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Clearwire Communications is offering a netbook with built-in WiMAX connectivity for approximately $200. The Samsung NC10 has an integrated 4G modem, plus typical features such as a 10.1-inch display, 1.6GHz Intel Atom N270 CPU, 1GB of RAM, 160GB hard disk drive, and the Windows XP Home SP3 operating system, the company says.

As the spec chart later in this story details, Samsung’s NC10 — dating back to 2008 — is a typical first-generation netbook, with the now superseded Atom N270 processor and its 945GSE chipset. Worthy of note, however, is that reviewers have lauded the device for its keyboard and relatively lengthy battery life. (Also, as our sister site LinuxDevices.com has reported, the device is apparently a popular way to run Moblin, the Intel-sponsored Linux distribution.)

Clearwire provides the NC10 (right) with Windows XP Home SP3, not the Windows 7 Starter being shipped on most newer netbooks. However, customers who can live with the system’s dated aspects are apparently getting a good deal compared to the 3G-enabled netbooks typically offered by cellular providers, as we’ll explain.

The device is being offered for $200 to those who sign up for two years of Clear’s 4G WiMAX service. According to the company, this costs $45 per month with no data caps, and the first six months are $30/month. Over the course of the contract, therefore, the device would cost about $1190.

While Clearwire’s version of the NC10 isn’t cheap, therefore, netbooks offered with 3G modems through cellular providers have been priced even higher. Last October, for example, we noted that the Nokia Booklet 3G offered through AT&T would cost a total of $1,740 over a two-year contract — and even more once data usage caps are exceeded.

Of course, Clearwire’s WiMAX-based service, where available, is also faster than cellular. Offered by Clearwire itself as "Clear," and by partners such as Sprint and Comcast, the service is said to provide "true broadband speeds" of 3 to 6Mbps, "with bursts over 10Mbps."

OUR VERDICT:
Not a bad deal, if your area’s covered

In December, Clearwire announced that its service had been expanded to Hawaii. Other covered markets were said to include: Atlanta and Milledgeville, GA; Baltimore, MD; Boise, ID; Chicago, IL; Las Vegas, NV; Philadelphia, PA; Charlotte, Raleigh, and Greensboro, NC; Seattle and Bellingham, WA; Portland, OR; and Dallas/Ft. Worth, San Antonio, Austin, Abilene, Amarillo, Corpus Christi, Killeen/Temple, Lubbock, Midland/Odessa, Waco and Wichita Falls, TX.

According to Clear, its 4G service is available in more than 25 markets covering over 30 million people. Unfortunately for our testing purposes, we haven’t heard any word of when service will be extended to the backwaters WindowsForDevices.com inhabits — namely New York City, Boston, and Palo Alto!

Specifications listed by Clearwire for its version of the Samnsung NC10 include the following:

• Processor — Intel Atom N270 clocked at 1.6GHz
• Display — 10.1-inch screen with 1024 x 600 resolution
• Memory — 1GB of DDR2 RAM (non-expandable)
• Storage — 160GB hard disk drive (2.5-inch, 5400rpm)
• Camera — 1.3 megapixel
• Expansion — SD/SDHC/MMC card reader
• Networking:
  • LAN — 10/100 Ethernet
  • WLAN — 802.11b/g
  • PAN — Bluetooth 2.0
  • WAN — WiMAX 802.16E
• Other I/O:
  • 1 x VGA
  • 3 x USB 2.0
  • Audio — mic in and headphone out
• Battery — 6-cell lithium-ion
• Dimensions — 10.27 x 7.3 x 1.19 inches
• Weight — 2.8 pounds

Further information

Clearwire’s 4G-equipped Samsung NC10 appears to be available now, except in Seattle and Hawaii. More information may be found on the company’s website, here.

A favorable review of the NC10 may be found on the Laptop website, here.

Clearwire spins WiMAX-equipped netbook – News – Windows for Devices