While I think the subsidized netbook concept appeals to a niche market at best, Verizon seems interested in increasing their marketshare, as they're reportedly planning to launch a second netbook on October 4th. As an alternative to the HP currently for sale in stores, the Gateway LT2016U offers a 10.1-inch display, Intel Atom N270 1.6 GHz processor, 1 GB RAM, 160 GB HD, Wi-Fi, a webcam, Windows XP Home Edition, and a built-in Verizon 3G mobile broadband card. Pricing appears to be set for $149.99 after a $100 mail-in rebate and new two-year agreement.
That being said, I'd like to hear your input on the subsidized netbook concept; is it a smart one, or do you prefer to stick with aircards, as I do? Since my job requires me to work from a computer, I find netbooks to be a bit too small for everyday use, but I need the portability that mobile broadband offers (for working in airports, coffee shops, and the like). So, while the aircard option works best for me, I can see netbooks working well for those that occasionally need to check their e-mail and favorite webpages, though $59.99 per month is quite the lofty fee for occasional internet usage. What say you?
Source: PhoneArena