Things to Consider when Getting Wireless Service
Is signing up for wireless service to get a netbook the smart move? I always tell people to keep in mind that when getting a netbook from a wireless carrier, they have to think about what they really want: a netbook or a subsidy? Because if you just want a netbook, buying one from a wireless carrier WILL knock of $100 to $200 from the normal price of a netbook upfront, but it will cost you up tp $60 or over per month for the next two years (at least $1440, because you might exceed your monthly allocation, in which case you have to pay additional charges).
This site is full of netbook options for every kind of price range for every type of use. I’m sure you can find your PERFECT netbook within our pages, fitting your budget and your need. Without a subsidy, you may have to shell at least $300 to get a decent netbook, but that’s $300 on one go. You may want to get peripherals and upgrades and accessories, but if unless you start with a Sony Vaio P (currently $745.25 from Amazon), you won’t shell out $1440 for your machine.
I guess signing up for a 2-year contract with a wireless carrier is only the best, great, super and awesome for someone who absolutely wants wireless service in the first place. Verizon, AT&T and Sprint are offering a number of netbooks at discounted prices. So if you’ve made up your mind to get a wireless service anyway, you may want to scout the following carriers for the best deal.
AT&T Netbook Packages
AT&T is offering the Acer Aspire One, Lenovo S-10, and Dell Mini 10 in Online Only packages. The netbooks cost only a fraction of their list prices.
I’m not sure which Acer Aspire One netbook comes with the AT&T package but an Acer Aspire One from Amazon costs $318.99 up. You can get it for $149.99 (plus charges) from AT&T.
You can get a Lenovo S10 from Amazon for as low as $304.94. AT&T has is for $99.99.
A Dell Mini 10 is $329.99 from Amazon, and is $144.99 from AT&T.
Netbooks from Verizon Wireless
Like AT&T, Verizon is a also offering three different netbooks with their data plans. The Gateway LT which is $289.99 up from Amazon, the HP Mini 10, and the HP Mini 311 ($399.99).
You can choose between the $39.99, 250MB/mo plan or the $59.99, 5GB/mo plan. Keep in mind that, depending on the usage, you can eat up your 250MB in less than a week, and if you do, you have to pay $0.10 per MB after using your monthly allowance up. A 5GB plan is better and will keep longer. And if you go over the limit, you only have to pay $0.05 per MB. At the end of the day, you still will pay $60/mo more or less.
If you’re interested, we’ve reviewed the HP Mini 311 from Verizon from here.
Sprint
Sprint is offering the Dell Mini 10 in some Sprint stores for $199.99 (after $100 mail-in rebate) with an in-store activation and 2-year contract until January 9th, 2010.
To have a better idea of how much date 5GB is, you can check out this nefty chart that Sprint has, showing just how much you can do with a 5GB plan.
Just go with what’s best for you and enjoy your new netbook, with or without the service ;)
Related posts:
- Verizon Subsidizes Gateway Netbook with 3G Service
- AT&T To Offer US-wide Netbook Subsidy
- $0.99 Netbook from Sprint
- Hurry! Get $200 off your Vaio P with Verizon Wireless
- Toshiba NB205 Available with Subsidy from AT&T, Verizon, Sprint
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