AT&T subsidizes your choice of identical netbooks

Via 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.