A price war has developed over Samsung NC10 mobile broadband laptop deals, as broadband providers look to capitalise on strong consumer demand for one of best-rated laptops currently on sale in the UK.

As of today, O2 has cut the price of its Samsung NC-10 deal with a monthly usage limit of 3GB to £29.38 per month over 24 months. Meanwhile, a second deal for NC10, but which features a monthly usage limit of 10GB, has dropped in price to £39.15. Both laptop packages entitle subscribers to a free O2 dongle, unlimited access to 7,500 Wi-Fi hotspots around the UK and a broadband connection of up to 3.6Mb.

O2’s price cuts follow the launch last week of a competing Samsung NC10 offer from 3. Priced at £30 per month over 18 months, this features a monthly download limit of 5GB and a free 3 mobile broadband dongle.

It is now thought that Vodafone could be set to follow suit and slash the cost of its Samsung NC10 packages to compete. Currently, the broadband supplier offers the NC10 for £25 over a 24-month contract, along with 1GB of usage per month. Alternatively, buyers can opt to pay £30 per month for the computer and 3GB of usage per month over 24 months.

Unlike the packages from O2 and 3, Vodafone’s deals features a model of the NC10 which is pre-embedded with a broadband 3G SIM. The offer also features a connection of up to 7.2Mb, compared with a maximum of 3.6Mb for those of its rivals.

The NC10 is regarded as one of the best laptops currently on the market. Upon its release, the device was the recipient of a slew of excellent reviews, most notably from T3. Testers from the technology site dubbed the computer their “favourite new netbook”, while reserving particular praise for its operating speed and its large 10.2-inch LED display.

Jessica McArdle, marketing manager at Top 10 Broadband, said: "It's great to see market-leading netbooks like the NC10 being offered on such a wide range of networks.

“I wonder how long it will be before buying laptops as part of mobile broadband contracts becomes the standard route to purchase and SIM-free laptops the exception."

Today has also seen O2 cut the cost of its offers for the Samsung R510 2GB laptop. From hereon in, customers will pay an excess of just £48.93 when they sign up for a mobile broadband contract with the provider. Meanwhile, those opting for the 3GB version of the R510 will pay £78.29 for the laptop on top of their monthly contract charge.