RSSIs there a subsidized netbook in your future?
By Jacqueline Emigh | Published September 5, 2008, 1:03 PM
True to words spoken by Dell CEO Michael Dell last week, Dell's newly launched Inspiron Mini 9 will soon be bundled with Vodafone's mobile broadband services in parts of Europe. Could a certain US wireless carrier be next?
Retail availability through Vodafone "in key European markets" of Dell's Inspiron Mini 9 -- launched just yesterday -- is scheduled for late September, according to a statement from the two new partners. The Minis will be sold through Vodafone's online sales outlets and brick-and-mortar stores, and will be bundled with mobile broadband.
The deal echoes earlier predictions -- though not too much earlier -- by CEO Michael Dell at the Citigroup Technology Conference last week, saying that telcos might start subsidizing ultra-portable PCs and netbooks, much as they already help to pay for cell phones. Mr. Dell said he expects netbooks will ultimately be resold by wireless carriers along with 3G services.
The Windows XP Home Edition of Dell's first Mini device is already available direct from Dell in the US, Canada, and Japan, as well as in some European countries, with an Ubuntu Linux version slated to follow.
With the new Mini 9, Dell is stepping into the netbook market later than competitors such as Acer and HP, though it now appears as though negotiations with telcos for subsidized resale could be one big reason why.
Will the industry now see any similar deals by Dell in the US market? If so, Verizon Wireless -- which is co-owned by Vodafone and US telco Verizon -- might be one likely candidate.
In a separate price promotion from Dell, through 6:00 am on September 9, US customers can get the Mini 9 -- which otherwise lists starting at $399 for the Windows-based edition -- direct from Dell for only $99 if they also purchase a Studio 15, XPS M1530, or XPS M1330 laptop.
I don't think I will ever understand why anyone would want one of these.
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|Maybe not everyone is as rich as you are...? [rolleyes] You consumerists sure are clueless. Just like any other religious nut.
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|My parents take their laptop with them every time they go somewhere. They only do 3 things with it: 1) Connect to their work machine via Remote Desktop, 2) Surf the web (Email, Maps, etc) and 3) Download pictures from their digital camera to the laptop.
Now given that the best deals I've seen for Dell laptops are in the range of $500 and this thing starts at $350, why wouldn't they prefer this unit (were the option available)?
Not all of us want to surf the web on our phones, we just want to be able to access it when we aren't at home.
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|It's the best thing since sliced bread.
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|So he is a religious consumerist because he does not want a netbook? You truly are daft.
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|You can get a decent laptop, fully featured, for damn near that price.
Lower if used.
Perhaps you were thinking of something else?
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|You really should learn how to read. He said that he doesn't understand why ANYONE would want one... Retard.
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|Sliced bread is over-rated. ;)
...now get off my lawn!
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|Read the article. It may subsidize them like they do cell phones.
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|Yeah, when they can eat cake instead..... [rolleyes]
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|Mobility is a huge selling point for this particular unit.
And who wants a used laptop? Even the new ones are out of date by the time they arrive at your door.
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|WTF, you waited in the line for the bread?
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|Is that her name?
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|"may"
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|Really?
Out of date?
You mean that D630 I got last year is out of date?
Even though it runs Vista and does everything I need it to do?
Really?
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|Jealous much?
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|Should I now? Wouldn't that put me on the same level as bitter mental irregulars such as yourself?
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|Ha! What's there to be jealous of, loser.
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|You should take out another loan to afford the picket fence. But don't make the feds take my tax money to bail you out of bad debt.
Anyway, seriously - I love these things. Is so small can go anywhere, is tough with SSD and tethers to my cell with the click of a button (who needs a built in cell modem anyway..?).
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|It worked with cell phones.
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|You really should stay on your meds. Talking about yourself in the third person is a sign of serious mental illness. Retard.
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|And netbook is really all many need as well.
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|With the way America is going now breadlines stand to become very common.... Better for you to get use to them. That is if you get 4 more years of Reaganism under McCain this time.....
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|I'm not sure PC_Tool gets the irony in his statement. ;)
He made my point for me.
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