Taking a leaf out of the mobile phone handbook, Dell and
Vodafone will offer the computer maker's compact netbook computer
for $0 upfront on a mobile broadband plan.
The Dell Mini 9 weighs just over 1kg and, with a small 8.9-inch
screen, sits somewhere between a regular laptop and a smartphone.
It's pitched at those who don't want to carry a chunky computer in
their bag but need the ability to access web tools like Facebook
and email when on the road.
From early next month, Vodafone will sell the Mini 9 on a $70 a
month plan with a 5GB monthly data allowance and no upfront cost.
The laptop includes a built-in 3G modem - a first in the
flourishing netbook market that was pioneered by the Asus EEE
PC.
The move makes it easier for users to stay connected wherever
they are, without having to seek out a wireless hotspot or purchase
a clunky USB wireless broadband dongle.
"This is exactly what we brought this product market for," said
Evan Williams, Dell's consumer sales and marketing manager for
Australia and New Zealand.
"This really is going to open up freedom to consumers to get out
there and roam, be anywhere and be connected with a relatively
large screen ... and do all those things they like doing on the
internet."
Williams noted that wireless hotspot coverage in Australia was
lacklustre, making it difficult for people to stay connected if
they don't have a 3G wireless broadband plan.
Edward Goff, Vodafone's general manager of consumer markets,
said the product was not designed for "heavyweight laptop usage"
but short spurts of internet access on the go.
"It does a lot more than a smartphone and it sits nicely between
a smartphone and a laptop - so this is a lightweight, convenient,
smaller PC/laptop that allows a customer complete flexibility to
get on the web and use email and Facebook," he said.
Without the plan, the Mini 9 sells for $549.
Telstra was the first telco to launch $0 upfront laptop
promotions in May, but, unlike the Vodafone/Dell deal, those plans
were pitched exclusively at business users.
The Telstra plans were also more significantly more expensive at
$99 a month on a 36 month contract with a paltry 1GB a month data
allowance.
A Telstra spokesman said the plans had already been pulled from
the market.
-Asher Moses