Don’t get Caught in the Net(book)

Be bold.  Be cheap.  Be alert when you buy a netbook.

RecessionGirl has been straight-up obsessed with netbooks and is the proud new parent of the HP 10.2 inch 1030 Atom.  The sticker price: $349.99.  Cheap and functional technology makes everyone want to shake their booty and dance with joy at the thought of a bargain.  But before you get stoked on your new mini-top, I just want to send a shout-out and warn ya on some of the financial fine print. Here’s what you need to know:

Microsoft Office costs $150 bucks and is sold separately.  Due to the antitrust action filed against Microsoft in 1998, it is illegal for the netbooks to be sold preloaded with the popular and recognized software.  I strongly recommend opting for ‘Open Office’ a FREE software application fully compatible with Microsoft Office that you can download in a few minutes http://www.openofficedownload.org/ver1a/index.php?se=AffID-210&affid=210&googleid=1041572243.

FYI, almost all netbooks come equipped with the ancient, arcane and just plane silly ‘Microsoft Works’.  It’s an abomination of software that is NOT compatible with MS Office for whatever bizarre reason; a cruel party joke that only Microsoft employees understand, but it’s easily overlooked when you’re jonesin for a netbook and focusing on the internet capabilities in the show room.  Stay focused and alert on your netbook test drive.  Recognize.

Here are some other costs that are thrown atcha:
(Prices vary depending on retailer, but are ball-park)

$59                  Standard 2 year warrante.
$129                2 year accident coverage warante.
$60                  Replacement battery (if you don’t rock the standard warrantee and you bust it).
$50                  1G upgrade.
$32.99             The cute little netbook carrying case.
$12.99             The not so cute little netbook carrying case.
8.625%            Big-ass New York State sales tax.

If I had opted for all of the bells and whistles strongly suggested by my sales person, my $349.99 laptop would have been about $800.

***Beware of the new commercial advertising the HP netbooks for $199.  HP and Verizon linked up on that deal and you will end up purchasing what amounts to what I call a ‘netberry’.  In addition to the sticker price for the netbook, you will be forking out roughly $40-$50 a month (depending on what kind of taxes, surcharges and other crap they tag on) because you’ve engaged in a binding 2-year contract with Verizon which is supplying you with 3G capability.  Great if you plan on traveling to Timbuktu or outer Mongolia and need to get a signal in a remote locale, but if you’re hitting Starbucks, your university library and other mainstream laplounges etc., it’s a ridiculously overpriced package, making your $200 purchase in the neighborhood of $1400 before taxes.  That price excludes requisite warantees and software.  Don’t get caught in the Net rifraf.  Keep it economical.  Keep it real.

Be bold.  Be cheap.  Be alert when you buy a netbook.