And the subsidization of 3G-equipped netbooks starts to slowly take shape here in the US.
Starting Sunday, RadioShack will be selling the Acer Aspire One for $99 with a two-year contract from AT&T at $60 per month for 5GB of high speed data.
If $60 sounds like a lot to be paying for 5GB of wireless data each month, it is (if you ask me). Maybe you could wait for future offerings with carriers other than AT&T, right? Wrong. It’s $60 for 5GB of 3G/EVDO data across the board whether you go with AT&T, Verizon, or Sprint unless you go with Verizon’s $39.99/month plan, which gives you a whopping 50MB of data.
My personal suspicions about price-fixing aside, if you’re a potential candidate for the Acer deal, you’ll get an Aspire One with an 8.9-inch screen, 160GB hard drive, 1GB memory, XP Home, built-in 3G, and a travel weight of 2.44 pounds. You’d save around $300 on the computer up-front, so you’ve got that going for you. Maybe someday you’ll be able to get one for free with a two-year contract, eh?
Full press release:
RadioShack Introduces 3G Netbook Utilizing AT&T’s Mobile Broadband Service to Help People Stay Connected
Innovative portable notebook technology for $99.99 when combined with qualifying AT&T mobile broadband service
FORT WORTH, Texas, Dec. 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Starting Dec. 14, RadioShack Corporation (NYSE: RSH) becomes the first major U.S. retailer to offer an ultra-lightweight, mobile netbook Internet device with integrated 3G wireless technology. Netbooks, designed to fulfill people’s growing needs for mobile access to Internet applications, are widely expected to be a hot growth area for the computer industry. The unique combination of technologies created for this launch to help people stay connected enhances RadioShack’s reputation for offering innovative solutions at affordable prices.
The Acer Aspire one netbook is priced at $99.99 for customers who sign up for a qualifying two-year AT&T DataConnect mobile broadband service agreement with plans starting at $60 a month. Once activated, this netbook allows people to easily access the Internet anywhere within AT&T’s wireless network. The offer is available in 4,400 RadioShack company-operated stores through Dec. 24. Prices may vary outside the continental U.S. See stores or visit http://www.RadioShack.com for complete offer details.
"Many people internationally are already enjoying the portability, on-the-go connectivity and affordability of this emerging new technology," said Peter Whitsett, RadioShack’s executive vice president – merchandising. "We are proud to introduce this concept in the U.S. by offering a netbook with integrated 3G functionality in addition to full Wi-Fi capability.
"RadioShack is offering this innovative technology solution at a very attractive price through our collaboration with Acer and AT&T," he continued. "Helping people stay connected during these challenging economic times illustrates our continued commitment to meeting their personal technology needs affordably."
The lightweight, 2.44-pound netbook includes 1GB memory, 160GB hard drive, built-in memory card readers and Windows XP software that supports the portable connectivity needs of commuters, students, travellers and mobile professionals. This allows everyone to keep in touch via email, participate in social networking sites such as Facebook or Twitter, use the built-in Web cam and crystal-clear LCD screen for video conferencing with family, friends and business associates, conduct online research, and a host of other online functions.
The Acer Aspire one 3G netbook comes equipped with the following features:
– Weighs 2.44 pounds
– Ultra-compact size measuring 9.8" x 6.7" x 1.1" (W x D x H)
– Stylish piano-black finish
– Built-in 3G capability
– 802.11b/g wireless (Wi-Fi)
– 8.9-inch LCD screen
– Built-in Web cam
– Intel(R) Atom(TM) processor
– Windows XP(R) Home
– 1GB memory
– 160GB hard drive
– Built-in memory card readers (dedicated SD and 5-in-1)