UK Telephone operator Orange has announced plans to bundle free laptops with data packages aimed at businesses and consumers. The move, scheduled for August, is the latest in a spate of 'free' laptop promotions from retailers and ISPs looking to tie customers into long-term subscriptions.This latest offer requires customers to sign up for a 24-month mobile broadband contract in return for their 'free' notebook. Consumers signing up for the ISP's £25 per month mobile broadband service will receive an Asus Eee PC 900 16GB laptop with USB modem on Orange's Internet Everywhere tariff.
The deal includes a 3GB data allowance and 100 texts which users can send from their notebook. Business customers can choose from three HP laptops, with pricing depending on the monthly cost of the tariff. All three business price plans will be sold via Orange's direct telesales channel and come with unlimited data and 500 Wi-Fi minutes.
The entry level £35 per month tariff offers an HP 6730s Intel Celeron laptop and Orange USB dongle. Customers signing up to a £40 per month tariff will get an HP 6730s Intel Core 2 Duo in addition to the same Orange USB dongle. Business users opting for the top end £45 per month price plan will receive an HP 6730b Intel Core 2 Duo complete with an embedded Sim card.
There's no mention of a support package or warranty - but there's no doubt that this is competitive, and as ISP and mobile operators start to feel the heat consumers (and businesses) will benefit from these offers. If you think about the stack of services which are being offered here it's a very competitive and appealing prospect for many mobile workers.
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