Nokia to Launch 3G Notebook Computer

Email Print Share Share

THE world's top mobile phone maker Nokia has announced its entry into the computer market with a cut-size notebook.

The Nokia Booklet 3G netbook will run Microsoft Windows, weigh 1.25kg and offer up to 12 hours of battery life.

Nokia said it would announce more details, including the price, in September. But here's a preview:

Nokia said earlier this year it was considering entering the laptop industry, crossing the border between two converging industries in the opposite direction to Apple, which entered the phone industry in 2007 with the iPhone.

However analysts have worried that entering the PC industry, where margins are traditionally razor-thin, could hurt Nokia's profits.

"We are fully aware what has the margin level been in the PC world. We have gone into this with our eyes wide open," said Kai Oistamo, the head of Nokia's phone unit.

"There's really an opportunity to bring fresh perspective to the PC world," he said, adding that Nokia would introduce extended battery life and continuous connectivity.

Nokia has produced PCs before, but divested the unit in 1991 when it started to focus on the mobile phone industry.

Gartner analyst Carolina Milanesi said the success of Nokia's netbook may depend on how well it stood out from other products.

"The question is: How will Nokia differentiate? This is already a crowded market," she said.

"If they manage to differentiate it's going to give them competitive advantage."

With Reuters and AFP and news.com.au