In a press release, Smart has announced it will be offering netbooks with built-in SmartBro wireless internet as a bundled package. It’s not the regular USB dongle but netbooks with 3G SIM card slots in them.
Smart Bro wireless broadband modems now come embedded on units of the Asus Eee PC 904 GO, one of Asus’ newer models that have built-in 3G capability.
The Smart Bro-powered Asus Eee PC 904 GO is available via the Plan 799 monthly subscription. It also comes with 60 hours of 3G internet access at speeds of up to 2Mbps in major cities nationwide. Excess usage will be charged Php10 for every 30 minutes.
Initial cash-out is Php1,799 which covers the first monthly subsciption of Php799 and a Php1,000 application fee for the 24-month lock-in period. These will be available in selected Smart Wireless Centers in Metro Manila.
This is not the first time telcos are offering netbooks with a subscription plan but this will be the first time it’s tied up with a 3G data plan. If only Smart could offer this with unlimited 3G.
Update: Here are the complete specs of the Asus EeePC 904 Go:
Intel Atom 1.6GHz N270
8.9″ display screen
1GB DDR2 RAM
160GB HDD
EDGE/UMTS 2100, 1900, 850Mhz
Bluetooth, WLAN, 10/100LAN
3xUSB Ports, Card Rader, Audio In/Out
Huawei HSDPA/HSUPA Modem, 7.2Mbps up/ 2Mbps down
1.3MP webcam
MS Windows XP Home
Loading ...
Not so bad.
Had it come 1000HE (at least) and unlimited 3G, it would have been super.
Thanks for the update!
Twitter: kzapkzap
replied on Mar 19th, 2009 at 1:13 am (2)
now if only the connection was stable and it would stop getting disconnected every few minutes then it would really be 10 pesos per 30 minutes instead of 10 pesos for every reconnect every 2-3 minutes
@Andre, so far every connection I made using my SmartBro (via SonyEricson phone) is ok, not getting disconnected… and it’s P10 every 30min block, right?
I am going to get one of those… i’ve been meaning to get one of those small notebooks, smartbro embedded is a good extra..
sana merun naman na yan d2 sa province namin… i’ll check it out on SMART WC here
sana merun naman na yan d2 sa province namin… i’ll check it out on SMART WC here
yehey for smart ! all of these promos, new products and services from the telcos are great for us consumers. keep em coming smart, globe and sun !
how much ba ang model ng asus na eee pc 904 today?.. seems a good buy lalo na sa people on the go..
Why no unlimited? I guess they don’t get the point that people grab unlimited plans this days…
i knew this was too good to be true. i thought the P1,799 was just for the initial cashout and then just 799 each month for 2yrs. turns out that it will be 1,799 every month for 2 years. huge disappointment!
yuga, parang misleading yung post. according to the smart website
“Initial cash-out for the 24-month subscription is P1,000 for the laptop plus P799 for the first monthly service fee, for a total of P1,799. The same amount goes for the monthly fee for the package. Interested subscribers may apply for the plan at selected SMART Wireless Centers in Metro Manila.”
so kung monthly P1,799, parang binili mo talaga yung laptop, medyo napamahal pa ata (24 months x P1000). Maganda ba specs nyan?
At P1799 monthly for 60 hours, that doesn’t sound like a good deal at all. Better get your own netbook at the price you seem is right, and get a prepaid dongle to go with it. At least you can control your monthly expenses and the actual , and if ever the service wasn’t exactly to your liking, you can change services anytime, resell your prepaid dongle, or even change netbooks within that 2-year span.
@kiko and alvin — I wrote the initial cash of Php1,799 covers the Php799 monthly subscription and the Php1,000 application fee.
Sorry if I worded it a bit confusing.
Anyone know kung anong specs nung sinasabi nilang EEE PC 904 GO?
Dalawa kasing klase ng 904, yung Celeron and Atom version. And hopefully 6-cell yung battery.
yeah i’d like to know too if it has an Atom processor.
It’s an Intel Atom. I updated my post above with the complete specs.
ang ganda! gusto ko na talaga bumili ng ganyan kaya lang nanghihinayang pa rin ako sa EEE PC 800 with prepaid smartbro ko
Yuga, I inquired about this promo with Smart. They said that the monthly fee for the internet is 799 but there’s also the monthly payment for the netbook (thru credit card) which is 1000. It’s like paying for the netbook itself. I knew this is too good to be true.
@ardz, you have a point. I’m not a bit confused. I am now confirming this with them and update the post asap.
Ewan…! Smart pah, papadehado sa subs? C’mon!
Is the notebook free? Like the free phones promo for post paid plans ? is this a good buy ? Im from iloilo when will it be available here?
oops sorry i didnt read the last two entries…
wala bang ibang payment process sa laptop except sa credit card???
sayang naman… gusto ko pa naman sanang kumuha
@oathkeeper,
There’s no option for that.
only a STUPID-dumb will have to enjoy this VERY EXPENSIVE netbook-3G service…
for P43,000+?
a NETBOOK? I’d rather buy myself a decent laptop
plus 60hr/mo.-INTERNET? I’d rather go to COFFEE SHOPS with WIFI bringing with me my ASUS EEEPC 2GSurf
Smart is CLEARLY EXPLOITING Filipino CONSUMERS…
Go to HELL!!!
Wow. I wonder if we can mod or buy a sim slot for our existing eee pcs… hmmm…
interesting.. it would be a great package in upgrading my unit.. i think that would provide my needs and of less hassle for in traveling purposes.
interesting.. it would be a great package in upgrading my unit.. i think that would provide my needs and of less hassle for traveling purposes.
nice package plan!! nice unit!!