Orange to offer subsidized MacBooks on contract?
By Donald Melanson 
posted Mar 27th 2009 8:44PM
posted Mar 27th 2009 8:44PM
This one's not a done deal just yet, but reports are starting to surface out of the UK that Orange and Apple are in the "final stages" of discussions about offering subsidized MacBooks to folks willing to sign a two-year mobile broadband contract. Of course, unlike some netbooks offered by the carrier, the MacBooks wouldn't be free, but some are speculating that the MacBooks could go for as little as £369 (or about $560), which is backed up somewhat by the £350 price Orange is currently asking for a Toshiba laptop on a similar contract. According to Mobile Today, the two companies have even gone so far as to test Orange's mobile broadband dongles with the MacBooks, and Orange has reportedly already made a "volume commitment" with Apple. Not surprisingly, the speculation only takes off further from there, with word circulating that Orange execs supposedly hope that this is only the beginning of a relationship with Apple, which could eventually lead to MacBooks with built-in SIM cards.
[Via The Register]
[Via The Register]
Is it for $100 a month though?
Same concern here. It seems like a interesting deal on the surface but...
And why Orange? O2 would have been more sensible because of the iPhone deal, and Orange usually have terrible contract deals.
Seems like an attempt to foil the netbook crowds from running away from Macs. But are the MacBooks that good so people are willing to pay even a bit more for them. I think the Unibody MacBooks are worth the premium, but I don't know about the plastic ones. Apple is trying to work all the angles so they don't lose money no matter what. That's an interesting strategy and I hope it works.
If any of this is true, I would imagine there is an element of possibility that the new iPhone will be on Orange. Which suits me perfectly.
@ ijyt
O2 has better contracts in some cases however their 3G reception is officially the worst in the UK. That is why I have not bought an iPhone.
Same shit another era. It used to be AOL and MSN crap rebates and now it is wireless service to subsidize computers.
apples and oranges
Too bad Lauren isn't cool enough to live in the UK.
Even with the subsidized MacBook she would still end up paying much more than she bargain for. Actually it would end up being more expensive than if she bought the MacBook from the Apple Store.
It's still not good enough for her, she'd prefer a 17" screen at 1280x800, with all the pixels visible, than a crisp 13" at the same resolution...
Poor Lauren. Little do she know how famous she will soon become.
Its never a good deal anyway.
lol... sounds like a bunch of fruit to me
In the end...you only pay more.
Maybe in three-four years when wireless broadband will be cheaper, i'll think about it.
Still a rip-off.
For that price you can get a much better equipped PC and go with your provider of choice anyways.
The only reason Engadget is posting this is because it's an Apple machine. These deals are common on UK mobile networks, but did they post when they were giving away Dells or Acers? No.
oh we gotta wise guy huh?! *holds down intercom*
"guards take Neil here away for some rehabilitation"
Actually I do seem to recall Engadget posting an article when Acer and Radioshack started their subsidized deal. Actually I think there were two separate articles, not one.
The 'Engadget loves Apple' crowd are like witch hunters and alien spotters. They see what they want to see, not what is actually there.
WOW Just think about the ad campaign. Apples to oranges :P, The fruit basket, its not like comparing apples to oranges, what goes better with a apple then a orange... the list is endless LMAO
The marketing writes itself.
This is all build up to what Orange want more than anything.... the iPhone on Orange.
If this Mac Book deal goes ahead its only a question of time...
The $560 is most likely at cost...
But yeah for the buyer it only will cost more in the end. However you don't have to pay as much up front and you get mobile internet everywhere!
It sounds good to me since you pay for internet in the first place.
As someone above asked, is it 100$ a month? That's the deal breaker there. I'd agree w/ you if it was about 40$ a month... Just like dropping the landline for a cell phone only. I don't have any experience w/ mobile broadband though. Is it comparable to DSL or cable?
Probably a 1GB cap.
i wonder if it will have a orange logo? anyone??
Darn, I was hoping for a Sony Vaio.
I hope they come with an Orange sticker to embarrass the show offs.
Saw yesterday a subsidized Sony Vaio P here in Spain, with Movistar...
This is nothing new. Orange here in Israel has been offering a free macbook (last gen) and nokia e71 (along with 5gb data, don't remember the voice/SMS plan) for around 50 bucks a month, and I believe a 3 year contract.
WOW!! When will we get Orange-USA? :) Apples = Oranges? :p
sounds tight,who gonna pull the trigger??
Creepy transvestite might be 4G?