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Dell offers mini-notebook for $99
Dell hasn’t rolled out a smart phone yet, but it’s working with a wireless carrier to subsidize one of its small laptops instead.
The company said today it will sell one of its mini-notebook computers for $99 — after a $350 mail-in rebate and the purchase of a two-year wireless broadband contract with AT&T Corp. The offer on the Inspiron Mini 9 runs through the end of the month.
The deal on the Mini 9, which normally starts at $449, will be available only at Dell.com. The computer will come with built-in mobile broadband capability.
Computer makers have rolled out a number of new mini-notebooks, or “netbooks,” over the past year. While the netbooks often sell as a second PC, many analysts and investors worry they could cut into sales of more-expensive and more profitable laptops.
A netbook typically doesn’t have the processing power or storage capacity of a larger model, but are cheaper and easier to take on the go. The increasing use of Web-based storage and software has helped offset the netbooks’ lack of juice.
Comments
By Steven Hughes
January 9, 2009 2:06 PM | Link to this
My iphone is my “netbook”. I call him “little mac” and his big brother is “big mac”.
By Shane Allen
January 9, 2009 2:09 PM | Link to this
Great. I’ve already got a contract with ATT wireless - 2 year contract - can I get one of these for $99? Probably not. Typical.
By Gene
January 9, 2009 2:32 PM | Link to this
Look out people, at min. you’ll pay more then $1,400 in subscription fees for that 2yrs of ATT service. Is it worth it? Judge for yourself.
By Bruce
January 9, 2009 3:06 PM | Link to this
AT&T’s 3G network is not nearly as fast as advertised, AND they often kick over into the slower “Edge” network. Not a good deal.
By Bill
January 9, 2009 3:09 PM | Link to this
How is this news? What’s next, with the Statesman investigate whether great new looks are available at JC Penneys?
By Justin
January 9, 2009 3:27 PM | Link to this
Bill, Dell is headquartered in Round Rock and they employ a lot of people from the area. JC Penny’s is not headquartered in the Austin area. The Statesman is a Central Texas newspaper. Round Rock is in Central Texas. So, based on these simple facts, I believe you’ll find your answer. Were you trying to be smart?
By LloydEwing
January 9, 2009 6:00 PM | Link to this
The headline to this story is just as dishonest as the cell phone marketing that advertizes free phones. It would be nice if our newspaper had more integrity that those slimy cell phone companies.
By Doesn't name electronics
January 10, 2009 8:04 PM | Link to this
I have an iPhone that is not named, but it’s not the same as a netbook. A netbook offers a lot more options than a smartphone. My netbook copies and pastes!
By ekimlled
January 11, 2009 9:57 AM | Link to this
Same Dell crap, only smaller.
yippie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By wax
February 12, 2009 6:12 AM | Link to this
What I haven’t figured out (yet) is if there’s an ETF regarding AT&T’s data service that’s part of this deal. If their 3G coverage is wack and you want out, are you on the hook for terminating the service before (2) the year agreement ends?
$60 a month for accessing the net ONLY on that device and only on their network seems a bit scary and well, probably not worth it (in the long run)
By ZaKk
February 22, 2009 12:46 AM | Link to this
Nice, like who cares i just recently built my system, which is a quad core PhoN\Venom 3.0 Ghz with 16 megs of ram, and a 3800 X2 Radeon graphics card all under 400 ? Who gives a s**, a guy who lives in Brenham,tx. :p
I used to live in Austin but everyone was too nerdy for me. LoL… peace….
By ZaKk
February 22, 2009 12:51 AM | Link to this
Thats 4 gigs of ram btw Go check out bullock Blvd and make a right i dare ya!
By Sunflower
February 25, 2009 12:54 PM | Link to this
…So I can only get Windows XP on the one with the special, and not Ubuntu?!
Not worth it, IMHO.
By jeff
March 9, 2009 1:12 PM | Link to this
anyone that names their computers “little mac” and “big mac” has got to be just weird…I’ve never heard of that…A computer is a frickin inanimate object, much like a toaster or a tv…Naming a PC…My advice, get a life, dude…
By Aliksa Andrike
April 15, 2009 11:48 PM | Link to this
I have been one of the Dell computer user for quite a long time, and I am still, and I like them very much. Now hearing about this mini lab top Dell computer, and the price makes me more interested, and would like to have one as soon as possible. Thank you very much.
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By carlopietro
October 27, 2009 9:21 AM | Link to this
this is not for the guy who drives from work to home every day. It would work better for people with long mass transit commutes, like the van pool from Bastrop. Or if you are a medical sales person who spends hours a day in the waiting room waiting for a doctor to have a chance to talk to you. You can make down time more productive. But if you have no down time then it is not worth the wireless charges.