Nokia introduces Booklet 3G 'mini laptop'
By Tim Stevens 
posted August 24th 2009 7:33AM
posted August 24th 2009 7:33AM
Nokia rocked the world this morning by introducing its spin on the laptop, called the Booklet 3G. If you're the rude sort (like us) you could call it a fancy netbook, what with its Atom processor and 10.1-inch display, but that screen is higher res than your average Eee, and it also sports integrated 3G wireless and a hot-swappable SIM card, so it's definitely trying to define its own niche. It looks to be running Windows 7, which isn't particularly netbooky, and also has integrated A-GPS with a copy of Ovi Maps, HDMI output, a rated 12 hour battery life, and the usual Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity, all in a 2cm (.78 inch), 2.7lb aluminum body that's understated, sophisticated, and should make most Nokia fans very happy -- Nokia fans who are looking for a tiny laptop, anyway. There's a fancy promotional video after the break, and while we don't have any anticipated release date or price just yet, we'll be learning more at Nokia World 09 on September 2. We promise not to make too many Foleo references.
Is this nokia's answer to the iPhone or the Air?
Its Nokia's answer to your mum.
its nokia reply to the whole maemo,moblin,ubuntu and other crap stories
Wait, it's Nokia's reply to their own technology (Maemo) ?
Congrats on being first we are preparing your grand price right now!
Third, Fail.
What OS is it running?
Now that is a surprise! Pity Nokia's Conversations site is down for the mo. The suspense! When they put their mind to it, Nokia can produce some sweet products, their set top box and the E71 being good examples. It's all about execution. Chop chop.
Agreed. Looks like Nokia may give Apple a run for their money if they keep this up. Obviously Windows is a problem, but the hardware is nice. Maybe this will prod Apple into making some decent small laptops. The Air is a joke.
@Nutjob
Nokia were thinking "what would Apple do if they created a netbook?" when they made this, but only in the "how much would Apple charge" question.
It's going to be so expensive you'll pull your eyeballs out. You'll be able to buy an equivalent Dell for less than half the price, I bet.
It's going to feel heavy and bulky. Metal case + big-ass battery.
It's going to look thick. Square edges do not flatter a small screen notebook; even Acer get this!
It's got an Atom processor so it'll be dog slow. It's got an Intel chipset so terrible graphics and drivers.
It'll run Windows so little innovation or differentiation from the myriad of other netbooks out there.
It's Nokia's first PC so they're on a steep learning curve - want to bet against some quality problems??
However, it will have good battery life, a better screen, some nice peripherals like GPS and 3G and will feel very solid compared to most netbooks, including my lovely MSI, so I may be tempted.
How exactly is Windows a problem? Given that around 95% of the worl'd computer users prefer it and netbook owners are flocking to it over the Linux alternative I'd say that it's anything but a problem.
They've taken some design queues from Apple (metal case, glass screen, clean lines) and might be expensive (but who in their right mind would buy Dell?) but pretty much everything else you say makes no sense.
It's 2cm thick and 1kg. In reality it's small and light so it will feel small and light. I'm not sure how Nokia will bend reality to make their hardware feel worse.
Dog slow is a relative term. My MacBook runs fine with Intel graphics, no-one will be running games on this thing for thinking it is a 3D demon.
And what should they run instead of Windows? Linux? Don't make me laugh.
Nokia build hundreds of millions of devices that are smaller, more dense and tricker to make then this every year. They will romp it in.
If you use an MSI, why on earth are you complaining about this machine? It looks very well done.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MikroMikko
so, not the first pc that nokia has ever made, but first for a long while.
As for price, I doubt its going to be apple expensive.
@jakem Please don't make up statistics. Windows is on (just) under 90% of computers worldwide. And we all know it's because it's the "default" OS for PC makers. I know a few PC makers are trying to give Linux a shot, but the average PC user is gonna see Linux and run screaming when they first try to use it.
@jaken, 95% of users and forced to use it.
Haha, wow - how to get the Microsoft astroturfers into action, eh :)
@Jakem - I never said Windows was a problem for the user. I use it 90% of the time. I'm no Macbook Air fan and think that Linux needs to improve a long way before it will be acceptable on the desktop.
What I said is that it's a problem for the company trying to sell you a PC with identical specs for twice as much, with no discernable benefit. Apple can try to use Mac OS to differentiate in order to charge more - Nokia can't and, therefore, are stuck purely with the hardware differences, of which there aren't many.
@ The others who said that it isn't bulky / heavy.
I know it's difficult to trust a random off the internet but feel free to ignore me until you try it yourself. I guarantee that you will find it heavy and bulky.
At 2.7lb (1.22kg), it's over 20% heavier than its competition and, because the metal casing spreads the weight out more from the center than on a plastic netbook, you notice it big time when you move it around.
It's a question of proportions: this may be only 2cm thick but that is quite a lot compared to the width / depth. The real problem is that it is that thick right to the edges. Even the Taiwanese netbook makers don't make that mistake and taper the edges so they are thinner where you see it most often - a visual trick to make it seem much thinner.
Good luck to Nokia, but I'll be surprised if this sells well.
Oh, and @nutjob
There is more than one variety of Intel graphics chip. The ones used with the Atom are especially poor because they clock it down so much to save power and justify charging more for their "normal" products.
Add in the fact that there's no powerful, multi-core CPU to offload things to and things get unbearable. And I'm talking about doing normal day to day jobs like scrolling in applications and playing back videos rather than 3D gaming...
oh SHIT, a whole 2.7 GODDAMN POUNDS.
suck it up dude, i can't believe you're complaining about a laptop under 3 pounds. unbelievable.
Hmm, 20% more weight for a sturdy aluminium case versus plastic. Yeah, people will be rioting in the streets. You probably don't leave your bedroom so you don't realise laptops get knocked around quite a bit. But hey, saving 200 grams is worth destroying your laptop for!
Your theories about the case just don't make any sense at all, but at least you're consistent. You're saying visual tricks are better than actual thinness? You should buy a MacBook Air. Also that plastic cases are have all their contents in the middle? Do you think that the hard drive, battery and motherboard weight more or less than than the case, be it plastic or metal? Also how do you theories apply to someone not actually holding it but having in their backpack or case?
@Fnuky
What are you talking about Nokia's first PC? They were making PC's before you were even born. ;)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MikroMikko
跟手机做的一样丑....
I respectfully disagree.
oh Lord you didnt get the point
Windows7, whee
It has been quite a while since Nokia sold computers. Interesting. Is this running Maemo?
looks like its going to run Windows. makes sense, since they dont want to force a linux OS down the throats of users. Besides, installing a new OS is easy, and those that would want linux would be perfectly capable of installing it themselves.
Wait up. Do you even read the whole article or post what happens to be on your mind based on its title?
I could gather that it runs Windows 7 based a cursory scan of that article yet you come in here and ask if it runs Maemo 5?
What is wrong with you?
Good to see competition starting in this segment.
Oh what a massive let down, it's running Windows! What are Nokia doing? Why not a nice Web OS?
Add a browser, you have a nice Web OS.
Why do you want LESS functionality?
Or better yet, install OS X on it.
HD video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIHWM4liM2g
http://www.swedishwire.com/nordic/799-nokia-to-launch-mini-laptop
look like win inside. now symbiant
Windows 7
This came out of nowhere.
It looks like a nice product. Now, let's hope it doesn't cost much more than 450$...
Also, does HDMI output mean Nvidia Ion?
finally a nice skinny netbook without that bulky vga port! lets hope its below $400
"The computer will include a hard drive and a glass display capable of showing high-definition video, making it a higher- performance device than a stripped down “netbook,” says Nokia Executive Vice President of Devices Kai Oeistaemoe.
So I'm guessing this is not going to be cheap ...
This isn't going to be cheap, I suspect way over $500, closer to $1000, but the "HD" screen is not why. That's only 1280 x 720 which, sadly, qualifies as HD. I very very very much doubt it will be 1920 x 1080. That would be unreadable.
Not necessarily, but I damn well hope so that HDMI port is being powered by Ion. Unless they're using a new Intel chip, that is. This seems like the netbook we've all been waiting for.
Uh, I think the HDMI port is powered by the +5V rail. WTF is Ion? Can you comunicate without using marketingspeak?
Also interesting is the fact that they seem to be targeting this to mobile professionals - at least according to their video. In this context, 3G and GPS make a bit more sense.
HDMI = Presentations in HD?
Not that it's not a perfectly good netbook for consumers. Enteprise-grade products from Nokia usually come in better-than-average quality.
Let's hope it doesn't come with an enteprise-grade pricetag. ;)
I want true convergence - give me this with the ability to place a phone call over a wireless carrier (not voip) and I can throw it in the car, briefcase, etc. If I really need mobility and don't want the booklet - I can remove the sim and throw it in a penny phone.
@thoughtmonster:
Standard PC and projector resolutions have been at or higher than HD for years. You don't need HDMI for high definition, it's just the most convenient cable since it packs the audio in it as well, and is HDCP compliant.
Mmmmmm would buy this if the specs are true, looks sweet.
SWEET!!! :D
This looks mighty tempting - great battery life, integrated HSDPA modem, Win 7, gorgeous looks.
Of course, it all comes down to price...
How much?
"It looks to be running Windows 7, which isn't particularly netbooky..."
Maybe not in your world, but in mine it's been kicking ass!
Yes! Why would you want crippled os, when win7 is offering the full cake experience ;) Symbian, linux etc. would be just pure stupidity on business & entertainment world...
linux is a crippled os?!? wtflol
If the wireless drivers are already preconfigured, then its hardly crippled....
I'm all for W7 as the next person especially on netbooks, but don't ever call linux crippled until you've used it daily for a year.