Verizon Wireless is preparing to challenge AT&T by introducing its own netbook with a two-year broadband plan. On Sunday, it will begin selling Hewlett-Packard’s Mini 1151NR for $200 after a $50 rebate.
The 3G netbook uses a 1.6-GHz Atom N270 processor and comes with 1GB of RAM, an 80GB hard drive, and a 10.1-inch widescreen display. It has Ethernet, Bluetooth and 802.11b/g connectivity and a 92 percent keyboard. It weighs in at 2.45 pounds and runs Windows XP Home Edition with Service Pack 3. The three-cell battery is expected to provide two to three hours of power per charge.
On Sunday, Verizon will boost its $39.99-a-month data plan to allow 250MB of data each month, with a charge of 10 cents for each additional megabyte. Verizon also offers a $59.99 plan with 5GB and a five-cent overuse charge, and a day pass for $15.
Verizon said the netbook comes with a Qualcomm Gobi chip for access to its CDMA and GSM networks. If a customer selects the $129.99-a-month Global Access plan, a SIM card is provided.
AT&T offers the 3G Acer Aspire One netbook for $99.99 with a service contract. The 2.44-pound netbook comes with 1GB of RAM, a 160MB hard drive and 802.11b/g connectivity. It has a 10.1-inch screen.
A 3G Acer netbook with an 8.9-inch screen is also offered on the Radio Shack Web site for $49.99 with a two-year AT&T contract at $60 a month. It features an Atom processor, 1024×600 resolution, a camera, 1GB of RAM, a 160GB hard drive, and Windows XP Home Edition. It comes with a card reader and a three-cell battery for about 2.5 hours of power.