Integrated 3G Netbook — a Real-world Case

Verizon Gateway netbookSubsidized netbooks with integrated 3G are all the rage these days. It seems every carrier is offering them, and the reaction is mixed. There are some who find the convenience of having 3G connectivity in the netbook to be worth the data plan cost, and others who don’t like having the 3G tied to one device. I am definitely in the latter camp, finding the Verizon MiFi meets my needs while letting me use the 3G with any devices I wish. My step-daughter is getting a subsidized netbook, however, and I have to admit her needs make that the best fit for her.

She lives with her boyfriend and they do not use the web much. Light surfing is as deep as they go, and if not for schoolwork they wouldn’t really need connectivity at all. They’ve done without the web for a long time, but find when they need it they really do need it. They researched the costs for getting connectivity added to their apartment, and the monthly costs were pretty high.

They have their phones on the Verizon network, so they have been researching the subsidized netbooks being offered. The $60 monthly fee for the data plan on a netbook is in line with the costs they would have to shell out for fixed connectivity, and they find it makes sense to have “connectivity to go” for the price. They need to buy a notebook too, nothing heavyweight performance-wise, just a simple netbook meets their needs.

They did their homework on the situation nicely, and have determined that the Gateway netbook that Verizon is offering with a data plan subsidy more than meets their needs. The netbook will only cost them $99 with the subsidy, and the data plan gets them web connectivity which is the real objective. I have to admit they’ve researched it well, and this path is a very good one for them that meets their needs.

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