Verizon to offer subsidized HP netbook on May 17

We’ve already reported about AT&T offering 3G netbooks in selected markets, and now it looks like Verizon is getting ready to jump into the subsidized netbook bandwagon too. Boy Genius Report claims to have received confirmation that Verizon will offer the HP Mini 1151NR, for $199 with a 2-year contract, starting on May 17. That’s more or less $200 off the standard price of a similarly spec'd HP Mini 1000, although with fees of $40 or $60 per month, you’ll be paying between $960 and $1,440 over the course of your contract.


The device itself is expected to be a pretty basic model, with an Intel Atom 1.6GHz processor, 1GB of RAM, an 80GB hard disk drive and 10.1-inch display. Also on May 17 Verizon will be launching the MiFi personal hotspot device, a $99 (after $50 rebate) Wi-Fi router the size of a credit card that has EV-DO integrated for connecting almost anywhere and sharing the connection with up to five devices simultaneously. The same fees of either $40 or $60 apply for the MiFi, of course, which are set at 250MB and 5GB monthly access respectively.