No official word yet, and these are basically just rumors circulating around the netbook/tablet community, but Nokia has reportedly completed a hundred engineering samples just waiting to be tested. It wil have a 7 or 9″ screen made by Foxconn, with a Meego operating system. While the Nokia netbook was sold exclusively by BestBuy, Nokia will work with telecoms to sell their tablet.

Was the Nokia Booklet 3G successful? Anyhow, the company has come up with a lot of touchscreen phones so they should pretty much know what they’re doing.

Nokia is very confident about their Booklet 3G, saying that that “enterprises are showing interest in [Nokia's] entrance to the netbook market”.

Heikki Norta, head of Nokia corporate strategy, was quoted by itpro.co.uk as saying “we thought it to be primarily a consumer device, but after the launch a big, growing interest is coming from companies”. He added that while the booklet may not be for mass market, there is a clear demand for the product. They also stressed that the Booklet 3G is NOT a netbook.

Hmm, Intel Atom processor? Check. Smaller than 12″ screen? Check. Wireless connetivity? Check. Yeaaaah, right. Maybe the longer-than-average-running battery or the Nokia stamp could have convinced me but the Intel Atom Z530 would have brought me right back to square one.

The Nokia Booklet 3G is currently backordered from Best Buy for $599.99. If you already have a Booklet 3G, you might want to gift yourself (or your Nokia non-netbook) with one of these accessories from Amazon.com.

We’re getting closer and closer to the release of the Nokia Booklet 3G, looks like. Daily rounds on several netbook blogs have come up with the same result, the Booklet 3G is just around the corner.

It has been available for pre-order from Best Buy for several weeks, but no mention of a release date, and while display models have been popping up on Best Buy stores left and right, Nokia’s first foray into the netbook market remains somewhat elusive. Is this some kind of marketing trick? Whetting the appetite or something? Because at $599.99 ($299.99 with a 2-year relationship with AT&T), someone really needs to want, crave, lust for the netbook to grab it. But since Nokia is already making plans of coming up with a follow-up to the Booklet, then maybe it’s not doing so bad after all.

NokiaMobileBlog discovered a promo page for the Booklet with a definite release date though, and the magic day is November 15. If you haven’t pre-ordered your unit, you can head on over to the nearest Best Buy and get one on that date. It comes with the 12 hour battery and Windows 7.

The Nokia Booklet 3G (Black) finally made it to pre-order status at Best Buy, who bagged the exclusive right to sell the company’s first foray into netbook category. The white and blue ones are still listed as “coming soon”.

For $599.99, you get an Intel® Atom™ processor Z530-powered, 10.1″ netbook with 1GB DDR2 memory and 120GB Serial ATA hard drive (4200 rpm), Microsoft Windows 7 Starter and a “12-hour battery”.

AT&T has it for $299 and a 2-year contract, of course. That entails a $60 a month for 24 months which allows you usage of up to 5GB/month, which means it’ll cost you $1,740. If you plan to get the data plan, then by all means, go ahead. The Nokia Booklet also comes with a 3G slot after all, and that would be an additional expense if you head on over to Best Buy.

In other news, Digitimes is saying that it looks like the company is also happy with how the Nokia Booklet 3G is coming along that they’re already gearing for a newer model of the Booklet 3G slated for 2010.

Two Year Contract With AT&T – is it worth it?

To get the subsidized rate of $299, you’ll have to commit to a 2 year relationship with AT&T at $60/month data plan. The $60/month plan allows you usage of up to 5GB/month (only).

So that’s  $300 + ($60 x 24 months) = $1,740 in all.

As a recent subscriber to a monthly data plan myself, I can understand why this is an attractive offer. For $300, you’re getting a brand new netbook that already has a 3G slot in it. If the Nokia Booklet 3G didn’t come with the built in 3G slot, you’d have to shell out somewhere like $220 for a wireless/3G data card such as the Novatel Mifi – which by the way, is free if you sign a 2 year contract with Verizon.

So hypothetically, you’re saving $300 on the Nokia Booklet 3G and the cost of a data card. (And you get better battery life).

Now let’s talk about the data plan. 5GB/month is paltry – that won’t let you stream videos off Hulu very much. This plan is probably suitable for light internet usage (lots of reading and emailing etc., not so much usage of online multimedia). You can also opt for a wireless connection and probably pay less and receive unlimited data plans. The benefit of opting for a 3G network is it will work no matter where you are.

The benefit of having 3G access on the Nokia Booklet 3G is the fact that the 3G slot is built in and won’t consume as much power as having an external USB. Nokia claims the booklet can stay alive for up to 12 hours. If you plan to use the Nokia 3G Booklet for work, the $300 subsidy ain’t a bad deal at all.

Of course the subsidized Nokia Booklet 3G can be compared to AT&T’s iPhone. Both can accomplish pretty much similar functions (watch videos, surf the web, email), and the iPhone’s data plan is unlimited. If you’re choosing between a netbook and a smart phone, consider how important the size and method of input (near full size keyboard vs. a palm sized one) and output (small screen vs. 10″ screen) is to you.

Bottomline

If you want 3G go for it! Get the Nokia Booklet 3G. If a wireless connection at your home and multiple coffee shops and airports is all you need, don’t. Simple as that.

The 2 year contract part is a mood-killer, but it’s standard practice. If you’re sure about needing 3G access for 2 years, and can afford it, go for it. The Nokia Booklet 3G seems extremely sturdy with its aluminum case and should survive just fine.

Wait, but isn’t the AT&T network already under pressure due to the internet addiction of iPhone users?

Yes. Definitely keep that in mind! You probably won’t have a problem with the 3G network now (I doubt they’d partner with Nokia if this was a serious concern), but as more people buy the Nokia Booklet 3G and get online, you may reach some obstacles.

If you’d rather go for another provider like Verizon, check out the HP Mini 115NR which is available for $200 with a 2 year contract with Verizon. The HP Mini won’t last anywhere near the 12 hours the Nokia can, and it’s only a $100 cheaper (we’re talking 1$,640 vs. $1,740 over two years).

Rumor has it that the Nokia Booklet 3G is down from outrageously overpriced to just overpriced. Originally, Nokia slapped an $800 price tag on their first venture into the netbook category in the UK, but a sneaky tipster got a screenshot of Best Buy’s inventory system showing just how much it will sell in the US. The magic price is $599.99.

Good or blech? When you think about it, the price is waaay better than the $800 but of course with subsidies and all, the $600 price can still go lower (or higher if you consider the $60 a month for two years telecom companies will do you in for).

The Nokia Booklet 3G that will come with standard netbooks specs 1.6GHz Atom Z530 processor, 120GB HDD, 1GB of RAM and Windows 7, also comes a 1280 x 720 (720p) screen, built-in accelerometer, 3G support and GPS with a 12- to 16- hour battery (or so they say) which saves it from being too ordinary for its price.

The screenshot shows that stock had been expected to appear at Best Buy as early as September 25, but as well all know, Windows 7 will be launched in just a little while. Most likely, you can get your hands on one on or after October 22nd.

via Phone Arena

Netbook, Smartbook, Booklet – the definitions

netbook = portable device meant for lightweight computing and internet surfing. They are typically in the $300-$500 price range. Netbooks displays range from 9″-12″, and most netbooks today come with Intel Atom processors and Windows XP.

smartbook = portable devices with ARM chips that are not as powerful as Intel Atom processors. They tend to be cheaper than netbooks and can connect to the clouds via 3G, Wifi and GPS. They range from 4″ to 10″ in size.

et cetera = other grey categories and terms include: smart phones, consumer-ultra-low-voltage devices (CULVs), ultra thin notebooks, MIDs and so on and so forth.

booklet = a smart name created by Nokia’s marketing team to separate the Nokia Booklet from other netbooks and smart books?

Taking another look at this gizmo’s specs though, (Intel Atom Z530, choice between a HDD and SDD, 12 hours of battery, in-built 3G slot) I like the sound of Booklet. I find that it highlights that this Nokia Booklet thingo is serious about being a portable internet device. It isn’t just another cheap netbook that serves as a secondary low-powered netbook.  Moreover, the streamlined design, the PRICE, and the fact that it’s from Nokia and doesn’t come unlocked (yet?) emphasize that this booklet means business.

Thoughts?

News Style Bag with Front Pocket

Cool looking double memory foam bag from Case Crown for $18. Also has a front pocket for the booklet charger etc. Not bad looking at all.

Carrying sleeve with front pouch

These look great, are available in blue, purple, pink, red, lime green and black, and will no doubt come in very handy. They look similar to the MacBook sleeves, but are affordable at only $10.

Vertical Multi-pocket Messenger Bag

Stylish vertical black messenger bag from Case Crown. Examine the material closely before you buy it, it may look a lot cooler than it is. Available for $24.

Black faux suede double foam sleeve

Another good looking but affordable accessory. The sleeve costs $15 and is a good choice if the above colors were a little too radical for you :)

Double foam case with front pocket & shoulder strap

Gorgeous bronze alligator skin case from none other than Case Crown. It’s only right that a premium Nokia 3G Booklet have a classy looking bag to go along with it! Available for $23.