Nokia gets into the Netbook game
The Nokia Booklet 3G is a full-fledged Windows Netbook.
(Credit: Nokia)Not a week goes by without another electronics giant deciding to hop on the overcrowded Netbook bandwagon. Still, it's unusual when a phone manufacturer decides to cross over. Nokia, long rumored to be getting into 3G mini-laptops or "smartbooks," has finally announced a very real 10-inch Netbook.
Called the Booklet 3G, it has a clear design relationship with its phone line, while still being an honest-to-goodness laptop (as opposed to some sort of smartphone hybrid). Running an Atom Z530 processor instead of the more common N270, it also has:
- An HDMI port
- Wi-Fi
- 3G (obviously)
- An SD card reader
- A-GPS and maps integration
- A Webcam
- Bluetooth
- And, according to Nokia, a 12-hour battery life
The Booklet 3G also runs Windows--as to whether it's Windows 7, Nokia isn't announcing yet, but that's a pretty safe assumption with Microsoft's OS just around the bend.
The other unique feature worth discussing is the Booklet's integration with Nokia's Ovi tools, including the company's maps, music store, and cloud-based Ovi Suite. Nokia isn't revealing yet how much software it'll be adding to the Windows cocktail, but it would be a great idea to add as much of their mobility-assisting software as possible.
No price or launch date has been announced yet. Nokia plans to reveal a lot more on September 2.
Would you buy one of these?
Scott Stein, a New York Jets fan and CNET senior associate editor, has written about tech, entertainment, video games, and viral culture for outlets including Laptop, Wired, Maxim, Esquire Online, Asylum, and Men's Journal. He also appears on the Digital City podcast. In his spare time, you might see him performing improv in New York City (when he's not being a dad). 
I think HP, Dell, et al, should be very nervous. Nokia is the king of commodity hardware, and they're stronger in software without having built any notable PC apps yet.
The video shows it running Windows 7 (without AERO which means Basic) and while there is no word on price, if it stays in the netbook price range I have a feeling it's going to be the netbook to beat. Just look at that feature list!
Wish I could get that little done at my job & still remain employed.
Get it in gear ya'll!
With the netbook, came the possibility of everyone owning a computer. And with that came the possibility of every hardware manufacturing being able to produce one. Don't know if that's a good thing, or a bad thing.
The design reminds me in some ways of Apple's laptops...looks interesting.
It definitely looks good, and I hope the price will be competitive.
- by CatalepsicFox August 24, 2009 5:05 PM PDT
- That's one really hot netbook. I hope they use a EDVO for it's 3G.
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