Sprint all set to offer Compaq 1040DX netbook for 99 cents

This highly subsidized model will be available through Best Buy

Compaq Mini 110c-1040DX netbook subsidized by AT&T, Sprint, and Verizon

  Now-a-days many mobile operators are bundling netbooks with there services, this scenario creates a win-win situation for both netbook manufacturers and mobile service providers, as the former would benefit from netbook popularity and later would benefit from increased customer base, as users will now be able to grab the netbooks at a subsidized price (just like the cell phones).

In a recent development, Best Buy is said to be offering the Compaq Mini 110c-1040DX netbook at $199.99 with 2-year activation from Verizon/AT&T or the users can obtain the above said model at a price of just $0.99 by signing a 2-year contract with Sprint. The unsubsidized version of this netbook costs $389.99.

The Mini 110c-1040DX, can be picked with either a CDMA EVDO Rev.A module for use with Verizon or Sprint, or an HSDPA module for use with AT&T. Other specifications of the netbook are as follows:

·         1.6GHz Intel Atom N270 processor

·         10.1-inch 1024 x 576 display

·         1GB of RAM

·         160GB hard-drive

Sprint is fully subsidizing this netbook so as to gain market share and to rope in new customers. The service contract with Sprint states that the user would have to pay $60 per month for the services being offered by Sprint. This brings the total figure to $1,440 for 2-years which is actually about $1,000 more than the price of the unsubsidized version of the netbook. Also, Sprint will recover the cost of the netbook in a mere three month period. In a recent, detailed 3G test, Sprint won out as the “most reliable” network, this is sure to encourage users to log onto the Sprint network. In times to come users can expect a wider range of subsidized netbooks to choose from.