It is still realistic, even without an increase in price. Low end tablets can be found for less than $100. The performance of those low end tablets will eventually improve to the point where Amazon can offer a free tablet, under contract, without disappointing customers. Since Amazon has a very large and broad customer base, a relatively small proportion of their users would root the device. Amazon could also limit the offer to new customers, with periodic free upgrade offers to loyal customers, thus making the leeching a one time deal. It could be worth while, since consumers would be locked into Amazon.

The main concern would be if other vendors followed suit. In those cases, people may simply start obtaining multiple tablets from multiple vendors in order to get the best deals. Even though it adds an element of inconvenience for the consumer, it would still be more convenient than things were a few years ago.