Are they any good, and are they worth it?

The ones I have seen the laptops tend to be bog standard models and you're tied down for 24months

That said it could prove handy. Have you got any particular service in mind?

this the deal with CPW and/or AOL? steer clear of both is the advice we hear from our resident financial advisor at home

Just work out the figures......

A mobile broadband package is typically £15 a month (some are £10), so thats

24*15=£360

The ones with free laptop are £35 a month, so thats

24*35=£840, so thats £480 that your paying for a laptop. What is that laptop worth if bought alone?

My mobile broadband (on voda) is £15 and is a 12 month contract so I am only tied in for the 12 months.

I suppose for those that aint got £480 lying under their mattress and need credit then its a cheaper way of getting a laptop without paying interest on HP or a loan.

Steve

Also make sure you get good 3G coverage where you want to use it.

For example, Just got back from Norfolk and some areas are really poor and I struggled to get any sort of connection through my N95 in use as a laptop modem. Around the coastal areas, expect poor 3g coverage and possibly no GPRS coverage either.

If you are out of 3g coverage, then the speed will be the same as old fashioned dialup.

As said, providers giving laptops tie you in for 24months and make it very hard to leave no matter how poor they are.

The laptops are very basic, and very slow. Unless you only want web browsing and email, again avoid.

The packages are also not quite as good, and often more expensive than getting broadband only.

Dont be tempted by the freebies

I sat down and worked it out (doing this for a friend). Thanks for the comments - am going to tell him to get a nice laptop and then get the broadband separately!

Dont be tempted by the freebies

Cheers. If there's one thing I've learnt, nothing in life is free!

Most of what I have read in this thread seems poorly informed.

It's just like buying a mobile. No different, you just need to find the right package for you, there are various models, spec's, brands and adaptors available as well as 12/18/24 month contracts. You can look at some of the working out as think it costs you £400 odd over two years for a laptop but you need to take into account the fact you get a service with that. The way buying a package like this appeals to a lot of people for the simplicity of it and it will slowly become more and more popular. In 5 years time the majority of equipment will be sold to Joe public this way.

Go and speak to a professional about it because by the looks of this thread not many people really know the details and are giving you very one sided advice.

Edited 4 September, 200817 yr by Decron

define a professional, as all the stores are biased/sponsored to sell packages. Look at the comparison sites if you want to see biased results

all the free laptop bundles are overpriced. for the same money, buy your own (better one) and broadband with better usage allowance and lower cost. None of the bundle deals are benificial or a 'steal'. Con more like.

This is true for anyone currently offering a free laptop, and is easily proven if the user goes direct and prices it seperately

I cant see how that's being one sided advice.

And Mobile deals are just the same. If you only need a SIM, and supply your own phone, suddenly the free phone deals and monthly tariffs become very poor and expensive for the life of the contract. Try pricing an N95 simfree, then a sim only deal - you'll find the line rental is 1/3-1/2 what you would pay. They have to cover the cost of the phone somehow

define a professional, as all the stores are biased/sponsored to sell packages. Look at the comparison sites if you want to see biased results

No they are not. I can think of at least three outlets that sell a vast range of everything.

all the free laptop bundles are overpriced. for the same money, buy your own (better one) and broadband with better usage allowance and lower cost. None of the bundle deals are benificial or a 'steal'. Con more like.

No they are not. They might not be what you consider a good deal but for a lot of other people they will be.

This is true for anyone currently offering a free laptop, and is easily proven if the user goes direct and prices it seperately

So you know every package and piece of kit that's being offered by every retailer? I don't think you know as much as you think you do.

I cant see how that's being one sided advice.

Well it's one sided because it's your opinion and it's not that well informed.

And Mobile deals are just the same. If you only need a SIM, and supply your own phone, suddenly the free phone deals and monthly tariffs become very poor and expensive for the life of the contract. Try pricing an N95 simfree, then a sim only deal - you'll find the line rental is 1/3-1/2 what you would pay. They have to cover the cost of the phone somehow

Some do, some don't. it really depends on the the individual. You might find this a very easy and straightforward of meeting your needs. I am the same, I would prefer to source my own and work it all out for myself. The reality it most people can't and won't do it. Sim only tarifs are also not comparable to regular tariffs either.

Using an example of O2 over an 18 month period;

Simplicity sim only - Online 30 £30x18= £540

Nokia N95 8GB from Expansys = £394.99 inc. VAT

Total cost of line + equipment = £934.99

Online 35 (Closest tarif to the above on a handset) - £35x18= £630

Nokai N95 8GB direct from 02 = £149.99

Total cost of line + equipment = £779.99

The only advantage doing it your way has is that your only locked in for for a 30 day period. However the package is clearly the more cost effective way for the customer if this matches their needs.

There is another thing I think I should add.

There are places that are blatently being biased towards a certain product(s) and there are obviously various reasons for this.

However there are retailers that do realise that if the customer doesn't get what they need and what is right for them, they will just bring it all back costing the retailer 30% on the equipment and also many £'s in lost time making it a false economy for them

I think people these days are just a little too cynical.

No they are not. I can think of at least three outlets that sell a vast range of everything.

Name them. They are all either owned by, or sponsored to sell products above others. Even the CPW - they were once independent, but sadly no longer (Vodafone were looking to buy the firm last year). The Link is biased toward O2 on mobiles, and Phones4u is another one who isnt as independent as they make the punters believe. Not like in the Caudwell days.

As for Sim deals, O2 really is the poorest (and most expensive) option. They arent all that competitive as it is, and tend to be expensive for what you get in the common £30-40/month arena.

SWMBO's Flext 35 can be had on a sim only deal (not called flext though) for £15/month for exactly the same quota.

I could get my Orange Dolphin 35 for £12/month Sim only. Still with 600 mins, still with unlimited texts. Just not with my unlimited broadband for £5/month - but then I could go with Sky instead.

Edited 4 September, 200817 yr by gadgetman

Name them. They are all either owned by, or sponsored to sell products above others. Even the CPW - they were once independent, but sadly no longer (owned by Vodafone). The Link is biased toward O2 on mobiles, and Phones4u is another one who isnt as independent as they make the punters believe. Not like in the Caudwell days.

As for Sim deals, O2 really is the poorest (and most expensive) option. They arent all that competitive as it is, and tend to be expensive for what you get in the common £30-40/month arena.

SWMBO's Flext 35 can be had on a sim only deal (not called flext though) for £15/month for exactly the same quota.

I could get my Orange Dolphin 35 for £12/month Sim only. Still with 600 mins, still with unlimited texts. Just not with my unlimited broadband for £5/month - but then I could go with Sky instead.

How do I put this... You info is a little out of date/wrong

CPW are no more owned by Vodafone than my car is :rofl::rofl:they don't even sell Voda Pay monthly:rofl::rofl: The CEO Dunstone is actually still the majority shareholder after 18 years.

The Link ceased to exist about 18 months ago although P4U are very restricted these days due to a deal on Vodafone exclusivity which is what prevents CPW from selling PM.

I appreciate that YOU can get deals that would be better for YOU but for others their requirements may be different.

Name them. They are all either owned by, or sponsored to sell products above others. Even the CPW - they were once independent, but sadly no longer (Vodafone were looking to buy the firm last year).

Oooh editing after I posted...

Not a lot of point considering your original statement is quoted in my post.

That's poor darts from a Mod :(

I was going to continue this discussion but if your going to cheat...

Well Voda were said to be buying CPW as well as Tiscali at one point.

TBH, I dont trust any store these days to give unbiased advice. It really is down the consumer to know what you want, and do the leg work before going shopping - which is a shame.

The Link does still exist, found in many a PC world and still online just as is dixons

That's poor darts from a Mod :(

Only if I'd edited the quote in your post - which I havent

Done nothing more than a standard user could have.

The Link does still exist, found in many a PC world and still online just as is dixons

Different company, with different distribution, management and commissions structures. The Link retail was stripped and sold out by DSG. What you see in PC World is DSG using a brand name.

Independants such as Jag, Get Connected and few others whose names elude me are still doing deals on everything they can get their hands on.

Anyhow, my original point was that these deals being on mobiles or laptops can be just as if not more cost effective than doing it from scratch yourself. Every persons needs are different and each situation is different so requiring a different solution, you can't just put the solutions down because it isn't yours.

I just checked the CPW webook/orange deal on a similar lappy from PC world and a Ornage direct deal and the Webook works out at £11's more over 24 months so you were right about that one! However people will buy it because they can just go in and pick the whole package up in one go and pay it over 2 years.

Edited 4 September, 200817 yr by Decron

TBH, I dont trust any store these days to give unbiased advice. It really is down the consumer to know what you want, and do the leg work before going shopping - which is a shame.

I think it is a shame you feel you can't get independant advice. I know I am probably not going to change your mind either but I did try

I totally appreciate where your coming from. The retail world has become very complex just underneath the skin and it's never good for the average consumer.