It wasn’t that long ago that it was next to impossible to pickup a new laptop for under $1000, but now you can regularly find them for just a few hundred dollars. And there’s no arguing that people are becoming more and more connected thanks to the Internet access proved by cellphone networks. When you combine the falling prices of laptops with the increased connectivity what do you get?
Well, there is some thoughts that this could lead to wireless carriers offering free laptops when you sign a mobile Internet contract with them. It would work much the same way as buying a cellphone, where you get the device for free if you agree to stay with the carrier for a few years. And breaking the contract would obviously result in an early termination fee.
Will this takeoff? I think it has a good possibility because it would mean that the customers could upgrade every 18 to 24 months just like with cellphones. There would, of course, be the higher-end laptops that you could pay for, but you would still receive a significant rebate off of the original price.
The wireless carriers wouldn’t really suffer from doing this because it’s likely that they’ll use the same tactics that are used when selling cellphones. By that I mean they’ll increase the monthly plan price to compensate for the cost of the computer. It’s really no sweat off their backs, and I’m sure plenty of businesses and consumers would love being able to upgrade their laptops regularly without any hassle.
The selection probably wouldn’t be the best, and so this likely wouldn’t appeal to me. What do you think though?
The Guardian [via Gizmodo]
They would definitely make money off this, since they can use their current cell phone tactics… hidden fees, outrageous overage charges, hundreds of dollars in order to cancel… sounds like a moneymaker =)
Hi Ryan:
I’ll buy that business model. It works well with cellphones and it’s also very similar to inkjet printers and ink cartridges. The money is not in the printer, the money is in the consumables.
Omar.-
They been doing that since last year in the UK with laptops pre-installed with AOl,Norton Software etc… but they there doing other offers like Xbox 360 Elite, Wii, Ipod Touches this year along with laptops
I will keep with pay as you go for now
Wouldn’t that just be the same thing as taking out a lown for the thing and making monthly payments?
On a side note, since my Firefox is stuck in Safe Mode for the near see able future and I forgot my login information is there a way for me to sign onto my account?
Not to mention the useless services that they get people to sign up for by giving them a trial period, and then charging them if they don’t cancel. Those are the things that piss me off.
Printers are definitely a good example of that. What really amazes me is how much replacement cartridges cost for laser printers… it’s normally way more than the printer itself.
Check your email… I sent you your username.