RadioShack Offers Acer Aspire one for $99
You can now pick up the Acer Aspire One netbook for just $99.99 from RadioShack. If you’re thinking this sounds too good to be true, you’re right: There’s a catch. Namely, you’ll have to sign up for a lengthy and expensive service contract with AT&T. But hey, if you were going to buy that contract anyway, you might as well enjoy a subsidy on the netbook.
Even though the total package deal is pretty pricy for the average consumer, there are plenty of businesses that see the value in paying for an employee to have high-speed, cellular Internet access at all times. With a subsidized offering such as this from RadioShack, the deal may get a little sweeter in that employees will have an easier time justifying the new device to their boss.
RadioShack, in collaboration with Acer and AT&T, will offer the Acer Aspire one netbook starting December 14. To get the deal, you’ll have to sign up for a qualifying two-year AT&T DataConnect mobile broadband service agreement. Plans start at $60 a month. Once you’ve activated your account, the netbook will provide high-speed Internet access anywhere within AT&T’s wireless network. The netbook isn’t limited to cellular Internet; it also has integrated Wi-Fi.
Acer’s Aspire one 3G netbook is lightweight (weighing just 2.44 pounds), and has 1GB of memory, a 160GB hard drive, Intel Atom processor, and runs on Windows XP. Full specs are as follows:
It’s possible this is the first step towards a trend of subsidized connected notebooks, which could be a welcomed offering to many who already subscribe to mobile data services. All in all, if you’re in the market for a new portable unit, want a 3G modem, and are willing to pay for the $60 or so monthly plan, then the Aspire One is definitely worth consideration.
