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While netbooks with integrated 3G data connectivity garnered significant interest over the just-past holiday shopping season, larger laptops were largely left out of the party. Today, we’re hearing that Apple might soon change all that with a rumor that has AT&T and Apple possibly collaborating to integrate AT&T’s 3G mobile broadband service with Apple’s laptop lineup – the MacBook and MacBook Pro.
AT&T’s Emerging Devices group president Glenn Lurie said, in no certain terms, that he would like AT&T to continue their working relationship with Apple on devices outside the iPhone and iPhone 3G. Lurie continued to say that “We’re having conversations with lots of folks. I would very much like to do more business with Apple, and hope that we do.”
That last bit gives us hope that Apple will allow AT&T to bundle their 3G data services with the MacBook and MacBook Pro. On the other hand, a MacBook Pro with a bundled mobile broadband data service would likely be expected to be offered with subsidies from AT&T. Subsidies would drive down the purchase price of Apple’s flagship laptop, eroding the brand’s high-end and exclusive image.
Would Apple allow their MacBook Pro to be sold at a deep discount by AT&T?
Note: We resisted the temptation to mention the possibility that Apple is working on a netbook featuring AT&T 3G mobile broadband connectivity.
[Via: Fortune]
About The Author
Will Park
Will hails from The City of Angels - Los Angeles, California. He spends his time playing with his numerous gadgets and looking forward to seeing what future holds for mobile technology. An avid promoter of a fully "digital" life, he promotes the widespread adoption of truly mobile, paper-less living. He dreams of the day when he can go completely digital. No more snail mail, paper receipts, bound books, notepads/spiral notebooks, credit cards, hard currency. He's a digital warrior - fighting for the converged life. He is an idealist and a realist - he has a perfect view of what the world should be but knows that the world is not perfect. Can we ever hope to see Will's dream become reality? We'll see...
