I don't think it's absurd. The $100 purchase price is a tiny fraction of the all-in cost of the phone, and if you're touting its usefulness in lieu of a laptop,

I don't think it's absurd. The $100 purchase price is a tiny fraction of the all-in cost of the phone, and if you're touting its usefulness in lieu of a laptop, you're talking about using a large amount of data, which usually means an expensive voice+data plan ($600-800/yr). Otherwise, a laptop and using the internet at one's local library is a much better option if utility and saving money are the priorities. A prepaid flip phone is usually better for actually making calls.