Free laptops which come bundled with broadband have experience a massive surge in popularity over the past 12 months, according to new findings.
A report by market researchers Strategy Analytics has found that the number of netbooks, many of them shipped as free laptops to be included in mobile broadband deals, has risen to 30.2 million, 79 per cent more than were delivered in 2008.
Free laptops form an increasingly large part of the laptops market, with many of the models on offer being ultra-portable, budget netbooks. To qualify for free laptops, users simply need to sign up to broadband deals from any of the top providers.
According to the study, the leading providers of netbooks are Acer, Asus, HP and Dell, all of whom have machines which are available as part of free laptops packages.
It is thought the popularity of free laptops will continue to drive the netbook market over the next year.
