Sprint Offers $.99 Netbook With Pricey Data Plan

Yes, Sprint is actually offering a 99 cent netbook. The value meal includes a HP Compaq 1040DX which is a rebadge of HP’s Mini (no side of fries included) for a two-year service agreement.

According to Best Buy’s site this week you can get the Compaq netbook (which has the standard Intel Atom N270 processor, 1GB of RAM, Windows XP combo) for $199.99 with 2-year plan with Verizon or AT&T or a slim $0.99 when you sign up for 2 years with good old Sprint. Without a contract the little guy goes for $389.99.

Now, we have done the math before on this one. You pay 99 cents when you leave the store, but with a two year contract and $59.99 a month for 5GB of 3G data service, you are paying at the least $1,440 over two years.

Either way, if you are looking to get a mobile broadband equipped netbook the Sprint offer seems like a no brainer since time and time again we have been impressed with Sprint’s network coverage.  We just wish it was a more impressive netbook being offered since the Compaq Mini 110c only has a 3-cell battery and 16GB of storage space.