02 offers laptop bundle

Mobile operator O2 has gone into the laptop business, offering a choice of two Samsung machines 'free' to customers who sign up to a monthly contract for a minimum 24 months.

For a minimum £29.38 per month you get a choice of a 10.2in NC10 mini-notebook, available for around £300, or 15.4in R510 which is on sale for around £300.

In addition to the laptop, the entry-level deal gives you 3GB for 3G downloads and unlimited Wifi access; £10 more buys you 10GB of downloads. For £5 extra in each case 02 throws in home broadband. And for a one-off £79.29 extra you get a R510 with enhanced Ram and storage.

O2 chief executive Ronan Dunne said at the launch of the scheme: "The emergence of the mini-laptop has opened up a whole new market for ultraportable devices – one that is expected to more than double in size in 2009 alone.

“To date, the subsidised laptop market has received some bad press due to poor equipment and frustrating customer service experiences. O2 is stepping into the market with a promise to turn this around."