Dell Mini 9 Now With Optional AT&T 3G

[Timothy Huber]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/25/dell-mini-9-gets-built-in-atandt-3g-option/' target='_blank'>http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/25/...andt-3g-option/</a><br /><br /></div><p><em>"It's never been much of a secret that the Dell Mini 9 has been 3G-ready from day one, and Vodafone customers have been able to get a 3G-equipped model direct from the carrier for a little while now, but it looks like folks in the US can now finally get in on the mobile broadband action as well, with a built-in 3G option now configurable on Dell's site. Unfortunately, anyone that already took the plunge on a Mini 9 is out of luck, as the $125 upgrade is only available new orders (and only available on Windows XP-equipped models). If that doesn't preclude you, however, you can also expect to get a $120 rebate if you're willing to sign a two-year contract for AT&amp;T's DataConnect service, although it looks like you'll also have to put up with a delay in your ship date at the moment."</em></p><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/dht/auto/1227727489.usr147.jpg" /></p><p>The beauty of the cellular networks is their pervasive data connectivity. It's a perfect fit for a device like the Dell Mini 9; without data connectivity its usefulness would be subtantially reduced.&nbsp; But it will cost you: if you're willing to pony up $60 per month, AT&amp;T will provide that service in the US.&nbsp; And if you're willing to commit to two years AT&amp;T will rebate you most of the cost of the modem.&nbsp;Personally, I can't see using the service enough to justify the cost, but what do you think?</p>

[alanjrobertson]

Personally I prefer having my mobile broadband access as part of my mobile phone contract rather than a separate one. It costs me an extra £12.50/month to add "web'n'walk plus" to my T-Mobile contract, bringing my total to £32.50/mo for 3Gb data (at 3.6Mbps HSDPA speed), and a mix of a few hundred minutes/SMS/MMS and free T-Mobile hotspot access (with 300 min roaming/mo onto BT Openzone WiFi). I like being able to access internet on my phone for no additional cost and then just using Bluetooth to connect my laptop to the web (or a cable if I want to charge it at the same time!). I've been using it for over a year now and couldn't go back!

Although having 3G capability built straight in to the laptop/netbook is a neat solution I don't think the extra cost would be justified for me.

Cheers

A.

[Jason Dunn]

Although having 3G capability built straight in to the laptop/netbook is a neat solution I don't think the extra cost would be justified for me.

Yeah, I'm the same way - if I could get my laptop on the same data plan as my phone for, say, $5 extra per month, I'd do that. But this whole concept of paying for a completely separate contract is crazy - I mean, I pay for Internet access at home, then on my phone, and now they want me to pay for it on my laptop? No thanks. :rolleyes:

[Lee Yuan Sheng]

That's why you pay for it on your phone and then do a multi-sim thing for a small fee. :P

[alanjrobertson]

Wish that was available here, sadly not :(

[Jason Dunn]

That's why you pay for it on your phone and then do a multi-sim thing for a small fee. :P

Multiple SIMS are not supported by any Canadian GSM carrier AFAIK. :(

[Timothy Huber]

Yeah, I'm the same way - if I could get my laptop on the same data plan as my phone for, say, $5 extra per month, I'd do that. But this whole concept of paying for a completely separate contract is crazy - I mean, I pay for Internet access at home, then on my phone, and now they want me to pay for it on my laptop? No thanks. :rolleyes:

It'll be interesting to see how Sprint's WiMax deployment will impact the other carriers. As I understand it, a WiMax account is not linked to a single device, but can be used across multiple devices. So you could have WiMax on your laptop, your netbook, and your personal media player all running from the same account. It sounds interesting.

Timothy