Free Laptops – What Next?
Free is a very provocative word. It challenges you not to miss the opportunity. If it describes something of value, then the immediate reflex is to ask, Where’s the catch? Laptops are clearly something of value, so free laptops are certainly not to be missed. However as Microsoft found out in 2006, even with the help of top publicity experts like Edelman, those offering free laptops can run into problems.
Nevertheless giving away free laptops has now become much more common. This kind of free is not the same as that touted by Chris Anderson. In this virtual, Internet world he suggests giving away products that have zero cost in order to create an appetite for premium products that command a price. Nor is it really the same as Gillette giving away razors for free, in order to sell razor blades.
Although the cost of laptops has dropped significantly, offering a free laptop as a bonus is certainly a major inducement. Such a gift horse certainly needs to be examined carefully. They are now often being given away when a new broadband contract is signed. It would seem to be a much bigger bonus than offering free cell phones with long term contracts. Such broadband contracts are complex and careful study of all the contract details is a wise precaution. Luckily services such as those provided by Broadband Expert provide full details of such contracts.
One of the key measures in such a contract is the speed of connection. Broadband Expert provides a free tool for doing such a broadband comparison and in turn summarizes the results from such tests to provide ratings of the various broadband suppliers. It is yet one more example of how suppliers can create value by offering something for free.
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October 20th, 2008 at 4:23 am
‘free laptop’ seems to be a very popular phrase this season, especially with broadband providers. we’ve had numerous promos for work around this, along with the latest from fujitsu: http://uk.insight.com/content/special/specials98/ “buy a laptop now, get it replaced for free very 3 years for life”.
interesting to see what’s next!
October 28th, 2008 at 3:23 am
It’s caught up with the same idea as getting a free mobile phone with a mobile phone call plan. If you don’t have a computer, then you are less likley to get broadband. Clever strategy I think
November 4th, 2008 at 3:02 pm
Every mobile phone shop is now offering these free laptops too. Even from good brands like HP, Toshiba. If you look at the average price of a laptop they’ve dropped at least $100 over the last year. How long before free is the standard?
March 12th, 2009 at 8:17 pm
No one offers anything for ‘free’ unless it makes them money. The companies that offer ‘free laptops’ would be making a lot of money off the plans, just like cell phone companies.
March 13th, 2009 at 5:19 am
It’s a good way to get more people sign up to a product. Three network offers a free laptop when you sign up for a 24 months contract on a £30/month. When you work that out,we’re talking of over £700 *1000 customers. So it favors them in the long run.
March 20th, 2009 at 2:43 am
It sounds great yes. But it is also possible elsewhere to get free laptops without paying a penny.
April 17th, 2009 at 1:07 pm
I agree with mike, yes for sure the company will make lots of money in the plan. They are not gonna do that if they will not be able to make money out of it…