RadioShack offers the Acer Aspire One for $100

by Stevie Smith - Dec 15 2008, 18:17

While subsidisation is generally associated with mobile phone deals, offering low-priced computer hardware to consumers willing to embrace a mandatory service contract appears to be gathering traction in the face of an unpredictable financial climate.

That trend is being bolstered by popular electronics retailer RadioShack, which will provide customers with an Acer-branded Netbook in return for a paltry $100 USD and a two-year commitment to AT&T’s broadband online service.

According to RadioShack, offering the Acer Aspire One will see it become the first major electronics retailer in the United States to sell a broadband-ready ultra mobile personal computer attached to such a deal.

The proffered Aspire One is typical of the burgeoning Netbook market insofar as it weighs in at just over a kilo, has a modest 9-inch LCD display, is powered by the Intel Atom processor, has 1GB of RAM, a 160GB hard drive, an integrated Web camera and built-in memory reader, and runs on the Windows XP operating system.

“Many people internationally are already enjoying the portability, on-the-go connectivity and affordability of this emerging new technology,” enthused Peter Whitsett, executive vice president for merchandising at RadioShack in an official statement.

“We are proud to introduce this concept in the U.S. by offering a netbook with integrated 3G functionality in addition to full Wi.Fi capability,” he added.

RadioShack plans to sell its high-speed Aspire One as a limited-time offer from December 14 through to December 24. Those festive bargain hunters looking to secure a sleek little Netbook for beneath the tree will be expected to pay a further $60 USD per month for two years on the AT&T contract.

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