Free laptop deals

Guide to the best free laptop deals

One of the major mobile internet innovations of 2008 was the rise in so-called 'free' laptops - subsidised deals where, in return for signing up to an 18-month or two-year mobile broadband deal, you get a shiny new laptop into the bargain. The race to secure subscribers to these long-term mobile broadband packages has seen both the price of contracts and the quality of laptop improve dramatically over a short period of time, as the networks struggle for market share in this fast growing sector.

History of free laptops

PC World and Orange launched a fixed-line broadband deal early in 2007, but the idea didn't take off. However it seemed The Carphone Warehouse and AOL thought the idea had legs - they introduced a similar package later that year, with a better specced laptop, and the rest is history. The popularity of these laptop deals has surprised even the broadband companies. In July 2007, 4 per cent of all laptops sold in the UK were attached to one of these broadband deals. By October, that figure had skyrocketed to just under 30 per cent.

For both the broadband companies and the public, the timing of these offers could not have worked out better. These deals were made with suppliers before the recession really took hold. As people started to feel the financial pinch, the option of obtaining a brand-new laptop without having to hand over hundreds of pounds, or heaping more pressure on the credit card, was very appealing.

Another factor was of course the rise and rise of mobile broadband. The possibility of a truly mobile internet connection, allowing you to take your computer with you wherever you went, became a huge selling point for laptops. With the opportunity of acquiring a free laptop by simply agreeing to a commitment to paying for mobile broadband each month, laptop popularity and ownership mushroomed even further.

At present, you can find 'laptop for free' deals being offered by 3, T-Mobile, O2, Orange and Vodafone. Although price is of course a major concern, and 'free' is about as cheap as you can reasonably expect to pay, you should still consider other factors when looking into these subsidised 'free' laptop deals.

Which is the best laptop?

If you use a computer to just email and surf the web, these laptop deals may well suit your needs. However, if you are used to a more data hungry lifestyle - such as using streaming technology (eg the BBC iPlayer, or Spotify), gaming, or downloading a lot of large files - you may want to stick with fixed-line as your main source of the internet. Students will also find mobile broadband useful - perfect for halls of residence and the library, plus visiting home - as will people with small businesses who need to be working on the go.

If you do decide to go for a free laptop deal, there are several things you should consider. Firstly, is there actually a laptop on off that suits your needs. There is little point in acquiring a laptop with an 18-month or two-year contract if you are not going to be happy with its capabilities. Luckily, there are some great machines out there, from tiny light weight 'netbooks' to well specced full size laptops.

Battery life can be very important: are you going to need to use your new machine extensively when you could be away from a power supply? Using them while travelling is one example: you might be lucky enough to have power points on some train routes, but not all, and coaches don't tend to have them either.

For some people the weight of the laptop may be a consideration too. You can pick up netbooks now that weigh about the same as a bag of sugar, but don't expect to do too much on them beyond surfing the web. Also, many of these smaller, lighter machines have a small memory, so don't come with Microsoft's common Windows operating system. Instead they run on Linux-based operating systems, which run much lighter on memory. This means you won't have programs such as Word and Excel, although there will likely be alternatives installed (don't be put off - Linux isn't as scary as it sounds, especially if you're just surfing and checking your mail). If this is an issue, you may need to go for a better specced, and heavier, laptop.

Another consideration when looking into the various free laptop deals is screen size. Again, consider your usage habits. If you watch a lot of movies or play a lot of games, a very small or low resolution screen will probably not suit your needs. However, for a quick browse on the train you'll be well set. Again, consider that you'll still be paying for this 'free' laptop in a year's time, or perhaps closer to two: will it still be useful to you all those months away when you're still paying for it?

Next, carefully consider the features each laptop offers; consider what you make use of at the present - does the free laptop you are considering offer the features you feel are essential? For example, as we mentioned above, some of the smaller cheaper machines don't have Windows, which could be an issue for syncing address books and working on specific projects. Also, some of the smaller machines do not have DVD drives, and as we mentioned earlier, hard drive size can also be an issue.

Compare and save

With so many offers available there is no need to opt for the first free laptop offer you come across. And while carefully considering your laptop needs is key, equally don't be fooled into a mobile broadband deal that doesn't meet your requirements. While a free laptop sounds great, don't be kicking yourself six months down the line when you realise you're paying for five times as much data as you're actually using.

Sponsored links

• Mobile Internet, Mobile Broadband and Mobile TV - T-MobileMobile internet on the move from T-Mobile. The latest in mobile phones, mobile internet, mobile broadband, mobile TV and email.www.t-mobile.co.uk

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