Dell's Mini 9 gets the subsidy treatment

We all love netbooks, and we also love things costing less than $100. However, since we're not exactly fond of lengthy contracts, it was with mixed feelings that we reported on Acer's Aspire One being available in the US for a penny under a Benjamin -- plus 24 month's worth of your soul. Dell is joining in on the fun now, making its own deal with AT&T to enable the purchase of a hot little Mini 9, valued at $449, for $99 after a $350 rebate and a (qualifying) two year contract. The deal is offered exclusively through Dell, but only until the end of the month.

[Via jkOnTheRun]

[Matt @ Jan 10th 2009 2:35PM]

So how much of a "rebate" does that turn out to be? :P

[Chase @ Jan 10th 2009 2:53PM]

the kind that takes 6 months for you to recieve.

[Sea Urchin @ Jan 10th 2009 2:58PM]

But the question is, if you paid $400 would you still pay for Internet? If yes, than you may as well get that subsidized laptop.

[Don @ Jan 10th 2009 5:50PM]

AT&T is the devil...

[Jazz1 @ Jan 10th 2009 2:43PM]

I'd really like to have the "always on" thing but I'm thinking I'd probably be running into the data caps that usually come along with these types of accounts. I also wish they would offer service bundles. Paying for a smartphone, like the iPhone, and then paying for data access on a netbook would buy a lot of lattes at my local coffee shop where wifi is free.

$99.00 does not see like much of a rebate.

[dcoaster @ Jan 10th 2009 2:58PM]

LOL. The rebate is $350 to a final price of $99.

[sonny @ Jan 10th 2009 3:01PM]

look, I work at radioshack, those people that were getting the Acer one for $99.99 are coming back to the store with $2000 bills from att. The reason, the went over the 5gs.

[whopper @ Jan 10th 2009 2:50PM]

is the 3g built in?if its a card useable in any computer then it got a little better.

[E-Rock @ Jan 10th 2009 2:54PM]

# Inspiron Mini 9 with built-in mobile broadband capability regularly $449 is available for $99 after a $350 mail-in Dell rebate exclusively on Dell.com.
# Requires the purchase of a two-year AT&T Laptop Connect agreement for $60 per month. Additional fees apply.

So the $449 unit is $99 + (60 * 24) = $1539 + Additional fees. No thanks.

[marky-b @ Jan 10th 2009 2:59PM]

yea, i'd rather use my ppc that tethers via bluetooth and just keep that in my pocket. same principle, i suppose. now.. to pick out a netbook...

[Dan McQuade @ Jan 10th 2009 2:55PM]

After spending $65/mo x 24 months on your AT&T laptop connect contact, that retail price of $449 sounds like a steal!

[Bill Mullen @ Jan 10th 2009 3:13PM]

Just pay the cancellation like people did on the iPhone. you get the mini for cheaper then paying retail.

[Shugg @ Jan 10th 2009 3:16PM]

Selling your soul? So what editor is saying is that every single person who has a 3g/sprint/vzw card is selling your soul. Everyone of those manufactureres require a 2 year contract with an early termination fee. On top of that u have to buy wireless card for $99-$200plus$36 activation.I would never do that , I have no need.I don t see why some people pay cell providers like art sprint vzw $60,70 90 month just for Internet.r u one of those???

[The_Ape @ Jan 10th 2009 3:30PM]

We've had those sorta deals in the UK for yonk's, in fact the notebooks are usually free!

[john @ Jan 10th 2009 3:46PM]

Hm. Not offered with the ubuntu version.

[Bob @ Jan 10th 2009 4:24PM]

Yeah, because Ubuntu is uber hard to install.

[john @ Jan 10th 2009 4:52PM]

I avoid using non-vendor supported OSes, or OSes that don't have that specific hardware in mind as they do development. It leads to complications, vendors refusing to do service (or requiring you to do dumb things like re-install the OS they shipped on it). Just not worth the time.

[StickMaker @ Jan 10th 2009 5:14PM]

forget Ubuntu; I did!

[dennis @ Jan 10th 2009 3:48PM]

I assume you're a child, so here's my answer:

1. Because they want you to think you're getting a great deal. The price of the computer distracts the customer from the cost of the two year contract.

2. Because they want your money. It gives them the resources they need to make the system work they way they promise it will up front, but don't really mean.

[johhny @ Jan 10th 2009 3:58PM]

The biggest issue with this is that there is no way I'm keeping the same computer, let alone a netbook, for 2 years. So as long as I could get a new netbook and then transfer my 3G service, I suppose its an OK deal.

[lawyer bird @ Jan 10th 2009 4:04PM]

Just like why would you want a single phone for 2 years? That's way too long of a time to not get stuck with an outdated brick of a piece of hardware.

[shugg @ Jan 10th 2009 4:01PM]

wake up n smell the coffe.,do u live in america? att,vzw n sprint all require 2 yr contract with up to $250 early cancellation fee.$36 activation ,$50,60,70. or 80$ month,plus u have to buy 99$ or 199 wirelesss card.,only if u want to use internet on the go.,

[Bob @ Jan 10th 2009 4:23PM]

Yes, your country just sodomizes you some other way that you don't realize it.

[dennis @ Jan 10th 2009 4:41PM]

Lol.

[thepooper @ Jan 10th 2009 5:08PM]

hmmmm...I am planning on filing bankruptsy. So I can pick one up for $99. Not pay the $60 a month for 3 months and then file. Sticken it to the Man!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Kristian Freeman @ Jan 10th 2009 5:11PM]

Jailbroken iPhone + PDANet + Mini 9 = better solution

[brian @ Jan 10th 2009 5:12PM]

As soon as the price drops another $100, it will be free with a 2 year plan!

[Rucka @ Jan 10th 2009 6:41PM]

hahaha naive

[Kinetic @ Jan 10th 2009 8:06PM]

I honestly don't know why someone would pay anything and sign a contract just to get a laptop and net connected.

In the UK anyway you get proper laptops or these undersized wannabes without paying a penny before hand

[Bob @ Jan 10th 2009 4:24PM]

I'm so happy for you! We should all just move over to the UK! Everything is PERFECT over there!

[Al @ Jan 10th 2009 9:24PM]

$60 a month vs $15 a month tethered to an unlocked phone. What would you do?