AT&T to Expand its Mini Laptop Lineup and Offer Nationwide Availability

Lightweight, 3G Mini-Laptops Ideal for Mobile Savvy Tweens, Teens, and Students; Convenient for Adults and Small Business Owners.

AT&T* announced that it will soon expand its portfolio of embedded 3G mini laptops – and make them available in AT&T stores nationwide.

The expanded embedded device lineup will include Acer, Dell and Lenovo mini laptops. AT&T plans to begin offering the new mini laptops through its nationwide sales channels – more than 2,200 AT&T-owned retail stores and through www.att.com – this summer.

“Sleek, mobile and fast is all the rage and we’re going to answer that call with a lineup of the hottest mini laptops in the market,” said Ralph de la Vega, president and chief executive officer, AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets. “Pairing these laptops with AT&T's home broadband, Wi-Fi, and the nation’s fastest 3G network enables consumers and small business customers to get the most from their new devices – at home, in the office and on the go.”

IDC, in its “Worldwide and U.S. PC Client Sub Form Factor 2009-2013 Forecast” published in April 2009, estimates that by year end 2009 worldwide shipments of mini laptops could reach 22 million. **

AT&T began trialing the sale of 3G mini laptops in its retail stores in April. Based on the successful results, AT&T will expand the availability of mini laptops through its nationwide stores and web site.

Pricing and availability of the new devices will be announced at a later date. Mini laptops embedded with AT&T 3G service are also available through other national retailers.

“It’s clear there’s a demand for mini laptops,” de la Vega said. “Our customers in the Atlanta and Philadelphia markets have responded well and the response isn’t limited to a specific demographic. We’re getting interest from tweens, teens, young adults, moms on the go and small business owners. Consumers and small business customers really seem to be attracted to the convenience and portability of this connected device.”

Mini laptops are lightweight computers that make it easy to surf the Internet, send and receive email, access and manage key contacts and appointments, review and edit business documents, keep social networking sites updated and manage digital files, including photos and music. The devices are a natural extension of AT&T’s product lineup as it remains committed to connecting its customers to their worlds, everywhere they live and work.