Motorola Atrix 4G Reviews Roll In, Laptop Dock Fails to Impress
At CES 2011 the Motorola Atrix 4G was one of the coolest things we saw, a powerful Android smartphone that could be placed into a Laptop dock for a larger screen experience complete with a full Firefox browser. The first reviews are starting to come in and so far the Motorola Atrix Laptop dock isn’t earning high marks from anyone.
The price of the Motorola Atrix Laptop dock is one of many factors that are causing reviewers to look down on the laptop dock. When the Motorola Atrix 4G is set to arrive on February 13th on AT&T for $200, but if you want the Laptop Dock you’ll need to pay $500 for the bundle and then an extra $20 a month to use the phone while it is connected to the laptop dock. Alternately you can purchase the dock later for $500.
Motorola Atrix 4G Demo from CES 2011
No matter which price you pay, you’re still paying netbook prices for a device that can only be used with your smartphone AND requires a second $20 a month charge. Not exactly something that will attract users and has led many to question how much ubiquitous connectivity is worth.
Aside from the actual cost of the Motorola Atrix 4G laptop dock, reviewers haven’t been impressed with the usefulness of the device.
Steve Kovach of Business Insider had the following to say in his review of the Motorola Atrix 4G;
The laptop dock feels like a waste. We can’t think of a single practical use for it. The $500 add on is essentially a shell with a keyboard and screen that must be docked with the Atrix in order to function. It feels like Motorola added it just to prove they could get a laptop to run off a phone’s hardware. As one of our colleagues put it: “It seems like they’re on to something, but aren’t there yet.”
Scott Stein of CNet’s Crave blog looked at how the Motorola Atrix 4G laptop dock compares to a laptop and came to the following conclusion;
So, who is this laptop dock for? It’s unclear right now, but probably no one you know. It’s undoubtedly fascinating technology and an eye-catching demonstration, but app support, a faster browsing experience, and a more competitive price are where phone/laptop hybrids need to go next. It’s a compelling concept, and one we’re certain to see revived in future smartphones. For now, I’d say skip the dock, but definitely check out the Atrix Phone
Both reviewers were impressed with the actual Atrix 4G phone, but it looks like until the next generation you will be better off picking up a capable netbook instead of a Motorola Atrix 4G laptop dock. You can certainly find a netbook at a better price!
Category: News
Subscribe
If you enjoyed this article, subscribe to receive more just like it.
Bought the phone yesterday but would not buy the dock. Along with what you say here, which is dead on spot, I would have to give up my current unlimited data plan. With just the phone I can keep my old plan. With the amount of corporate data I move that is huge for me. I can wait or buy something else. AT&T is clearly missing an opportunity.
How much was it nd when would you get it??
I just pre-ordered a Motorola Atrix AND a laptop dock for $431.92. (phone was $199.00, and I got the laptop dock down to $199.00) on a two-year contract with a $15 per month tethering fee. They asked me to change my plan again, but I refused because I would gain nothing and lose my unlimited data allowance. So, I’m living proof it can be done. Just stand your ground, use your leverage and learn to fight back. AT&T sells devices on “channels” (ask your sales rep and they’ll tell you the same thing) so you just have to find the right channel that has the price you want. That’s why the online price is sometimes different than the store price. For example, AT&T considers a brick-and-mortar store a channel. And, ordering over the phone is considered a different channel. Ordering online is yet another channel. Each of these channels can have completely different devices, prices & options. The particular channel from which I chose to order is a “Premier” channel set up exclusively for members of my company. It blows my mind how many people work in my company and don’t know about this! Check with your employer and see if they have a premier channel or if they can get one. You may not be able access the channel I used, but these premier channels do exist and they compete with each other, sometimes ferociously. My advice is to pick a channel, find some leverage and then negotiate; sort of like buying a car and then getting two or more dealerships to participate in a bidding war. AT&T basically just showed you their cards when the rumors of the $150 price leaked, so it’s up to you to shrewdly exploit it.
I have one main issue with the CNET review: I feel like criticism of the system as a whole is mistakenly being assigned to the wrong component. The dock is just a shell. Criticism of the system as a whole should go toward the software on the PHONE. Don’t kill the messenger. I do think the asking price of $500 is ridiculous, but that’s just a psychological marketing ploy to manufacture leverage in a negotiation (ipso facto: I bought it for $200). Go look at JC Penney, and try to find something they’re selling at regular price, or when was the last time you paid full MSRP for an automobile? CNET did have one criticism I found intriguing though: a capacitive touchscreen in the laptop dock would be desirable. But then the price point would probably move up another $300.