If you’re contemplating adding an ultra-portable laptop to your traveling writer arsenal, a recent set of AT&T ads featuring Bill Kurtis has probably intrigued you. AT&T has a promotion where you can get a mini-netbook for $199 when signing up for a service plan.

You get that final price after rebates and instant savings, but many tech blogs criticize the plan, saying the final cost of the laptop is far more expensive because of the $60-per-month data plan (for 5gb of transfer). When your two year contract is over, you’ll have paid as much for the data plan as you would have for the laptop.

It’s easy for freelancers to get swayed by these arguments, but I always remind my friends that data plans, laptop costs and other expenses can be written off, so that’s a bit of a moot point, at least for me. I know there is calculator voodoo you could do here, but I’ve already moved on, thanks. Continue reading The $199 Netbook? →