RadioShack offers $99 netbook with AT&T data plan
RadioShack is set to sell the Acer Aspire One netbook that generally retails at $349 for just $99 dollars with a 2-year AT&T data plan contract. Will a price point under the $100 mark finally drive you to pick up that netbook you’ve been eying?
The Aspire one wraps a 1600 mh Intel processor with 1GB of SDRAM into a package that’s less that 1.3″ (29 mm) thick. RadioShack opted for a model with a 160GB hard drive, but other versions are available with 8GBs of onboard flash.
Netbooks have been gaining popularity as an ultra-portable and cheaper alternative to full on laptops. With the added battery life that comes with using flash memory and a 3G data plan, you can take the Internet with you virtually anywhere.
Retailers are aggressively cutting on prices on all sorts of gadgets and gizmos this year for fear that the slumping economy will vastly lower demand. RadioShack’s Executive Vice President says, “Helping people stay connected during these challenging economic times illustrates our continued commitment to meeting their personal technology needs affordably.”
This is the first time I’ve seen a retailer subsidize a netbook in partnership with a mobile provider – a model that we’re all accustomed to for buying mobile phones. It wouldn’t be surprising to see other retailers striking deals with their mobile network partners to lower the cost of entry for the technology.
The question remains whether consumers are willing to sign up for a 2-year data plan that starts at $60 per month. Would you be willing to sign a data plan agreement to get your hands on a $99 netbook?
Acer Aspire One from RadioShack specs:
- 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 (other colors are available, but not for this promotion)
- 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)
Related Posts:
December 12th, 2008
This is like those AOL and Prodigy offerings where you got a craptastic PC with a $50 a month 2 year plan.
December 12th, 2008
$60 a month with 5 GB limit cap is not worth it, $99 laptop or no $99 laptop.
December 12th, 2008
Retail Price quoted in story not right. This unit retails at 499.99 not 349. Still ends up 99.99
December 16th, 2008
Ralph hit the nail right on the head. Why on earth should I pay $60/mo for 3G wireless when I’m faced with a 5GB cap? The overage is roughly 0.48/meg!
And white collars wonder why the general cell public is begining to tether via T-mobile or even Boost on an iDEN network.