AT&T offers $99 netbook...with a $1,400 data plan

Confirming rumors that have been swirling around tech sites for the past month, AT&T has started offering discounted laptops and netbooks with a two-year contract. AT&T's current netbook lineup includes quite the variety, with offerings from Dell, LG and Acer starting at $99 after mail-in rebate and a two- year contract. The low price is subsidized by the $40 to $60 a month data plan, in the same manner that your cell phone is cheaper with a new two-year agreement.

For the uninitiated, netbooks are compact lightweight laptops that can handle web browsing and perform common business tasks with ease. Combine these strengths with the already low prices and it's no wonder AT&T chose to offer a subsidized netbook with the ability to get online anywhere. As a netbook owner, I can certainly attest to the convenience of netbooks and the ability to get online no matter where I am, but I'm a bit leery of purchasing a netbook with a contract.