AT&T subsidizes your choice of identical netbooks

Posted by | 11/16/2009 | 0 Comments

ATTNetbookselectionVia jkOnTheRun, I learned that AT&T is updating their selection of subsidized netbooks with the Acer Aspire One and Samsung Go running Windows 7. Sounds good. Broader selection is always a win for consumers, right? Sure would be… if there were any discernible distinctions between the netbooks they offer.

Currently, AT&T offers the the Dell Mini 10, Lenovo S10, and Acer Aspire One. Each features the following: 10.1″ screen, Intel Atom processor, 1GB memory, 160GB hard drive, webcam, wifi, 3G, and Windows XP. The only real difference with the two new additions is Windows 7.

There are, of course, differences in the designs and pre-installed software, but you’d never know that from looking at the “selection” on the AT&T site. What differences they do report are just variations on the same features (different processor speed, camera resolution, etc.). I don’t know why they even bother showing a different photo for each one.

Granted, this configuration is becoming the standard, but a selection with so little variation between the options (no choices for screen sizes, SSD, Linux, etc.) isn’t much of a selection. At the very least, the minor variations between them should be spelled out and emphasized. As it is now, to the average consumer, this is like offering vanilla, vanilla bean and French vanilla as your different flavors of ice cream and not explaining the differences.

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Category: Editorials

About the Author (Author Profile)

My name is Mark Sumimoto; I am Sumocat. I dabble in all areas of mobile computing, but my focus is Windows-based Tablet PCs and pen input. They’ve been part of my arsenal since 2004, and I’m proud to have pioneered the field of ink blogging, earning a spot as a Microsoft MVP for Touch and Tablets in the process. My current tools include a Fujitsu Lifebook T900, TEGA v2, and iPhone 4. Email me: sumocat [at] notebooks.com

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