Comments on: Fuzzy Math — the Data Plan is Separate from the Subsidized Netbook

By: TateJ

TateJ — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:58:41 +0000

If you are signing up for a data just to get the netbook, you have a good point. The netbook is gonna cost you a few grand.

If you need a data plan, why not go with a carrier that will give you a free or reduced cost netbook.

The product is the data plan. The netbook is an incentive.

By: Virtuous

Virtuous — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 22:54:34 +0000

I disagree with the premise of this article. At the very least the cost of early termination fees should be factored in to the cost of subsidized netbooks. Especially in today’s economy people are wary of adding expensive monthly contracts to their expenses. Since I don’t make many phone calls I’m considering ditching my AT&T mobile phone voice and data plan and using an iPhone paired with a Verizon Mifi and Google Voice. I advise people to consider what they’ve committed themselves to when they buy a subsidized mobile phone or netbook. Most people can’t get by without a mobile phone, but can make do without a netbook.

By: Stuart

Stuart — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 02:39:49 +0000

I think some people confuse this with the cellphone subsidies and plans. Which is why I prefer unlocked cellphones so that you can put any sim in the phones that i have and it will work. I have multiple laptops with internal 3g modems and i just do the sim swap when i need to use it. I have even put a data sim in a phone and been able to use it also. (AT&T just charges by the minute for calls but you can add texting plans to it if you like)

I understand the pain about the 5GB limit but since i don’t have that I don’t worry. I was glad to get a data plan before they were popular and get all-i-can-eat so I eat all I want with it and don’t worry.

By: blip

blip — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 21:29:28 +0000

Thank you for that. With our needs becoming more about data and less about phone calls, it’s like someone complaining that you need a plan with your iphone. It’s a service that people pay for, and while expensive, many enjoy having. Though, yes, 10gb a month would be more reasonable.

By: Luscious

Luscious — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 20:47:24 +0000

Or a brand-new notebook with 3G built-in. Those would also qualify, except instead of calling in to activate service, you would call in to register your new device on your existing plan.

I still say the 5GB cap sucks, especially with a MiFi, but buying separate plans for each device is at least no longer necessary with something like that.

By: GeoffreyM

GeoffreyM — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 20:42:59 +0000

Finally, someone calling it like it is. Those comments calling a netbook a $2000 device just work my nerves.

By: James Kendrick

James Kendrick — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 20:36:13 +0000

Agreed, but then you can get a sweet USB modem like we’ve both used and plug it into anything. :)

By: Kevin C. Tofel

Kevin C. Tofel — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 20:31:49 +0000

All good points as the data plans (these days) tack on $1,440 or more over the two year commitment.

“What most fuzzy mathematicians fail to note is that carriers will let you move the data plan to any other device, even if you bought a netbook from them. You can move the plan to a “full” notebook down the road if you decide the netbook is too restrictive.”

Very true, but worth noting so that people don’t misunderstand: while you *can* move the data plan to a new device, but you’re not likely to get said new device at any sort of a subsidized discount. You got the subsidy on the first device in the contract, so don’t forget this very important point as you’ll likely pay full price for the new device.

By: TateJ

TateJ — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 20:09:43 +0000

Thank you James. I agree 100%