Sprint Becomes First U.S. Carrier To Bundle Ultrabook With 3G/4G MiFi

Remember the days when U.S. carriers thought it may be wise to offer underpowered netbooks for slightly reduced prices if purchased alongside a two-year data contract? Good thing that's no longer a fad, but clearly Sprint isn't quite over the phase. The carrier has just become the first operator in America to offer an Ultrabook on contract. It will come in a bundled wireless package that includes a 3G/4G mobile hotspot device at no additional charge, but that's only telling part of the story: you'll still have to pony up monthly for mobile data. The IdeaPad U310 isn't a half-bad machine, powered by an Intel chip and offering plenty of oomph for most users, and Sprint is probably doing us all a favor by simply offering a MiFi instead of offering a machine with the 3G/4G module built right in. This way, if you switch machines, the MiFi can still provide data for it. Way, way more flexible.


Sprint data plans for the 3G/4G mobile hotspot device start at $34.99 per month for 3GB of combined 3G/4G data while on the Sprint network. Customers also can choose the $49.99 per month plan with 6GB of combined 3G/4G data and still receive three months of free mobile broadband service with a two-year Sprint mobile broadband service agreement.

So, tempting for you, or are you still holding out for something better as the back-to-school lineup begins to appear?