Sprint offers subsidized Dell netbook

Sprint-Nextel announced its first netbook offering today, a Dell Inspiron Mini 10 bundled with a two-year 5GB monthly data plan. Subscribers must sign up for the contract to obtain a lower price tag on the device.

Although it initially seems appealing to sign up for a lower-priced netbook, the Sprint offering may prove to be rather lackluster in regards to overall appeal.  Through Sprint, the Dell Inspiron Mini is available for $199.99 -- after a $100 mail-in-rebate. The deal requires owners to sign up for the 5GB monthly data plan at $59.99 per month.

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dell-inspiron-mini-10-netbookThe device will be able to utilize Sprint's 3G EV-DO Rev A network -- with download speeds ranging between 600Kbit/s and 1.4Mb/s, with an average upload speed of 350Kbit/s to 500Kbit/s. The netbook comes loaded with an Intel Atom Processor, 160GB HDD, and a 1.3-megapixel camera.  The device is just 1.1 inches thick and weighs only 2.6 pounds total.

It will be available in the San Francisco Bay Area, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Phoenix, Baltimore and Indianapolis.

Mobile wireless providers have tried to begin tapping into the netbook craze by offering wireless data service to owners who choose to purchase a subsidized device.  The wireless business is absolutely essential for Sprint, as the company continues to lose regular subscribers who are joining AT&T and Verizon Wireless.

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Unless you have an absolute need for Sprint's mobile service, then skipping this "deal" might be a wise move.  This first offering seems to be an initial market test by Sprint, who is competing with AT&T, VZW, and others that are now testing netbooks with mobile data plans.  The company doesn't have any additional netbook products in the pipeline, but it may adjust depending on customer demand for its Dell Inspiron Mini 10.

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