iPad cheaper than most 3G netbooks + Contract

[nick9191]

iPad: $629 for 3G model + $30 a month = $1349 over two years. Bare in mind there is no contract, you can cancel any time.

AT&T HP Mini: $199 + $60 monthly = $1639 2 year contract

AT&T Acer: $149 + $60 = $1589 2 year contract

Verizon HP Mini: $99 + $60 = $1539 2 year contract

Sprint any: $0.99 + $60 = $1440 2 year contract

 

[flopticalcube]

An unlocked 3G USB stick is $100. That and a $300 netbook is substantially cheaper than even the cheapest iPad.

 

[miles01110]

Multitasking: priceless.

 

[BaldiMac]

An unlocked 3G USB stick is $100. That and a $300 netbook is substantially cheaper than even the cheapest iPad.

How much is the monthly service charge?

 

[samcraig]

How much is the monthly service charge?

http://www.virginmobileusa.com/mobile-broadband

And no contract. Granted - not unlimited in data - but for many the $20 a month is plenty. $5 more than ATT for the ipad. But total cost of ownership is a tad less I think with the netbook.

But really - who cares either way. If you want a netbook, get one. If you want an iPad get one.


PRICE1 EXPIRES MEGABYTES USE IT FOR2
$10 10 Days 100 MB 5 hrs Web Browsing Or 25 minutes
Video Or 10,000 Emails
$20 30 Days 250 MB 12 hrs Web Browsing Or 1 hour Video
Or 25,000 Emails
$40 30 Days 600 MB 30 hrs Web Browsing Or 2 1/2 hours
Video Or 60,000 Emails
$60 30 Days 1 GB 50 hrs Web Browsing Or 4 hours Video
Or 100,000 Emails

 

[Drumjim85]

http://www.virginmobileusa.com/mobile-broadband
PRICE1 EXPIRES MEGABYTES USE IT FOR2
$10 10 Days 100 MB 5 hrs Web Browsing Or 25 minutes
Video Or 10,000 Emails
$20 30 Days 250 MB 12 hrs Web Browsing Or 1 hour Video
Or 25,000 Emails
$40 30 Days 600 MB 30 hrs Web Browsing Or 2 1/2 hours
Video Or 60,000 Emails
$60 30 Days 1 GB 50 hrs Web Browsing Or 4 hours Video
Or 100,000 Emails

Doesn't really compete with ATT's deal.

 

[BaldiMac]

http://www.virginmobileusa.com/mobile-broadband

And no contract. Granted - not unlimited in data - but for many the $20 a month is plenty. $5 more than ATT for the ipad. But total cost of ownership is a tad less I think with the netbook.

But really - who cares either way. If you want a netbook, get one. If you want an iPad get one.


PRICE1 EXPIRES MEGABYTES USE IT FOR2
$10 10 Days 100 MB 5 hrs Web Browsing Or 25 minutes
Video Or 10,000 Emails
$20 30 Days 250 MB 12 hrs Web Browsing Or 1 hour Video
Or 25,000 Emails
$40 30 Days 600 MB 30 hrs Web Browsing Or 2 1/2 hours
Video Or 60,000 Emails
$60 30 Days 1 GB 50 hrs Web Browsing Or 4 hours Video
Or 100,000 Emails

So you save about $120 on the netbook + dongle with the 250 MB plan over two years. But the iPad is $500 cheaper if you are going to use more than 600 MB per month.

 

[samcraig]

So you save about $120 on the netbook + dongle with the 250 MB plan over two years. But the iPad is tremendously cheaper if you are going to use more than 600 MB per month.

I wasn't arguing for or against. Ultimately - it's up to the user to decide what's best for them based on usage. Do they want a netbook and all it offers. Do they want an iPad. How much data do they intend on using. At least there are options!

 

[BaldiMac]

I wasn't arguing for or against. Ultimately - it's up to the user to decide what's best for them based on usage. Do they want a netbook and all it offers. Do they want an iPad. How much data do they intend on using. At least there are options!

Either was I. And I actually think the scale will tilt rather quickly towards netbooks as the networks respond to AT&T iPad data plan. I doubt the service price advantage will last very long.

As you said, whether you want an iPad or a netbook is going to be a much more important factor than the service cost over two years.

 

[samcraig]

Either was I. And I actually think the scale will tilt rather quickly towards netbooks as the networks respond to AT&T iPad data plan. I doubt the service price advantage will last very long.

As you said, whether you want an iPad or a netbook is going to be a much more important factor than the service cost over two years.

One might consider in the "plus" category that by going with a netbook/pre-paid 3G card that you aren't tied to one device with access. You can move the 3G card to any computer/notebook/netbook at whim.

 

[flopticalcube]

One might consider in the "plus" category that by going with a netbook/pre-paid 3G card that you aren't tied to one device with access. You can move the 3G card to any computer/notebook/netbook at whim.

Or tether it to your cell phone, if you wish.

 

[cmaier]

Either was I. And I actually think the scale will tilt rather quickly towards netbooks as the networks respond to AT&T iPad data plan. I doubt the service price advantage will last very long.

Maybe. Apple has the advantage of being able to prevent "data hogging" apps from being run. The $30 plan may have been extracted by promising to continue their (annoying) policy of preventing software from running on the iPad if it is likely to cause "too much" data use.

In short it's a lot easier to slurp up bytes with a netbook than with an iPad.