Unsatisfactory netbooks:
Apple to the rescue?
Quote:
Apple to Release Subsidized Tablet Through Verizon Later This Year?
The Street's Scott Moritz reports that Apple is planning to release its long-rumored tablet computer "in time for the holidays" later this year. While Apple is reportedly still deciding on a sales model for the new device, Moritz's source reports that initial plans include subsidies from Verizon in order to lock in users for multi-year wireless data contracts while bringing down the upfront cost to consumers for the device, which is expected to carry a premium price tag.
Moritz's report of a premium price tag echoes comments made as recently as yesterday by Apple executives claiming that Apple can not deliver a netbook or low-end notebook at the $399 or $499 price point currently offered by others that still maintains a satisfactory user experience. Apple's tablet has been seen by many as Apple's revolutionary answer to those usability issues, and the Verizon subsidy is seen as a mechanism to address the upfront cost issue. The subsidy would almost certainly have to be considerably smaller than those seen for smartphones, however, as data-only wireless plans do not command the same monthly fees as the combined voice-and-data plans used on the iPhone.
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...and before anyone jumps up and down over a monthly contract fee... unlimited data plans in the US run at about $20/mo, and $30/mo in Canada.
You have to pay that much nowadays, if you want to add mobile data to an existing netbook (usb mobile data stick with monthly contract), so there should be no concerns with doing it on an Apple netbook. For those of you who are more than happy to save your $20-$30 and do without internet access while you're in between wifi hotspots, I'm sure there will also be a non-subsidized pricepoint.
(if this rumour is even accurate)