This week a consumer poll found that 60 per cent of Britons consider broadband laptop deals bad value for money. Meanwhile, only 15 per cent thought they were a good option. So, are they really so bad? We don't think so. But let’s look at some of the evidence, starting with some of the laptops you can get your hands on.

The Samsung R720 was garlanded with praise from the technology press, many of whom dubbed it one of the year’s best products in its field. But just weeks after it hit shelves, you can get your hands on one – plus a whopping 15GB of monthly usage – for just £40 per month from 3. That’s a DEAL by anyone’s estimation, surely?

Secondly, the sad fact is that in this climate very few people have got hundreds of pounds lying around to buy a brand new laptop outright. But mobile broadband deals allow consumers to spread the cost. As a result, they’re able to afford a cutting-edge bit of kit that might otherwise linger tantalisingly out of reach.