We knew we'd see cheap / free subsidized netbooks eventually, and here we are: Best Buy and Sprint are offering up a Compaq-branded
HP Mini 110c for just 99 cents when you sign a two-year data contract. Yeah, it looks good on paper, especially since AT&T and Verizon will ding you $199 for the same machine, but we just don't think it's worth it: at $60 a month for service, you'll be spending $1,440 for two years of pain with that 1.6GHz Atom, 1GB of RAM and three-cell battery. We'd say you're way better off grabbing a
3G USB stick you can use with multiple machines, or, if you're feeling particularly baller, throwing down for a
MiFi and kicking it mobile hotspot style -- it'll cost the same
$60 a month from Sprint, but you'll be able to get five machines online at once. But that's just us -- any of you particularly hot for this almost-free netbook?
[Via
jkOnTheRun]
posted Jul 6th 2009 12:22PM
1.6GHz Atom ftl...
Unlike the other atoms, the N280 has 667 FSB. In my search for a netbook I found that only the netbooks with the 280 could run 720p HD without audio/video sync issues. I had to install coreavc and add it as an external filter for Media Player Classic Home Cinema, but it worked! Tested using a Toshiba NB205-N312, its a sweet little machine.
Apparently Engadget doesn't get the point here. This is for my Grandma and other people who have no idea what the F a MiFi is. They walk into Best Buy looking for a new laptop and they see this thing that comes with the Internet 'built in'!! Amazing technology! Oh, and it's only a buck?!?! Sign me up!
Apparently Engadget doesn't get the point here. This is for my Grandma and other people who have no idea what the F a MiFi is. They walk into Best Buy looking for a new laptop and they see this thing that comes with the Internet 'built in'!! Amazing technology! Oh, and it's only a buck?!?! Sign me up!
What's wrong with a 1.6Ghz Atom? Are you that picky in a netbook that you demand the extra .06Ghz in your processor? Besides, you are missing the point. ITS A F**KING NETBOOK.
Apparently Engadget doesn't get the point here. This is for my Grandma and other people who have no idea what the F a MiFi is. They walk into Best Buy looking for a new laptop and they see this thing that comes with the Internet 'built in'!! Amazing technology! Oh, and it's only a buck?!?! Sign me up!
Apparently Engadget doesn't get the point here. This is for my Grandma and other people who have no idea what the F a MiFi is. They walk into Best Buy looking for a new laptop and they see this thing that comes with the Internet 'built in'!! Amazing technology! Oh, and it's only a buck?!?! Sign me up!
RadioShack has the Acer 3G 25-1114 for Free with 2yr Agreement w/ ATT this week
definitely not worth it, considering one year into your contract every netbook should have specs that down right embarrass this machine
Frankly, I think ALL laptops should come with built in broadband wireless connectivity and buyers should be offered discounts if they sign up for 2 years of service.
I'm paying $85 a month on my iPhone so frankly, $60 a month for internet on a windows enabled laptop or netbook doesn't sound bad at all.
I think this actually isn't that bad of an idea...
The embedded module is likely a Qualcomm Gobi module that supports Att/Verizon/Sprint 3G frequencies. So after the netbook becomes too slow, open it up, pull the module from the MiniPCIe slot, sell the netbook for $100-150 on ebay, grab your new netbook/laptop and pop the module in, continue on your way.
"I'd buy that for a dollar"
Engadget said "baller".
So?
Engadget said "baller".
"when you sign a two-year data contract."
It is therefore not a 99 cent netbook.
Yeaaaah, calling this a 99 cent netbook is like calling your car free because you're making payments on it.
If you just go for the data plan, it's the same cost. So yes, you are getting a $.99 netbook.
/facepalm.
Much like the iPhone doesn't really cost $99?
Negative on the notebook, ghostrider.
the pattern is full
The cell phone cartel never ceases to amaze me at how they take advantage of people's ignorance. P. T. Barnum would be proud.
Exactly. It would be a lot better if they just charged what they need to satisfy their profit goals and stop all the games with terms, contracts, rebates, surcharges, and general nickle & diming for things.
It's sprint.....no!
Have you had sprint service in the last 3 years? It's not the same old sprint.
It's Sprint... the company with the nation's most powerful network. Unlike on AT&T for example, you'll get some decent 3G speeds...
This is the same deal you get from the others only 200 bucks less in the end. Plus... the cancellation fee is probably cheaper than buying the netbook outright anyway (especially with the new pro-rated laws in effect)
(and I use an iPhone, I'm not particularly biased towards sprint)
I had Sprint service for many years.
The last straw was when they added a $5 picturemail fee to my account in the aftermath of the nextel merger.
They screwed up so many accounts with that.
I'm happy with T-Mobile!
No, they don't have the best network around, but the customer service is good and I'll never go back to Sprint
Being on the Sprint network would be the ONLY reason to go for this "deal". I have the Palm Pre, fiance has the iPhone, take a guess who gets better network speeds by a long shot in Mid-Michigan.
That being said, still wouldn't get that piece at all. I would rather lug around my real laptop with the usb card they offer.
I don't get what all the hatred is toward Sprint. I've had Sprint now for three years and they've had the best customer service out of any carrier I've ever been with. I've had T-mobile, Cingular and AT&T in the past. AT&T was just horrific.
In answer to your question... no, it's not.
The sad fact is that there will be no shortage of people willing to take that deal.
What this same post made for the Verizon/ATT Netbooks?
Since it's from Sprint - it gets hated on, but the ones for $200 more, probably were praised as the first of it's kind!
I never feel subsidized phones/netbooks are worth the need to lock down to a 2 year contract! If you MUST get the service, then get it and sell the subsidized thing on ebay.. Otherwise, don't let it factor into your decision.. They are making multiple times more with your monthly fee at the end of your contract!
I bought three.
*choke*
HAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAAAAAHHHAHAHAH.... *GAAASSP*
man I'm a terrible liar.
How many contracts do you tie yourself to?
I personally prefer buying non-subsidized products, be it phone or whatever and use the best available product and service.
It all works out cheaper/even in the long run and there is lesser frustration. You buy the netbook you want and use it the way u like.
For example, I bought a phone that allows teethering and am able to use the internet on my netbook for a $20 medianet plan.
It doesn't always come out cheaper. For example, lets take a look at two popular phones. The iPhone costs $599 for a contract-free version vs. $199 for a 2-year commitment. If you cancel out, it's $175 on top of the $199 bringing it to $374 for the phone; however, that's assuming you cancel right away. If you actually use it for sometime before you cancel out, it's actually cheaper than that (since the contract is prorated). Lets take a look at the BB Tour next from Sprint. That phone is $579.99 regular price; however, signing a two-year agreement allows you to get it for $199.99. Assuming you cancel out within 6 months, it'll cost you $399.99 for the phone (and if you cancel out after six months, even less since that's when Sprint's prorated credit kicks in). I didn't include monthly fees because whether you have a contract or not, you're paying the same price for service.
Enjoy that while you can... The carriers are changing their network systems so they can detect people who are tethering without a tethering plan. You will be caught... And they can change you to a tethering plan, and backdate it quite a ways back. You're risking some hefty fees being brought down on you. This is all in the agreement you sign with your carrier btw.
"Better off buying a 3G USB dongle?"
Yeah, and an entire computer? Funny how you can "find" the $1440 'hidden' cost of the service, but conveniently leave out the cost of an entire laptop in your alternative scenario.
We all recognize the limitations of the Atom, but this is still a deal for someone in search of something like this. Especially as long as everyone else charges $199 for the same thing, and last time I checked Verizon data was more expensive than Sprint.
Yeah I'm totally confused since the USB sticks need the same $60 a month data plan...and to get the USB stick free you need to sign a 2 year contract as well so you might as well get the free laptop then buy the mifi on ebay or something.
Such Sprint haters. Now that Sprint offers the same product as AT&T and Verizon, but cheaper, it isn't worth it. When AT&T and Verizon were the only ones doing it, but charging $199 for the machine, where was the "is it worth it" article?
For an Engadget user, maybe it isn't worth it. For many consumers it is a deal.
Calm down, Mr. Hesse.
Just kidding. Sprint does have an awesome network and this IS a better deal than both AT&T and Verizon. Too many people can't get over their completely irrational fear/loathing of Sprint though.
Engadget is right, it is not worth it! Neither are the Verizon or AT&T deals. Even if Verizon or AT&T or Sprint gave you a $100 gift card with this deal and did not charge you anything, it would not be worth it. When most people purchase a computer, they want their specifications on the computer. This is a ridiculous deal because most netbook purchasers are purchasing their small, uncomfortable netbook as a secondary computer or as a computer for their school aged kids. I would have to agree, the deal is much better to purchase a Sprint USB card or MiFi device and then you can use it on any other computer. This deal limits the usage of the modem to only that computer.
Not a good deal.
Meh.. why not just tether the smartphone that you probably have already? I mean that's only $15 additional, instead of well.. $60 additional each month. And hey if you're really savvy, why not just go grey area with a smartphone and tether for nothing? At least with a tethering solution you can make calls.
So, Iphone users spend upwards of $3119 plus taxes and fees for their two year contract plus the $200 for the phone and few people bat an eye. What's the big deal with spending $1440 over two years for 3g Internet for those that want or need the always on access?
another dumb-ass who didn't read the article.
No, you're the dumb-ass for not getting my point which was the last sentence. "What's the big deal with spending $1440 over two years for 3g Internet for those that want or need the always on access?" WANT AND NEED being the operative words.
To answer the question in the title, NO it is not worth it, UNLESS YOU WANT IT and NEED IT. Which is why I made the Iphone comparison. Iphones aren't worth what you pay in the end either UNLESS THAT'S WHAT YOU WANT or NEED. "Worth" is what someone is willing to pay. If people are willing to pay that price, then YES it is worth it. And yes I know the article's point was to get an aircard instead of a built-in adapter but there are many customers that don't have need of the aircard, don't like the protrusion of them, nor don't want to worry about losing it.
My second point to this was that there have been a good many articles saying how much it is not worth doing the aircard/built-in 3g with notebook discounts when no one does the same with IPhones and Cell phones in general. All of these articles on IPhones don't even talk about the owner spending $3000 plus over that 2 year period. They just talk about the WOW and BLING. I'm with many people in thinking neither is worth it TO ME. Although a nice-to-have, I don't need it, nor want it enough to pay those inflated prices.
@Josh "3000 plus over a 2 year period"
um $3112 / 24 = $129.95 uh that's like if you get unlimited everything or something, base plans are $70 + taxes, so it's similar to this. I agree with your point (if you're getting this service *anyways* yes you get a $1 netbook), but you're math is off.
Nathan, I've been under the impression that that was the plan most people had. I know it is the plan that most here in Miami have. My math isn't off, it just doesn't apply to everyone.
And yes, that wasn't my point, more that noone bats an eye at the subsidized plans for phones but when a netbook comes out with it, people kinda freak out.
There is not a single netbook in existence that is worth subsidizing.
Walt Mossberg at WSJ compared the netbook offerings from ATT and Verizon and his analysis was that it's cheaper to buy a netbook at discount and find a plan that works best in your area.
I guess it's not that bad, but i'm almost certain i would be better off buying the netbook for its full price and using my phone as a modem.
$60 is a bit much, especially as people mostly have some kind of a data deal for their mobile phone which they pay for, but don't fully use.
radioshack has the Acer Aspire One for FREE when you sign with at&t :)
This is true, as an employee for the communistic radioshack (no one should work on the 4th), they do offer a free Aspire one netbook for free and have been so...sry Sprint you lose again
No, Sprint wins, because these people don't have to step foot in a RS.
I'd take the HP Mini over the Aspire any day.
Verizon offers one free with FiOS service.
Not trying to be funny but are these subsidised netbooks with 3G something new in the US? They're everywhere over here across the pond.
Yes. This is new. And like anything new, people are scared.
Josh, be sensitive. We're three years behind Europe in terms of cell tech.
Grab a phone from your carrier that can tether via USB or Bluetooth and just turn on/off data on a month-to-month basis (forget getting locked into a data contact)
Actually, the better option would be to buy the Gateway netbook (which has double the drive and RAM and a much better display) at Best Buy for $399 + the Virgin Mobile 3G USB for $149 and spend $30 per month for 30 hours of wireless access with Virgin. You can easily find enough free W-Fi access to make the 30 hours doable, if not, more is available. Cost for 2 years = $1268 AND NO CONTRACT!
why the title isnt about not worth it for very similar offer from verizon or ATT?
Ohhh, my brain.
Your mum's a what?
I hate the Atom processor and any product that uses it.
Also, I hate cellular broadband prices.
So nothing in this article is worth it.
sir, you need therapy
It's a Compaq, so no.
This would've been a decent deal if BBY had actually allocated inventory correctly. Ad minimum was two, and that's exactly what every store got. Two. Then, a POG came out to put one of these on an endcap, even though it's a burst SKU. So that brought every store down to one NIB, one OB.
BBY corp. failed big time with this one. This was just a ploy to get people into the store.
This reminds me of the deals at Best Buy for free computers when you sign up for AOL. Just as it was back then, people would be foolish to purchase a computer that was part of this bundle. They might hit one good spec (like HDD) but everything else is sorely lacking. Looks like this model is being refreshed w/ Sprint. They should be happy w/ the comparison to AOL ;-)
I might buy a phone from a computer company, but never a computer from a phone company.
HP? Sprint?
FAIL.
This will not take off.
Of, course, if you just rebranded the SAME setup (netbook, plan and all) with the logos of Apple, AT&T and offer it for $99 (vs $0.99), then it will sell like hotcakes.
Ahh, Monday morning jokes...
99cents is better than the fake subsidy ($199) that are offered by others.
YAWN. Wake me when one of these providers subsidizes a REAL laptop with a built-in connection. I have no use for netbooks.
HP already has them- Best Buy had one for $799 (C2 duo, 4gb, 250hd 14")
I don't understand HP/Compaq Mini anymore. It used to be Compaq Mini for European consumer market and HP Mini for the rest, now I'm confused.
Im pretty sure i saw one for free at at&t (it was the 9 inch aspire one)
The cell chip here is really just a mini pci-e card anyways. I would get this, then put the card into my dell and sell the netbook. Problem solved. It also happens to be the cheapest way to get a mini pci-e card (free is better than $300 from dell)
Well, i was one of the dumb a$$ that bought this special. Its a nice unit and handles HD 720p very well. I wondering after my 30 days is up, if i can cancel my contract and pay the 200 ETF fee and have me a cheap nice netbook without using the broadband card?
I still don't get netbooks, don't they have like a 40% return rate? Now, I may get one for my 6 year old, but it's only because I consider these things to be toys.
The AT&T equipped Acer books are worth it, and I will tell you why.
Go to your local RS and purchase any AT&T contracted netbook.. Any Acer, the HP, or Lenovo S10E. Take it home and keep it for a month or so. After you've had your fill of the AT&T wireless internet. You take the simcard out, and slam it in your old phone, or in a Go Phone or whatever. Then call AT&T and change the price plan on the netbook's phone number to... an actuall phone price plan. Shit you can even be cheap and do something like Data or text only if you wanted to. Bingo - get a netbook.
As far as Sprint's service - it rocks. Touch Pro, slightly massaged and you'll get a great mobile experience. Tether my jawn to my laptop via bluetooth after the massaging - no additional charge.
But sok, Engadget writers and most of their readers of blinder wearing hate breeders. Those of us with a little less techno-ego will reap the rewards. =)
Hate the Atom? The Neo is even worse.
Gorgeous HP netbook running vista of all things with a Neo... reminds me of a P4.
$60 a month to access the Internet on a toy? No thanks.
We have the MiFi (Verizon flavor), and it is really great. Just used it on the way from Detroit to Chicago, and it didn't drop the signal once along the I-94 route. Even my venerable USB 727-B from Verizon wasn't able to hold the signal all the way through.
Kid
mmmmmm, where to start. As someone posted above me, probably not for the gadget crowd, but a good deal none the less. Why, well, while most of you guys sitting in the basement of the science building see the tech turds plopping out of the sphincter of gadget heaven, it takes a while for the smell to waft to mainstream everyone else.
WTF is he talking about you ask? Netbooks. And specifically, netbooks with anywhere connectivity. Ya see, seven months ago when I got my Mini9, no one else here where I live had even heard of them, except the few tech savy people who had or had seen the eeepc. Within 2 months of seeing mine at the local java shop(one of those rare times when I make a public appearance) there were 3 other people w/Mini9's. Now I'm lucky if I can find a coffee shop or cafe within 100 miles that doesn't have an army of netbooks inside. Shit, even my granny, who didn't know what an internet was back in october, has a Mini10 now.
What's my point? Well since ya asked. Netbooks may seem underpowered to some of you CPU-commandos, but for the other 100 million people out there, netbooks are the perfect way for mainstream everyone to get outside their house and display their tech prowess while they IM and Facebook their lives away.
My brother-in-law just picked up 3(yup three) HP's at AT&T last month for each of his youngsters. He could have saved about $300 with this deal, but his service is through AT&T anyway so I don't think that matters. Anyway, netbooks are here to stay, and as the desktop slowly slides into the has-been abyss, you'll see a lot more of these underpowered, hard to see, little 'gadgets' popping up everywhere. Contrary to the 'experts' belief that netbooks are a fad, never under-estimate mainstream everyone's desire to have the latest tech-turd.
It's a good deal for someone.
People do this everyday with contracts for data-capable phones.
I am SHOCKED to learn that a computer and wireless service together cost more than the computer alone.
SHOCKED, I tell you.
AT&T's been offering subsidized free netbooks for a while...
so people are complaining about the price in the long run, i swear about every carrier charges about 60 bucks average, so you could say your getting the netbook for free, you would be doing the same thing if you bought an air card.
Yeah, we've had these sort of deals for a few months in the UK. It makes more sense for the full size budget laptop deals as they're less likely to date.
Well I don't think somehow the netbook isn't worth it because you must pay a monthly fee. I mean you're paying for the internet service. The 2 year contract is what you trade for a subsidized unit. It's not like they are charging you more for the service. Some people would like flexibility that would go with a usb stick, but I also understand that some people would like a simple way to check their email and such and a "free" laptop would do the trick quite nicely. Let's say you don't have a laptop and need to get mobile internet service.
It may not be for you, but I'm sure for some people this is quite a deal.
Sprint could be giving it away free, and it still wouldn't do me any good to try to connect to their system at my home. I've lived here 10 years, with my Sprint wireless, and it continues to be a Sprint DEAD ZONE. Sprint says they have zero plans to improve it (its a fairly well populated area of Orlando). My workphone is an AT&T -- gets 5 X 5 signal, plus super-strong 3G.
I guess my days as a Sprint customer are very limited. I must say, I'll miss their nationwide coverage when I'm out in the rest of the U.S.
a Sprint Aircard might just be what you need. Call your local store or customer service to see if there are any plans for a future Aircard with RevA
I think everyone is looking at this wrong.
1. You get a decent netbook.
2. 3G data connection
3. You get a wifi hot spot(although a lot bigger than a mifi) with ICS for any other wifi enable devices
4. Free/cheap gadgets are always a plus.
Not a bad deal if you'd utilize the benefits or have spare money to waste/spend on toys.
The title of the article should read "Sprint first to offer a 99-cent netbook, for $1,440.99"
Uh... Paul b. Chapel? Where'd the A. guy go?
That is how much it cost for that service, whether it is a cell card or the premium on the phone service. If you trade stocks at work (not as your job), and do not/cannot use the corporate computer, having a light computer in which you can access the internet anywhere is a great deal. There are plenty of situations where access to a computer with internet is vital, just think about all the people who use their smart phones for business (as opposed to just playing around). $60 a month is not a bad deal considering what you use it for.
I rather do that than give att and apple 40 a month for there shitty online service...
Uhm.. definitely not worth it.
For $1,500 you can get a very nice laptop!
Or even better, for like $500 less you can get a good desktop.
This is just stupid.
What a rip-off. These carriers really think they can prey on the instant gratification needs of the public. Oh well, yes they probably can. People fell for those MSN "free computer" deals, they'll fall for this.
Boy I wish I were a cellular carrier.