NetbookTech

AT&T is now offering two new 3G LaptopConnect cards – the LG USBConnect Turbo and the Option USBConnect Velocity.

The LG Turbo is the first LaptopConnect card from LG and features a compact, lightweight design with support for HSPA 7.2 connectivity.  There’s a built-in microSD card slot allowing the Turbo to double as a portable storage device.

The Option Velocity is the first GPS-enabled LaptopConnect 3G device from AT&T allowing you to utilize location-based applications on your laptop. The device comes with the free Option GPS Control Panel software application which leverages location-based sites such as Yahoo! Maps and Bing for directions and points-of-interest.  Like the LG Turbo, the Option Velocity comes with a built-in microSD card slot.

The AT&T USBConnect Turbo will be available for free after a mail-in rebate and a new two year DataConnect contract of at least $35 dollars a month (you’ll pay $99.99 and after a mail-in rebate receive a $100 dollar AT&T Promotion Card).

The AT&T USBConnect Velocity will be available for $29.99 after a mail-in rebate and a new two-year DataConnect contract of at least $35 dollars a month (you’ll pay $129.99 and after a mail-in rebate receive a $100 dollar AT&T Promotion Card).

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Best Buy is now offering the Nokia Booklet 3G for $199.99 along with a new two year AT&T Data Connect mobile broadband plan. If you think the price is still a bit steep, consider the regular starting price of the Booklet 3G which is typically $599.99.

The Booklet 3G features:

• Intel Atom processor Z530 processor
• 1GB RAM
• 10.1 inch 1280 x 720 resolution display
• 120GB SATA 4200 RPM HDD
• HDMI output
• Built-in 1.3 megapixel webcam
• GPS
• SD media card reader
• 3 USB 2.0 ports
• 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi
• Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR
• Windows 7 Starter Edition

Head on over to a Best Buy or Best Buy Mobile location to check out this deal.

AT&T announces two new mobile broadband-enabled netbooks into the mix – the Samsung Go and Acer Aspire One – both of which feature the new Windows 7 OS. The new netbooks will be available for $199 after a mail-in rebate via an AT&T promotion card as well as a new two year DataConnect service contract with AT&T.

The Samsung Go weighs in at around 2.8 pounds and features the Intel Atom N270 processor, 1GB of RAM, a 160GB HDD, a 4 cell battery, 3 USB 2.0 ports, external VGA port, 802.11 b/g Wi-Fi, Ethernet connectivity, 3 in 1 media card reader, 1.3 megapixel camera, and a 10.1 inch 1024 x 600 resolution display. Even better, the Go will come with Windows 7 Starter Edition vs the more common (and older Windows XP Home Edition).

The Acer Aspire One is even lighter than the Go, weighing in at a mere 2.2 pounds. Features include an Intel Atom processor, 160GB HDD, 1GB of RAM, HD audio support, two built-in speakers, three USB 2.0 ports, and a built-in webcam.

AT&T offers two DataConnect plans to choose from for netbook systems – a 200MB plan for $35 dollars per month and a 5GB plan for $60 dollars a month. Customers will also get free use of AT&T’s Wi-Fi service available in more than 200,000 hotspots around the country.  Both netbooks come equipped with AT&T’s Communication Manager (ACM) 7.0 software package to help manage and use their wireless connections.

Although not very surprising, it looks like some Best Buy locations are already stocking the new Nokia Booklet 3G netbook in advance of the November 15th sale date. Best Buy should be taking pre-orders for the Booklet 3G which will go for $299 along with a new two year AT&T Data Connect Plan.

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Ah.. it’s amazing what a little subsidizing will do for a product. Case in point – the upcoming Nokia Booklet 3G netbook. Expected to cost a pretty penny (around €575), Nokia has partnered with AT&T to offer the Booklet 3G at an “introductory price” of $299.99 along with a two-year AT&T Data Connect Plan.

Consumers interested in the Booklet 3G will be able to pick one up at Best Buy locations nationwide or at Best Buy Mobile standalone stores. Best Buy will also be offering their free “Walk Out Working” service where associates will help activate the device with AT&T, walk you through Windows 7, and help you understand all the products and services on the netbook.

Features of the Booklet 3G include:

• Intel Atom Z530 processor clocked at 1.6GHz
• Intel Poulsbo US15W chipset
• 1GB RAM
• 120GB 1.8 inch 4200 RPM HDD
• 10.1 inch 1280 x 720 display
• 12 hours of battery life
• Aluminum chassis
• Weighs less than 2.76 pounds
• Embedded 3G/HSPA connectivity
• Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity
• Integrated A-GPS with Ovi Maps
• Latest version of Ovi Suite
• Slightly more than 2 cm thin
• 1.3 megapixel camera with integrated microphone
• Built-in accelerometer
• SD card reader
• HDMI output

Best Buy expects to begin taking orders for the Booklet 3G online and in stores starting on October 22nd. Units should begin  arriving in the middle of November.

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AT&T expanded their mobile broadband-enabled netbook product lineup today with the introduction of three netbook models – the Acer Aspire One, the Dell Inspiron Mini 10, and the Lenovo S10. All three models will be available for purchase soon online at www.att.com while the Acer Aspire One will be available throughout stores nationwide. The Dell Inspiron Mini 10 and the Lenovo S10 will be available in several stores around the country.

Each netbook will be available for $199.99 after a mail-in rebate (AT&T Promotion Card) and a new two year service contract.

Here’s a quick rundown of specs on the three netbook models.

Acer Aspire One:

• Weighs 2.53 lbs
• Intel Atom processor
• Windows XP Home
• 160GB HDD
• 1GB RAM
• Stereo speakers
• Built-in webcam
• Wi-Fi

Dell Inspiron Mini 10:

• Weighs 2.86 lbs
• Windows XP Home
• 160GB HDD
• 1GB RAM
• Built-in webcam
• Intel GMA graphics
• Wi-Fi

Lenovo IdeaPad S10:

• Measures less than 1 inch thin and weighs 2.63 lbs
• Wi-Fi
• 1GB RAM
• 160GB HDD
• Windows XP Home
• Built-in webcam
• VeriFace facial recognition technology
• Multi-touch touchpad

AT&T also announces three new AT&T ConnecTech services specifically for netbook customers – with prices ranging from $99 dollars for remote online support to $199 for in-home technical support. Check out the AT&T press release for more information.

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Yeah I know.. I’ve been slacking a bit more than usual on the news. Just very busy…

In case you missed this one last week, AT&T formally announced last week a new trial whereby they would offer mini-laptop (netbook) systems at some retail stores in Atlanta and Philadelphia. For Atlanta, AT&T announced:

• Several netbook systems with built-in AT&T 3G wireless broadband support at a promotional price of $49.99 with the purchase of AT&T “Internet At Home and On The Go” broadband services
• Trial 30 minute in-store tech support at select locations who purchase a qualifying data plan
• As part of the same trial in select stores, an “Internet at Home and One the Go” package that combines home and mobile broadband starting at $59.95 per month – this includes 3G network access and access to AT&T Wi-Fi hotspots
• Pre-installed AT&T communication manager application on netbooks

AT&T will also be offering similar deals at 8 Philadelphia retail locations. Netbooks available at the AT&T stores include:

• Acer Aspire One
• Dell Inspiron Mini 9 and Mini 12
• LG Xenia

Promotional Prices for these netbooks range from $49.99 to $249.99 with the purchase of an AT&T Internet at Home and On the Go plan (which includes an AT&T DataConnect Plan and AT&T Fast Access DSL starting at $59.95 per month)

Netbooks aren’t the only products AT&T is dabbling with here – they company will also offer the Lenovo X200 for $749.99 with Internet at Home and On the Go plan (or $849.99 with a two year DataConnect plan only).

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