NetbookTech

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.

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).

[Check it out]

Dell added a couple of new options to their Inspiron Mini 9 netbook. First off, if you’re planning to get a Mini 9 with Ubuntu Linux pre-installed, you can now opt for a 32GB Solid State Drive for an additional $100 dollars from the base 4GB SSD configuration. Interestingly enough, the 32GB option is missing from Windows XP models of the Mini 9.

However, Windows XP users of the Mini 9 do have a different new option. They can now select to have AT&T’s mobile broadband HSDPA embedded mini-card built right into the Mini 9 for an additional price of $125 dollars. There’s also a $120 dollar rebate available with details at www.dell.com/att (you will need to activate a new two year AT&T DataConnect Unlimited service plan).

Go to www.dell.com/mini for additional details on the new options.