AT&T to Offer Netbooks Starting at $50

Obviously, computing isn't just for computer makers anymore. According to a short article on consumerreports.org, AT&T will be offering netbooks starting at $50. The netbook will include an integrated wireless card, and the early rollouts will start in Philadelphia and Atlanta. Obviously, there is a catch. To get the great price one will have to sign up for a data plan. No information has been released by AT&T concerning the available data plans for the netbooks. AT&T has not shared any system specifications for the netbook.

Netbooks are defined in the marketplace as a stripped down portable computer used primarily by internet surfers and for emailing. The netbook relies heavily on online applications. Most run a Windows XP Operating System(OS) rather than the resource intensive Windows Vista OS. Netbooks usually weigh between 2 and 3 pounds and are priced significantly lower than basic laptops. According to Wikipedia, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, a professional services company that undertakes consulting for a variety of companies, defines a netbook as. "a notebook computer with a low-powered x86-compatible processor (compatible with PC standard software), small screen (no larger than 10 inches), small keyboard, equipped with wireless connectivity, lightweight (under three pounds) and no optical disk drive."

AT&T also offers Mini Laptops starting at around $99.99. While netbooks and mini laptops look similar, a mini laptop or subnotebook is just a smaller version of a full capacity laptop. While mini laptops are usually lighter than full sized laptops, they tend to include a full complement of applications and OEM software. OEM or Original Equipment Manufacturer software is normally what comes with the computer when it is shipped from the factory. When computers arrive at their retail channel, software or applications can added or stripped away to comply with custom system requirements. AT&T does list the two data plans that are offered with their mini laptops. The assumption is that their netbook data plans will be comparable.

It appears that AT&T is also looking to take a bite out of the Kindle e-book reader's market share. Kindle is a wireless reader developed by Amazon.com's Lab 126. It is available for purchase from Amazon.com. AT&T is not the only company entering the e-book fray. Verizon Wireless CEO Lowell Adams, at the CTIA Wireless Conference in Las, Vegas shared with the attendees that Verizon has "four or five" e-book readers in the Verizon labs.

The Kindle has an obvious advantage over anyone entering the e-book market, as Kindle has a library of 250,000 Amazon titles at their reader's disposal. Any one looking to divest Kindle of market share is going to have to amass a better library.

Kindle's closest competitor in the current e-book market is the Sony reader which offers about 100,000 titles for download. The Sony reader has some drawbacks. Compared to the Kindle reader, it offers woefully slow downloads. Kindle employs what's called "whisper "technology which allows readers to download books in less than 30 seconds. Amazon's Kindle is also wireless which gives users quick access to their books. Sony users have to connect to their computer and log onto another site to buy books and then begin the download. For Verizon and AT&T and any others eying the e-book market, overcoming Kindle's lead in the marketplace is not going to be easy.

This competition in the technology marketplace can only bode good news for the consumer by offering a larger array of choices and hopefully lower prices.

Sources:

http://www.wireless.att.com/cell-phone-service/specials/mini-laptops.jsp

http://blogs.consumerreports.org/electronics/2009/04/att-plans-netbooks-talks-ebooks.html

http://www.fastcompany.com/blog/david-lidsky/week-lidsky/ifive

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Netbooks

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-cotown-ebooks19-2009mar19,0,6445634.story?