Quote:
Originally Posted by CCDMan
Personally, I think that unless you REALLY need data (and I include text in this) or have to make a lot of calls or texts for real, actual, serious, reasons (real and serious not to include texting/twittering the latest gossip or the precise color of your most recent excretion), a prepaid and fairly simple phone is plenty.
To have more is a HUGE waste of money. The cost of owning a smartphone is HUGE:
Cost of Smartphones Link |
That's disingenuous; you're including monthly charges you'd incur for a landline as well. In addition, that list cherry-picks packages and doesn't do much in the way of bargain-hunting or checking which phones (like the T-Mo G1) which are only available on certain carriers and/or have no analog with another carrier.
Assuming that, like with a smartphone, you get your voice and Internet from the same provider, this is actually
cheaper than having a DSL/long distance/voice package from one of the major landline carriers. When you add in the fact that it's mobile, a mobile plan runs away from anything else in terms of practicality and utility; so much so, in fact, that many people (myself and my wife included) get rid of landline service entirely, and for some--this isn't on a cloud someplace, I actually know some of these people--it's also their primary source of Internet connectivity. Here are some
real numbers:
My former DSL/phone bill: $93, and I provide all the hardware at my expense with the exception of a modem which appeared to be made by Fisher-Price.
My current Verizon bill (primary line): $107 for 1400 anytime minutes, unlimited-everything-else and not only do they provide the hardware, I get new hardware every year (New Every Two + VIP). Also, y'know, I can take it with me. I've never been to Antarctica but I'm pretty sure Verizon has a cell-tower there.
So, for $14 extra per month, I get the device, or basically a $600 Droid X for $168, which I can then resell if I choose for maybe half it's retail value. You may not be able to justify the cost but I for one am glad PCWorld isn't responsible for managing my finances.
Quote:
Originally Posted by CCDMan
I am far from a Luddite. I take astro images with sophisticated equipment and build my own PCs. Our household has 7 PCs, 2 iPads, and 2 Kindles. I just refuse to pay for what I consider to be ripoff data plans.
|
Are any of those PCs online? Pretty sure that data plan isn't free. But it's worth it to you, right? Even if you're just "texting/twittering the latest gossip or the precise color of your most recent excretion".
Quote:
Originally Posted by CCDMan
I do have small amounts of both Verizon and AT&T stock, however, which both pay nice dividends. I am more than happy to make money at the expense of other suckers!
|
Add some from your landline carrier while you're at it; I'm sure they feel the same way.