AT&T and Verizon are now both selling netbooks cellphone-style—that is, at a deep discount in exchange for a two-year service commitment, in this case to data service on a 3G data network. I've been using two of the first such netbooks: the $100 Acer Aspire One from AT&T and the $199 HP Mini 1151NR, from Verizon. Both cost up to $200 less than the non-carrier version of the unit.
Here's my take on these units, admittedly based on limited casual use: Like all netbooks, both make compromises for compactness and light weight. Yet I also found both offer fairly fast, widespread access to a 3G network without the fuss of installing a wireless card—which not all non-carrier netbooks even accept. (As an alternative, you can connect a non-carrier netbook to 3G by using a so-called dongle that plugs into, and dangles from, a USB port.)
The Acer, which has a 9-in. display, is the least expensive of five 3G netbooks and laptops being offered by AT&T, which this week expanded to nationwide sales of the units after pilot programs in Philadelphia and Atlanta. Verizon's HP netbook, the only one the carrier currently offers, has a 10-in. display and is also available nationwide.
Here are my notes on what I experiences with these units:
Adequate network access. In my anecdotal experience in and around New York City, I experienced decent network speed for e-mail and Web surfing.
Both netbooks have a connection-manager app to manage your connections to either 3G or Wi-Fi.
I was able to switch connections manually between 3G and Wi-Fi more quickly and easily on the Verizon HP than the AT&T Acer. Often, the Acer would "forget" its connection with its built in modem, and I would have to reboot the machine. I also found the switch in the front right side of the Acer, used for toggling between Wi-Fi and 3G, to be confusing.
The Verizon connection manager also allows one-click to the data capacity you’ve used to date in the current month—a nice option given the hefty overage charges for 3G plans. (To get that info on the AT&T, you need to sign in online to your account.) Switching to Wi-Fi allows you to stop that data meter. The AT&T 3G plans include unlimited data capacity and time on any of the more than 20,000 AT&T hotspots around the country. Verizon has no commercial hotspots, though it's rumored to be in talks with third-party providers to offer them.
An ergonomic issue. One expects smaller keyboard (smaller everything, in fact) on a pint-sized portable computer. But both these machines have mouse buttons to the left and right of the touchpad instead of at the bottom—the customary, thumb-friendly spot. I found this side-to-side configuration a bit awkward, and it helped drive down ergonomics scores in our full tests of the non-carrier version of the Acer and a cousin to the HP, the 1030NR, both of which are in our netbook Ratings (available to subscribers). In time, I might become accustomed to the alternative test pad, but I’d prefer a netbook, like the Samsung NC 10 and Asus EEEPC 1000AG we’ve rated, which have mouse buttons in the customary locations.
The bottom line: Assuming you’re sure you want a netbook, and plan to use the unit extensively on a 3G network, one of the carrier models will be a good buy. Even if you’re not sure about the network access, the risk of getting the carrier version over the regular retail one is fairly low. Should you decide to drop service after buying either netbook, the steep discount on the purchase price should more than cover the termination fees you'd face for breaking your contract early.
Among the two carrier netbooks I looked at, I preferred the Verizon HP. The AT&T Acer, with its smaller screen, is less pricey, though: It’s $100 less to buy, and its access to AT&T Wi-Fi hotspots could allow you to opt for a less-expensive 3G plan or to avoid pricey data-overage charges. —Mike Gikas
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