Just Say No to Subsidized Netbooks (Sprint-Dell Offer): Say Yes to MiFi

Yet another cell phone company subsidized netbook that makes absolutely no sense at all…

Sprint Offers Ultra-Mobile, Ultra-Affordable Computing with Dell Inspiron Mini 10 Powered by America’s Most Dependable 3G Network

At $199.99 AFTER a mail-in $100 rebate, a person might save $100 of the purchase of his netbook. But, wait! Someone buying this netbook through this “deal” will be on the hook to pay $1,440 over the next two years after being locked into a 3G contract. This netbook will be four generations old by the end of its two-year contract.

Here’s a better idea: Buy a netbook or notebook from anyone you like and get a Sprint MiFi. You will still pay $1,440 over the next two years. But, you can use any WiFi device you choose over that period. In fact, you can use any five of them at the same time using the MiFi 3G/WiFi router. Sprint doesn’t get cheated out of your subscription and you don’t get stuck with a netbook you don’t want 6 months from now.

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