Datawind offers up a no-contract mobile broadband netbook with roaming options

Fri 10 Jul 2009 2 Comments

The idea of a mobile broadband-embedded laptop may not be anything new, but for that a lengthy fixed-term contract is inevitably required. Today, Datawind announced a gadget with a difference – a netbook offering free Internet access in the UK as well as low cost roaming costs in Europe and USA.

Available from Maplin retail stores and Ideal TV home shopping the UbiSurfer is an original device combining WiFi, LAN as well as an embedded wireless data modem and SIM.

Without requiring a contract the Datawind Ubi Surfer offers customers up to 30 hours per month of free usage and a SIM and GPRS service delivered by Vodafone. There's no need to rely on WiFi hotspots nor is a network connection reliant on having a separate USB mobile broadband dongle. There's even an estimated browsing performance of between five to seven seconds per page. Roaming is also a potential with a fixed surfing rate of 5p per minute or alternatively, it's possible to upgrade to an unlimited packge for an additional £5.99 per month.

When it comes to the device's specs the UbiSurfer netbook boasts a full QWERTY keyboard, weighs approximately 700g and can be ordered in either a piano black or rubberised matt finish. Screen-wise, the TFT display measures seven inches and has a resolution of 800 x 480 pixels. As well as web browsing the UbiSurfer is suitable for XIP Office use, Email, Paint and Games and also includes a calendar, media player and a PDF viewer. With 1GB of storage and an additional 25GB of online storage the netbook features a SD/SDHC card reader, built-in microphone and an earphone jack.

Priced at £159.99 for the device 30 hours per month for internet access in the UK is bundled for free. For the second year an additional basic usage package will set users back a maximum of £29.99. Meanwhile, heavy users are able to opt for an unlimited access for £5.99 a month.


 

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Comments

  • neutral

    by bix at 21:42 on 27 Feb 2010Report abuse

    I went into maplins to view this product and the salesman was less than complimentary about it! He said it was more trouble than it was worth, and that most units developed faults and had to be returned or refunded. I was somewhat miffed as I had thought the netbook to be good value. He didn't even want to get it out of the cabinet for me to check the feel of the keyboard. I left without purchasing it, but somehow feeling that I had missed out on an affordable option for my limited internet needs

  • neutral

    by Paul Gregory at 14:49 on 3 Sep 2010 | registered | 1 postReport abuse

    Ha, The Ubisurfer Netbook (should be called rubbishy web browser), this device facades as a Netbook in appearance only. Its uderlying operating system is out of date Windows Embedded CE 6.00 which should have been updated to the latest edition. The one I bought was in a 2009 box & had a 2009 manual & was supposed to be a Ubisurfer 2(cost 150 quid) it turned out to be a Ubisurfer 2 with Ubisurfer 1 software (should be 70 Quid cheaper this one). The operating system was 2006. The manual said the browser was Firefox, when it was actually outdated IE6. I used the device (Big Mug me) for 2 & a bit months before all the application program files vanished (big problem this). I needed them restored. The device has no way of restoring anything because it's system is embedded. No restore partition, no programs to re-install. All I've got is the warranty thinks I. Turns out it's a Limited warranty when you read it. Takes away all your consumer rights & allows them too do things @ their options. Return it & "we'll fix it or renew it" they said. This is after about a month of trying to get support for it anyway. I would like my money back say's I. We can't do that you'll have to take it up with the supplier. "O/K" say's I. The supplier say's "You've had it too long", I wonder why. So I'm stuck @ the moment with dustbin foder. The CEO (Chief Executive Officer) Mr. Suneet. S. Tuli of Datawind Ltd or datawind (should be called blowing in the Wind) gets paid 1.6 million quid a year with a 1.8 million quid bonus. Datawind's the company that markets the Ubisurfer by the way. I'm retired (in 2004) & living on my savings from my salary of twelve thousand quid a year. To sum up, the thing (can't bring myself to call it a device anymore) is such a piece of rubbish it's not worth the cost of postage to keep sending it back & forth to Datawind Ltd. every time it goes wrong. I've bought myself a ZTE-102 Pay as you go Top-Up internet browsing telephone for 20 quid. This uses the 3G network & works ten times better. If you want to keep adding money to Suneet. S. Tuli's pocket & the rest of his associates (they get paid millions as well) then buy the thing, otherwise steer clear of anything associated with Datawind, datawind, Data wind or anything blowing in the wind. My big worry is that all the distributors, out there, will keep supplying these thing's to unsuspecting mugs like me!

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