Sprint first to offer a 99-cent netbook, but is it worth it?

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]

[brr404 @ Jul 6th 2009 12:25PM]

1.6GHz Atom ftl...

[OneLove @ Jul 6th 2009 1:12PM]

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.

[Eric B @ Jul 6th 2009 3:20PM]

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!

[Eric B @ Jul 6th 2009 3:26PM]

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!

[Will @ Jul 6th 2009 6:39PM]

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.

[Barney @ Jul 6th 2009 7:04PM]

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!

[ishism @ Jul 6th 2009 10:45PM]

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!

[henrym83 @ Jul 7th 2009 12:54AM]

RadioShack has the Acer 3G 25-1114 for Free with 2yr Agreement w/ ATT this week

[Ben @ Jul 6th 2009 12:25PM]

definitely not worth it, considering one year into your contract every netbook should have specs that down right embarrass this machine

[Quantumphysics @ Jul 6th 2009 12:37PM]

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.

[cocoviper @ Jul 6th 2009 12:50PM]

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.

[OneLove @ Jul 6th 2009 1:13PM]

"I'd buy that for a dollar"

[Jason @ Jul 6th 2009 12:26PM]

Engadget said "baller".

[loocas @ Jul 6th 2009 5:13PM]

So?

[Barney @ Jul 6th 2009 7:15PM]

Engadget said "baller".

[fanman @ Jul 6th 2009 12:27PM]

"when you sign a two-year data contract."

It is therefore not a 99 cent netbook.

[GRAMMAR POLICE @ Jul 6th 2009 1:10PM]

Yeaaaah, calling this a 99 cent netbook is like calling your car free because you're making payments on it.

[Agent .25i @ Jul 6th 2009 1:22PM]

If you just go for the data plan, it's the same cost. So yes, you are getting a $.99 netbook.
/facepalm.

[Phrank @ Jul 6th 2009 2:17PM]

Much like the iPhone doesn't really cost $99?

[JJ @ Jul 6th 2009 12:28PM]

Negative on the notebook, ghostrider.

[From My Cube @ Jul 6th 2009 1:14PM]

the pattern is full

[Jamus @ Jul 6th 2009 12:29PM]

The cell phone cartel never ceases to amaze me at how they take advantage of people's ignorance. P. T. Barnum would be proud.

[Patrick @ Jul 6th 2009 12:33PM]

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.

[SiXiam @ Jul 6th 2009 12:29PM]

It's sprint.....no!

[Jon @ Jul 6th 2009 12:33PM]

Have you had sprint service in the last 3 years? It's not the same old sprint.

[MJZimmer88 @ Jul 6th 2009 12:34PM]

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)

[SiXiam @ Jul 6th 2009 12:47PM]

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

[guru80 @ Jul 6th 2009 1:48PM]

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.

[Michael @ Jul 6th 2009 4:54PM]

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.

[Patrick @ Jul 6th 2009 12:31PM]

In answer to your question... no, it's not.

[chris @ Jul 6th 2009 12:33PM]

The sad fact is that there will be no shortage of people willing to take that deal.

[Bob Turner @ Jul 6th 2009 12:36PM]

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!

[Ray @ Jul 6th 2009 12:41PM]

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!

[THastings @ Jul 6th 2009 12:41PM]

I bought three.
*choke*
HAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAAAAAHHHAHAHAH.... *GAAASSP*

man I'm a terrible liar.

[Ashish @ Jul 6th 2009 12:43PM]

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.

[Vic @ Jul 6th 2009 12:51PM]

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.

[meikaat @ Jul 8th 2009 11:42AM]

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.

[UnixSystemsEngineer @ Jul 6th 2009 12:44PM]

"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.

[the4thheat @ Jul 6th 2009 1:58PM]

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.

[Dan @ Jul 6th 2009 12:45PM]

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.

[hank94jp @ Jul 6th 2009 1:01PM]

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.

[common sense @ Jul 6th 2009 1:20PM]

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.

[Level 5 @ Jul 6th 2009 12:46PM]

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.

[Josh @ Jul 6th 2009 12:51PM]

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?

[CHRiS @ Jul 6th 2009 1:25PM]

another dumb-ass who didn't read the article.

[Josh @ Jul 6th 2009 3:45PM]

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.

[Nathan B @ Jul 7th 2009 4:25PM]

@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.

[Josh @ Jul 7th 2009 6:16PM]

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.

[Hey Ya @ Jul 6th 2009 12:51PM]

There is not a single netbook in existence that is worth subsidizing.

[DJ @ Jul 6th 2009 12:55PM]

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.