRouter does nothing special but kill your battery (both immediately and in long-term lifespan) unless you're sharing the connection with multiple computers.
they are selling $200 acer aspire one here in the philippines with these specs
Intel Atom N270
Linpus / 1Gb Memory
8.0Gb SSD (with One slot for SD card storage expansion)
Webcam / 3-cell battery
so whats the catch on this one?
i work for RS and this IS true.
We've got two at my store.
Ask for Mike.
...Hunt?
Nope. Litoris
Close:
Rotch
Some last minute shoppers that wont look at the overall price coming to a total of $1440 will most likely sign up for this plan just to get the netbook because it seems like its sorta the "in" thing like the iphone. We all know the iphone is not really $199 after 2 years. If they could have an actual spec-decent 15 inch or more laptop deal like this then I'd gladly sign up because the overall price would justify the hardware itself. My contract with ATT is up next week and after seeing the current selection of phones the only one they have I'm only willing to retire my Razr V3xx for is the Samsung eternity. Apple must have Att in a choke-hold and by the balls preventing them from getting the very awesomatic HTC touch HD because IMO this IS the true ipod killer. If ATT had this phone the iphone would be viewed as just another Razr and with Walmart soon to carry the iphone everybody, and their baby momma gonna have that phone. 2009 will be the over-saturation of the iphone. Apple knows they could have made the latest gen of the damn iphone right. Its like their holding back other most requested features and tossing them into each generation of the iphone just like the ipod. And no iphone fanboys... just adding more apps to the apple store doesnt count for hardware. Still love the iphone though...just not enough to warrant the purchase of one. Maybe from ebay next year where it will be a dime a dozen.
the musicplayer on that blows hard and the browser on it is medoicre at best. ive used that phone at att store,many times . now when reps say its not worth 150$ just get the iphone instead u know it sucks. sounds like ur wasting the very little money that u have or dont. u clearly know the iphone has the best browser ever released besides pc that is. best widescreen video ipod ever ,touchscreen is ages ahead of the competition.30 pin connector technoogy ,worlwide ipod docks/adapters etc etc .the iphone is not only innovative,but is now officially the standard by which all smartphones are measured against. still continues to be the top dawg almost 2 years after it was first introduced.scary thing is apple only been making phones for 1+ year. amazing to think whats in store for the future.
If I could afford a damn 2 year broadband internet agreement, why would I want t on a $99 laptop.
Honestly though, if I was planning on purchasing a mobile broadband card ANYWAYS (trust me, I would) why not save a few hundred in buying the laptop for it? Think about it, if I'm buying both a faptop and a wireless card, (which usually come with two year agreements anyways) I'd still spend at least 1500 for the fees of the wireless card, and another 500 at least for the above laptop! why not save the 400 and get them bundled?
Some stores in Japan will be offering 100Yen (~$1) netbooks with Emobile (data only 3G provider) service contracts.
To the Engadget community:
First of all, I wanted to confirm that that is REALLY the deal for the netbook... as Me as a RadioShack employee Had to take a sort of training (we need one for all most every products that we sell) to better assist the customer with the netbook. It is well known that this is first of its kind in United States. But I changed my mind on the confirmation after reading all the off-track/on track comments here. there are some comments here that has nothing really to do with the product or its price. I mean its like saying FIRST type of thing.. I just want to tell those of you (who has no idea/care what the topic really is).. YO D!cX HEAD NERDS.... GROW UP..... GET A LIFE....
and thanks to the rest of you.....
considering that you will be paying 4 to 5 times its worth, you might as well just buy it retail. its not like you can do much with it besides surf the web and email, and watch a 420x240 video, if thats even possible. can it even handle mp3's? LOL!
That's assuming that you weren't going to buy an air card to begin with that you're paying 3 times it's worth (1500, 500x3, not 4 or 5) Yes you can watch video on it, and yes it can handle mp3s, it's just like what the 'decent' laptops of two years ago are, that's all, just because it's a netbook and not as powerful as the laptops out now doesn't mean it's terrible.
People who buy this with the contract are probably the ones who want to have wireless broadband ANYWAYS, and no one's going to buy this solely for the netbook.
i can confirm, I was playing with it at work today. I like the book, it's decent.
MicroCenter has been offering an Acer netbook, normally $350, for $99 if you sign up with Vonage. Pretty much the same kinda deal.
i prefer the option of the tmobile data plan for $40 with a usb modem then it works on any laptop, in a cheap bluetooth phone and dun tether , or the ux380 which has a sim slot.
I'd rather tether.
I would want to sit on his laps and ask for netbook on xmas day!
Because we are rich! $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$4
"on plans costing $60/mo or more"
Is this a data+voice thing, so you get the 3G enabled netbook, and a phone, or is it just data only. $60 a month seems a lot* if you need to pay again for you mobile phone voice service.
* admittedly I'm clueless about these things...
There are far to many "radioshack employees" posting this info to this and other forums, all in the same basic format: "I can confirm the deal, I'm an RS employee, by the way the Aspire One is a great notebook."
hmm?
Well seeing as to how there are around 6000 RS stores throughout the US, you're bound to have many employees who frequent this site.
$60/month is still too high a price point for the limited (compared to Verizon's) 3G coverage offered by AT&T.
As others have pointed out, if you have a AT&T voice plan you can simply add unlimited MediaNet and tether (on certain phones) for a fraction of the price.
@All ... food for thought.
I have the Tilt + $59 'unlimited' plan
I have the Aspire One matching this one's specs (minus 3G) but including the **6-cell battery**
I have WMWiFiRouter and tether via wifi with it as needed with decent performance, just like I did with my old laptop.
As long as my Tilt is somehow charging and has screen off, I can tether almost indefinitely for routine browsing/email/etc. Done it on my 15" Toshiba for many months. The Toshiba's battery would go before I'd hit bottom on the Tilt charge/battery.
Which leads to my point, which I didn't see anywhere in the above 60 posts: The 3-cell basic battery in most Aspire One's seems to rate out 2.5 hrs of use on average from online reading I saw before I got mine w/6-cell ($379 Amazon after yelling at them about messing up the shipping). How much power is the 3G data going to suck down (as it does on my Tilt) if this RadioShack AAO has only a 3-cell battery on it? Does that mean you're reduced to online time of 1.5-2hrs tops? That = no-go IMHO.
Does that mean you're reduced to online time of 1.5-2hrs tops?
Yes, that's exactly what it means, give or take a few minutes depending on the power draw of the 3G radio vs. say, the built in wifi.
Buy a 6-cell battery, bring along your power adapter ... but remember that 5GB data cap!
So, you can get a netbook for $99, keep it for one month ($60), then cancel and pay penalty $175, total = $335
I heard if you cancel within the first month, you don't pay the penalty.
Is it worth the hassle for a netbook which normally sells for $349? There are probably some hidden extra fees you've forgotten about... my bet is that you lose money, though if 1 month of 3G data access is worth $60 to you then by all means be my guest.
Hm. Is the 3G card Ubuntu compatible? the rest of it? I mean, even if they're not selling it with ubuntu pre-installed... what works/doesn't-work if you install Ubuntu after-market?
We've had deals like this for a while in London, only there is no initial payment and you can get a fully featured notebook for $50 a month including a 3g dongle and 5gb allowance... i think the best deal i saw was a dell netbook with a modem built in for $40pm, the US always seems to get scammed on mobile data.....
Honestly, I was just bummed when I saw this. I work at a Radioshack and I can't believe that I didn't think about informing Engadget myself. Oh well, too late now.
so is this a good deal or not?
For $350 i bought a 10" inch msi wind@ best buy.com.. Im planning on getting a tmobile curve 1 for $0.00 after i sign up for instant $99 rebate(most tmobile stores honor instant rebates depending on personal) ...then is was offered another $99 rebate If im willing to try out one of their data plans. I planning on using the data for one month the canceling (which the tmobile rep says is fine ??). after that ill just tether the msi with the curve if i need to @ wifi spot. for an extra 10 bucks i can use the tmobile @ home service uma something or other...So all in all F the $1500.. theres other options...
Funny, I've seen people mentioning wmwifi but nobody's mentioned June Fabric's PDANet software as an alternative -- a neat thing about it is it doesn't just support usb, but other tethering methods including bluetooth and wifi, and while having a 'mobile hotspot' might be useful for certain purposes, it could also be problematic if you're more interested in security; plus, tethering via usb means you don't need to drain your phone's battery (winmobile or iphone are currently supported, i believe).
That said, I have a Sprint Everything plan (I pay around $100 for *everything*, I'm sure you've seen the deal; frankly I just wanna know what my bill is gonna be every month so I can budget for it). Anyway, that said, technically one cannot tether with it but even if I paid for phone as modem (I think it's around $40) I'd *still* be saving money over ATT and getting EvDO speed (which is, let's face it, fast enough for most things). Yes, it's not 3G, but it's comparable to some home networks and faster than a lot of the wifi hotspots I've come across (and pretty reliable in my experience, but that might be because I'm in a metro area). No data cap, either. Yay!
Also (and it took me til this page to see someone finally did bring it up): A 3 cell battery? With a 3G connection? Yeah, that won't die quickly. Not at all. Heh. :D
Got the Acer Aspire One for Christmas, it won't connect to internet. Can someone help?