free laptop - broadband deals...help plz, which one to go for....
 

which one is the best to go for...

the one i have come across is the AOL offer...are there any others...

i currently have talk talk phoneline and broadband...ive had it for a few years now, so if i ring them up and cancel.... i can register with another provider which offers a free laptop..

Re: free laptop - broadband deals...help plz, which one to go for....
 

Just bare in mind the laptop isnt actually free, you pay an extra premium for getting the 'free' laptop, normally about £10 - £15 per month compared to the standalone broadband which over 24 months equals the cost of your laptop plus a little extra. Its like getting the laptop with a relativley low APR on a low tier broadband package with a low download limit.

Re: free laptop - broadband deals...help plz, which one to go for....
 

Apparently virginmedia are to jump on the a free laptop deals too


Well, yes it is a free laptop as you'd have to pay the same amount for the broadband service even if you declined the freebie.

Re: free laptop - broadband deals...help plz, which one to go for....
 

I have yet to see one that doesnt charge more for the laptop deals then the standard rate. e.g. bb with 3gb cap £10 pm, laptop & bb with 3gb cap £20 (How is that free exactly?).

Re: free laptop - broadband deals...help plz, which one to go for....
 

Vodafone are doing a deal with Dell mini netbooks.

Re: free laptop - broadband deals...help plz, which one to go for....
 

I have to agree, It would be cheaper to go buy a decent spec laptop then buy the broadband rather than take up one of those deals.

My advice is to do a bit of shopping around

Re: free laptop - broadband deals...help plz, which one to go for....
 

Also, these deals can sometimes tie you into a 2yr contract without you realising, so in fact, you'd be paying a hell of a lot. It'd be cheaper going out and buying a laptop as others have said.

Re: free laptop - broadband deals...help plz, which one to go for....
 

I was in the )2 shop the other weekend and was having a paly with what i think was a Dell minibook running Ubuntu linux,,quite nifty,capable and very portable..

Re: free laptop - broadband deals...help plz, which one to go for....
 

Hi All,

I think we should just put these deals in to perspective a bit, as they were never intended to be a way of getting the best laptop for nothing but more of a way of allowing people who cannot go out and simply buy a really decent laptop to get a new one and pay for it over time.

Also, for some, it will be their first foray in to internet/mobile internet and the laptop is the perfect accompaniment.

I know a fair bit about these deals and I would offer the following advice:

- Don't go for a mobile broadband free laptop deal if you are looking to replace your fixed line/calls. The exception would be if you were a really light internet user. The aforementioned Dell deal with Vodafone is from £25 for a paltry 1GB or £30 for 3GB/month BUT you get charged £15 (that's FIFTEEN pounds) for every GB you go over your limit.
- AOL Broadband is the only major ISP to be doing a laptop deal at the moment so that is your best bet for replacing fixed line broadband/calls. You can get laptop, w.router, 8Mbps broadband, 40GB usage and free weekend calls from £19.99 (line rental on top). The deal is currently with a HP 6720 laptop and for just £29.99 you can upgrade to a decent machine with bluetooth. My mate got one and it's a good looking machine.
- Some stores like Comet are doing deals where you can buy the laptop of your choice at the RRP but then get £300 or more back if you sign up to broadband in store.
- Carphone Warehouse is offering laptops with various ISPs including Virgin Media and also do mobile broadband so I would start there.

Also, most contracts will be 18/24 months and be prepared for a credit check.

Hope that helps!:dunce: