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        Samsung netbook subsidized two different ways

        Jonathan Angel | Date: Nov 25, 2009 | Comments: 1


        While many Americans are preparing to duke it out in post-Thanksgiving "Black Friday" sales, Samsung announced two ways to get discounts on a recently announced netbook. The N310 "Go" is available for $200 with a two-year AT&T data plan, or for $100 off with a one-year subscription to an electronic edition of The New York Times, the company says.

        Samsung's N310 Go was announced back in March in Korea, and subsequently introduced to the U.S. In Korea, the device was touted for its bacteria-resistant keyboard, but the company hasn't chosen to emphasize this aspect of the device for U.S. customers. Rather, the company cites "a slim, elegant chassis, rounded edges, and smooth surface designed by award-winning [artist] Naoto Fukasawa."

        According to Samsung, the N310 Go's six-cell, 8850mAh battery allows up to nine hours of operation on a single charge. Apart from this, the Atom N270-based device has typical netbook specifications and ingredients, as you'll see from the spec sheet later in this article. (A Laptop magazine review, here, lauded the N310's stamina but criticized its higher-than-average $480 price.)

        Now, says Samsung, the N310 Go (above right) is available for approximately $200, complete with a 3G cellular modem and the Windows 7 Starter Edition operating system. Offered at AT&T stores and online starting this week, the deal requires purchase of a two-year AT&T Data Connect service agreement, including a 200MB option for $35 per month and a 5GB plan for $60 per month.

        OUR VERDICT:
        Subsidized netbooks are only a good deal if you were looking to buy the service they come with in the first place
        Doing the math on the AT&T deal shows a total system cost ranging from $1,040, not including taxes and other fees, to $1,640. Also, the carrier's version of the N310 is said to come with only a four-cell, 4000mAh battery, reducing operating time to four hours.

        Another way of acquiring a N310 Go was announced today by The New York Times, which is offering the device for $280 when it is purchased with a one-year subscription to Times Reader 2.0 software. Times Reader, which costs approximately $180 per year, is an application that uses Adobe's AIR framework to provide both online and offline reading capabilities, according to the publisher.


        Samsung's N310 Go and Times Reader 2.0
        (Click to enlarge)

        Times Reader 2.0 -- pictured above -- is said to offer the following features:

        • Parallels printed news with columns of high-quality text, combined with the dynamic flexibility of the web, including search, links and up-to-the minute headlines
        • Downloads the Latest News section from NYTimes.com as often as every five minutesAllows readers to sync content via internet connection and then read seven days' worth of content offline
        • Integrates interactive version of The New York Times premium crossword puzzle
        According to The New York Times, subscribers must purchase their N310 netbooks from the retailer J&R Music and Computer World in order to receive the $280 price. Unfortunately, the device -- offered in black rather than the blue provided by AT&T -- is once again said to have a four-cell battery.

        Features and specifications listed by Samsung for the N310 Go include:

        • Processor -- Intel Atom N270 clocked at 1.6GHz
        • Memory -- 1GB of DDR2 RAM (expandability not cited)
        • Display -- 10.1-inch screen with 1024 x 600 resolution
        • Camera -- 1.3 megapixel webcam
        • Storage -- 160GB hard disk drive (5400rpm)
        • Expansion -- SD/SDHC/MMC slot
        • Networking:
          • WLAN -- 802.11b/g
          • PAN -- Bluetooth 2.1 (may not be on AT&T/J&R versions)
          • LAN -- Ethernet
          • WAN -- 3G cellular (AT&T version)
        • Other I/O:
          • 1 x VGA
          • Mic in and headphone out
          • 3 x USB 2.0
        • Battery:
          • 6-cell 8850mAh battery provides nine hours of operation; 4-cell battery 4000mAh battery provides 4.5 hours of operation
          • Dimensions -- 10.31 x 7.26 x 1.1 inches
          • Weight -- 2.9 pounds

        Yasmin Namini, senior vice president of marketing and circulation for The New York Times,stated, "Offering Times Reader with the Samsung Go makes it possible toenjoy our next generation news reader application on a sleek, premiumnetbook. This is a great value for consumers, especially with theholiday season approaching."

        Douglas Albregts, vice president for sales and marketing ofSamsung's information technology division, stated, "Samsung is excitedto bring our popular Samsung Go to AT&T customers. The portable,lightweight design and robust feature set of the Samsung Go allowsusers to stay connected whenever, wherever."

        Further information

        Samsung's N310 Go is available now, according to the company. For information on the standard version, see the company's website, here.

        For information on the AT&T version of the N310, see the carrier's website, here.

        For information on the N310 discounted with purchase of a Times Reader 2.0 subscription, see The New York Times website, here.

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