Nokia Booklet 3G-What I think about it

As you know that I am with Nokia Booklet 3G since last saturday and even posted an un-boxing over the same. So, this came the time for a full review with complete specs and impressions I had in my mind about this thing.

A big opening review and you loose things remained to be spoken about. Talked a lot via pics and via words in my unboxing post about Nokia Booklet 3G and then a long silence of whole one week. It was works that completely taken over me, but still I feel like some guilty.

Before some 20 days or earlier, even I made a post about “Do I need a Nebook? The concerns were what we really from a Netbook like device or why we want to travel with our Laptop? I wished to see more about the genre …

Wiki says “Netbooks (sometimes also called mini notebooks or ultraportables) are a branch of subnotebooks, a rapidly evolving category of small, lightweight, and inexpensive laptop computers suited for general computing and accessing Web-based applications; they are often marketed as "companion devices", i.e., to augment a user’s other computer access.”

Nokia Booklet 3G; Nokia’s surprising entry into the Netbook genre that is still something common people feel confused about, while its getting its pace in Businesses due to its compatibility and heavy duty battery lives. Its still remains to bring common users that much into it, lets take a look what it worth for them.

Specs First:

• ‘Aircraft grade’ Aluminum made super cool and slim body with very well built chassis.
  Am I feeling more affection due to its being the first of its size in my hands? This thing gives you a lock solid feeling like I had with Nokia N900 or my Dell XPS M1530 and the surface is such a shiny thing that you can’t help people getting attracted to it in first sight. Only place you could hurt this is on sharp edges only.

  You could feel the difference if you would have hands on those cheaper Netbooks around like Dell’s or Asus ones. This thing make them feeling total plasticy.  

  

• A glossy 10.1” 1280 x 720 HD Display (it has HDMI 1.2 out for HD video).
  Didn’t tested HDMI yet (my 22” LCD Supports DVI only), though extra-ordinary resolution is picture perfect for me. One must feel great about watching movies over it. Its glossy but still has some kind of UV protection layer in-built and even if its a shiny thing, I didn’t see any trouble working with it in much shiny outdoors.

  

• A Dimensions of 264 x 185 (with hinge) x 19.9 mm with a Weight: 1.25g 
  Just entirely different world that could be felt only after taking this thing in hands. I remember my super cool Dell XPS, which was lighter and powerful for me then was of 2.6 kg.

  

• Intel® Atom™ Z530 1.6 GHz, Intel® Poulsbo US15W fanless chipset, 1GB DDR2 RAM
  Processor numbers (48kb primary cache and 512kb secondary cache) are very good for a netbook and been a core reason for its long battery life, but like many I am much disappointed with the fixed RAM that can’t be increased. All of us kept on crying that what kind of grudge Nokia has against RAM size? I mean Nokia could have presented this thing with 1GB RAM, but at least should have left the option of increasing the RAM. After all, you have decided to go with the ‘worst’ operating system available, Windows 7 Starter edition. Nokia!!! this shows that you will take at least three four years more for making a serious market presence. Why I am that frustrated? Will show you in later part.

  

• Toshiba MK1235GSL 120 GB Super Silent HDD
  Good thing first, being technical I am ware of the fact that how HDD function and seen that however silent Laptops might feel, but still you feel some vibration in lap due to HDD movements. But this thing is damn silent. Probably due to its fan-less design. If you check official specifications, then for this 1.8” and 5mm thick, if something disappoint you, then its only 4200 RPM (if I am right), may be technology limitations. But what’s favourable is its being most power conservative hard disk of today.

  

• Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 500, high definition audio for HDMI
  Obviously you must not been expecting some nVidia or something, after all the priority is lowering power consumption and this thing does a superb job about the same. I really really wish to see some light weight operating system running over it, to measure the real potential of this thing.

  

• Built-in 3G modem (data calls only): WCDMA 900/2100 or 800-850/900/2100
  Yes!! this booklet could hold a SIM/USIM inserted inside directly into it. Probably the biggest selling point of Nokia Booklet 3G and so its even in the name “3G”. Believe me, this is something game changing for otherwise just another new product in market, a blessing to people like me, who were used to connect internet via their phones to PC. That was a double trouble, as even if you go via Bluetooth route, you will remain limited by Battery of Phone as well.

  
  Nokia tackled this issue from double ways, first was the inclusion of CA-126 connectivity cable that was meant to keep on charging your phone, while its connected to your booklet, no matter it supports USB charging or not and second.. why you even need to attach a phone? Plug the SIM directly to the Booklet.

  
  And let me tell you one more thing, against the popular belief, this SIM thing works over non-3G SIMs as well means over 2G too. I got Vodafone, Aircel, Airtel and Idea SIM working over it for connecting Internet. Obviously, what’s been the best is my MTNL 3G, not sure, but I felt this thing provided even more speed than I was used to get with tethering with N82 or E72.

• Integrated GPS and A-GPS
  Its a great piece of hardware and locking capability is as good as Nokia  got in its Navigation Devices, but same, somewhere it seems that Nokia isn’t ready for Laptop market yet or may be our expectations are higher from Nokia. 

  
  Well.. problem is that there is absolutely no way to make use of this feature. What you get is only a side widget, which shows the location and if clicked over it, then takes you to the Web Version of Ovi Maps with the same location in center. Though I found out that you could zoom-in and zoom-out over the widget as well by using Ctrl+ and Ctrl-. They should have at least added geo-tagging in their Social-Hub application.

• Li-Ion 3840 mAh Nokia BC-1S battery for around 12 hours usages
  That’s what we love about Netbooks, longest battery lives, the thing that must have been of prime concern since Laptop genre born in first place. What’s point of calling a device mobile, if it cant go running for even 3 straight hours heavy usages? Though I have heard of MIS Wind and their claims of 15 hours or more battery life, but still 12 hours is longer than most of the netbooks out there. Don’t know that what’s count of cells mean here, but my Dell XPS 1530 has 6 cell battery, while this one is 16 cell.

  
  For me, this goes the real deal as I could think of going out with this even if I see that the battery remained 20%  (I still have more than 2 hours in hands).

• Frame keyboard with two physical layouts available: US (78 keys, 17 mm pitch, 1.8 mm stroke) and UK (79 keys, 16.7 mm pitch, 1.8 mm stroke)
  You might feel some troubles with keys locations due to our long term relationship with 101 keys, but still Nokia design team has done a marvellous job with this one. People like me with heavy typing habits knows that how important it is, if keypad is even a little bit uncomfortable, you just cant have a connect with. But this keypad was something like instant-connect to me. Well spaced keys and very comfortable typing. In fact, I loved the inclusion of ‘£’ and ‘¬’ like new characters (I got UK model).

  
  The only complaint I could make is absence of backlit. True, we don’t see that thing in low priced Netbook of now days, but sometimes, its pointless to have a portable device without backlit keys.

• Camera and microphone
  Tried a little here and there, but didn’t much over it except it got a normal front facing 1.3 MP Camera built in. Great use with Skype Video calling with inclusion of a micro  phone just above it. Nothing special to talk about this thing as its a standard now.
  

• Windows 7 Starter Edition
  I know I am just one more, who started having a grudge against Windows OS after legendary Windows XP era. Their Windows Vista was suicidal and after the same even their efforts with Windows 7 not able to bring back the same trust.
  
  

  If some OS is taking 80% or more of you RAM without doing anything, then even in your wildest dreams, you not gonna get the performance you need. May be Microsoft assuming that everyone who can afford to buy their OS, can also afford at least 2-3 GB RAM. 1 GB won’t do anything good for the OS, which restricts you from even changing wall paper, not by being incapable of, but by  the license itself.

  
  Being with such an operating system sure harming your potential and selling. Its keeping the system completely underpowered in comparison with other open source options like Ubantu. Hope Nokia will at least come up with MeeGo or something for Nokia Booklet 3G otherwise its a complete suicide for them with 1GB RAM. Its unacceptable for a decent user experience for otherwise a superbly designed Netbook.

  Note: Even if you wish to upgrade and go for premium etc, then you will face much decreased battery life than Starter one.

Software package: Remarkable is the inclusion of Nokia Booklet Software Updater, probably for the firmware updates, while the other noticeable software’s are F-Secure Internet Security 2010 Trial and Microsoft Office 60 Days Trial.

Nokia presenting a new app called Nokia Social Hub that could also be opened by pressing Hot Keys Fn+F11. A place where you could keep all of your Social updates synced and also could send receive SMS’s via your SIM. Note that you can’t make or receive calls via the SIM inserted in Nokia Booklet 3G. I tried to call, but it shows ringing on other side, but nothing happens on this side.

Don’t know about other things, but for twitter, it disappointed me badly. Probably, I am used to Gravity or ChromedBird’s easy and intutive interfaces more, but Nokia has to understand that there are many things required in any application handling Twitter. You don’t have Tab for replies coming for you, no special place for yours only tweets and spoiler is even on being top of a GPS/ A-GPS enabled device, you can’t send a Geo-Tag tweet? Ridicules.. I understand Nokia that you are new for this domain, but that wont make me lenient over wrong thing. You must have thought of such things.

Why to buy Nokia Booklet 3G?

If you really serious about buying some decent Netbook, then Nokia Booklet is very much packed with all the things that will find an instant connect with you.

• Amazingly superb build that assures you that you have real solid thing in your hand
• Extra Resolution than opponents enables you to really enjoys the glossy display
• A battery suitable for day long usages that makes you really mobile
• Inclusion of SIM/ USIM slot ensures always available Internet connection on your demand
• Its a Nokia so you never doubt the highest level possible of GSM or Wifi connectivity
• GPS Unit coupled with Legendary Ovi Services helps you find info about place
• Very well built and well spaced keypad that makes you comfortable with it in no time
• One HDMI Out port and 3 USB ports sure it offers best of the things

Why not to buy Nokia Booklet 3G?

All of the praises crash down, when we look at the price tag that is ridiculously higher than one can afford for similar features. Even if we think of buying it on the same price then specs of Dell Alienware  M11x in exactly the same price 36k INR blows any chance for it.

• A much high price tag for the features offered as same sized Netbook range starts from 15k INR.
• Fixed 1 GB RAM that can’t be upgraded really makes it handicapped and a strict NO NO
• Windows 7 Starter Edition I’ve shown that even this one is hog down all the memory and leaves an otherwise superb device with just an average performance. That too coming without any Windows 7 Installation DVD included (may be was missing from my trial device only)
• No Backlit Keys and without scroll Touchpad I agree that most of the Netbooks not provided it, but you already asked for a premium price, so it’s justified to ask the complete high end package.
• No inclusion of any carry case Nokia should have understand that its a Netbook not Smart Phone and you are expected to offer a carry case. You are not going to keep it in pocket. Its small but not that much small.

Well… personally I loved the device a lot and if it wasn’t on trial and these busy days, then I sure would have gone for trying a Windows XP and Ubantu Install over it (or may be I will try in next days I already did). It really made me feel that how desperately I want to have a Netbook and what kind of changes a device like Nokia Booklet 3G could bring for me.

But the biggest fall for the device is a price tag that I just can’t imagine for affording as I know better options are available, even if weaker from here and there. I might loose some of cons but still they will be more value for money than Nokia Booklet 3G as of now.

I feel sorry for Nokia as could understand that they delivered a superb product, but lack of experience in this market and high expectations are a bit over them. Managing lower prices is easy for someone like Dell or Accer, who have years of expertise in this and have it as their core business. Nokia is still new for the market and keeping the price lower was a bit harder to them.

Still all of us, believe that with upcoming MeeGo for Netbooks (can’t be installed over current Booklet 3G due to its Graphics chip), a next version of Nokia Booklet 3G could do wonder for Nokia in this new market. So, all I could say, better luck next time Nokia … this time its for pricy kids only as one of my friend sad.

Nitish Kumar

https://nitishkumar.wordpress.com

http://scifireviews.wordpress.com

http://nitishkumarsays.blogspot.com

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