Free Netbook from Virgin?

[BenMcr]

You can't order the netbook online - so it is not included in the bundle builder

Originally Posted by BenMcr

You can't order the netbook online - so it is not included in the bundle builder

so the prices are different? the bundle builder prices are different to the prices you get if you call?

[BenMcr]

Yes they are different - because the bundle builder prices do not give any netbook options!

[danielf]

Hang on: that netbook page says: free netbook when you take L BB, Mobile BB from £20 a month if you take a phone-line, and then the legal stuff says:

You must continue to subscribe to at least the following combination and level of services for your minimum contract term: Cable: XL TV; XL Broadband; XL Phone

What's up

[Monkeylord]

I phoned up about an hour ago to enquire about reducing my services and add 50MB and I mentioned the Netbook offer to the woman at the other end (I forget her name). She told me that the Netbook offer was only available to NEW customers for the foreseeable future and will be made available to existing customers based on how well it is received.

WTH!?!!

[sammyjayuk]

Originally Posted by zing

true but it gives me another toy anyway lol looks like im going back on 2 things ive said recently lol by getting 50 meg and now considering this netbook but it does appear you may need xl tv and phone which I wont be doing

Well, the world would be an awful place if we weren't allowed to sometimes change our minds!

Netbooks tend to do that to people - they certainly do it to me! I quite like the idea of having an ultra small, yet fully functional and connected laptop. Even though I loathe even standard PC laptop size trackpads - 10 minutes with an Eee PC, although nice, made me want to take a knife to the trackpad and chuck the whole thing out the 9th floor window (Apple's trackpads are very good, though - so I merely dislike them) - the size alone is enough to make me interested in this. Ideally, however, they'd also offer a convertible tablet like the GIGABYTE M912X, perhaps for a small extra cost - I see that there's a Menagerierumpus Snapcrackleandpopbook Pirouette (or, only slightly more sanely, the Zoostorm Fizzbook Spin) from Zoostorm, although it's targeted at younger users (based on the Intel Classmate, I believe).

Indeed, if the trackpad thing was the only barrier, I'd probably pounce on this because I can't really see myself wanting to switch away from VM for broadband (I'm also in the market for a cheap mobile broadband plan, since O2 want £15 to tether my iPhone with 1GB of data, and a netbook would go beautifully with that), but it isn't. I switched to Sky for TV, (after saying I'd never do so!) and it's still unclear as to whether their forthcoming STB VOD service is going to require a Sky Broadband connection. I hope it doesn't - BT charge ridiculous amounts for a new install *and* tie you into a 12 month line rental contract, then there's speed issues, etc - but if it does then I don't want to be tied into an extra long contract with VM. It's not like I have any regular use for 50 meg - it's nice, and was something I had to have, but anything reliable and over 5 meg would probably do me fine (although I'd ideally want at least 8 because 5/6 mbit/s is probably the minimum for pre encoded HD).

Still, it's a good deal (I'm just picky!), and it's nice to see. If you can stomach a 2 year contract, it's ideal!

Sam

[Stephen]

Originally Posted by zing

As I said I was not having a go at any VM staff at all and I did also say I noticed that point about it not being marketed as free

At least now we know the only way it is free is if you are triple XL and any other way there is a charge for the net book

It needs to be made clear so people can make advised choices

---------- Post added at 12:31 ---------- Previous post was at 12:24 ----------

Again to just clarify and again not an attack

On the netbook page it says

Broadband L phone M TV M with 1 gig MBB = £29 plus £11 phone so £40
but on the build your own package page its says
Broadband L phone M TV M = £19.50 pluss £11 phone = £30.50 so that shows a charge of £9.50 for MBB?

Again I mean no disrespect am I reading the figures wrong and if I am can you explain how

Realistically you are getting the laptop for its retail value but spread over the term of the contract. The same as all netbook/broadband deals.

[Pushkar]

Its nice.

[DJ Dave]

one in the post for me in red, had to take out no new items and he did not say anything about the 24 month contract.

But I do have XL Phone, L BB, M TV and 1gb Mobile BB.

thanks vm!

Originally Posted by DJ Dave

one in the post for me in red, had to take out no new items and he did not say anything about the 24 month contract.

But I do have XL Phone, L BB, M TV and 1gb Mobile BB.

thanks vm!

How much do you pay for that ?

[DJ Dave]

nothing, they said as i have all the services already i could just have one.

[Monkeylord]

Originally Posted by DJ Dave

nothing, they said as i have all the services already i could just have one.

Wonder why they told me it was for new customers only?

[warrenb]

I find it had to believe that the system would let you have it now for free without putting you on a new 24 month contract. I have XL everything v+ and 1gb Dongle, so if this is true, I shall be giving them a call when I get home.

[BenMcr]

Originally Posted by BenMcr

For lower packages you need at least

BB L + Phone or above if you don't have TV

BB L, TV L or above with/without a Phone if you do have TV

then you can add the netbook + 1Gbyte mobile stick for an extra £15 a month

All require a new 24 month contract

OK further clarification - sorry.

The important bit is that you have BB L or above AND at least one other service

---------- Post added at 15:42 ---------- Previous post was at 15:41 ----------

Originally Posted by DJ Dave

one in the post for me in red, had to take out no new items and he did not say anything about the 24 month contract.

But I do have XL Phone, L BB, M TV and 1gb Mobile BB.

thanks vm!

Originally Posted by warrenb

I find it had to believe that the system would let you have it now for free without putting you on a new 24 month contract. I have XL everything v+ and 1gb Dongle, so if this is true, I shall be giving them a call when I get home.

You WILL be tied into a 24 month contract - it is complusory, and you will have to pay £10 more per month on 1Gb Mobile Dongle

[DJ Dave]

never told me that, if i do I will be on the phone, 24 month contract is fine but the £5 from £15 I will not be ok with.