Nokia Booklet 3G Review

Introduction:

The netbook market is growing by the day, because more and more people don´t just need internet connection, but they need to be online all the time. This new class of computers are fully functional (even if coming with modestly performing hardware), but still, they are small enough to be carried around daily and anywhere you go. We are not at all surprised to see Nokia jump on the bandwagon and take on the lucrative market niche. If anything, the manufacturer has been developing Internet-oriented devices that cannot be classified as cell phones for quite some time now, like the Internet Tablet line-up, so their move is all but unexpected. As its name suggests, the Nokia Booklet 3G sports a built-in UMTS 3G modem, so you can use the network of any carrier the minute you plug in a SIM card. The slim body of the device features GPS receiver as well and it turns the computer into a fully functional navigation assistant.

Aside from the Booklet 3G, the eco-friendly box (read ugly) contains a charger with short cable, decent headphones with microphone and microUSB (and charger) cable compatible with Nokia cell phones. Our test unit comes with the CP-379 sleeve that unfortunately cannot be used as a stand-alone pouch



Design:

The first thing you get to notice about the Nokia Booklet 3G is how strikingly thinner the device is as compared to normal netbooks and at the same time, how solid it looks. The best part of its body is made of aluminum that also passively cools the gadget, because it´s not equipped with even a single fan. The slim profile means you will just have to put up with the lack of standard connectors for cable internet connection, microphone jack and DVI/VGA monitor port. This is, however, not such a problem as it seems, because the netbook comes with Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n and 3G connectivity (sadly, without GSM module to make it compatible with 2G networks), built-in microphone (and 1.3-megapixel camera), you have the option to plug the multifunctional hands-free into the headphone connector plus there is an HDMI port to connect the device to a TV-set or monitor. Perhaps the major drawback relating to its design is the necessity to clean the glossy front side (comes in black, grey and light blue versions) if you want it to retain its awesome appearance.







You will also need to clean the screen that is almost as shiny. We are fans of matt displays, especially with mobile computers that are often used in less than perfect lighting conditions. Save that, we are pleased with the screen and its native resolution of 1280x720 pixels instead of 1024x600 pixels that is pretty much the ruling standard with netbooks these days. Its measures 10 inches, the size of the letters is large enough even for long reading sessions, can be tilted at almost 180 degrees and its hinge is solid.



The keyboard is slightly smaller than that of a standard netbook, but this is not a problem. The keyboard is not cramped, there is enough space in between buttons, they are large enough and have excellent travel. We would have liked the Enter key better if it was biggerwider, but it won´t give you any troubles once you´ve gotten used to it. What is inexcusable, however, is that the Ctrl key is not the button in the left, lowermost corner as it is on almost any modern keyboard, it´s been replaced with the Fn key. The touchpad controller managed to pleasantly impress us, despite the rather noisy clicks of its buttons. It´s large enough and works quite well, which is really important for a portable computer, since it´s not always possible to use a mouse.

Software:

The Nokia Booklet 3G comes with Windows 7 Starter or Home Premium (like our unit) and we definitely prefer the OS to the now obsolete Windows XP. What you get preinstalled is MS Office Small Business Edition with 60 day trial and F-Secure Internet Security 2010 with 30 day trial. We are not fans of computers clogged with trial and demo versions of whatever software, but in this case we would have liked to see Nokia Ovi PC Suite as well, because the Booklet 3G sports an Atom Z530 processor that needs about 17 minutes to install the 95MB software pack. The hardware resources are virtually similar to those of typical netbooks and the Booklet 3G is entirely useable (but low-spec) computer. Windows 7 will suggest that you turn off transparency the minute you power the device, because it slows down the gadget and we strongly advise that you accept.

The built-in aGPS is an extra feature that is quite rate rare with portable computers, so the Nokia Booklet 3G can one day be referred to as a navigational device equipped with 10-inch display and QWERTY keyboard, when the corresponding software has rolled out, of course. Nokia is expected to release the necessary Ovi Maps version soon and supposedly, it will come with the same maps the cell phone edition is equipped with. The netbook version is, however, still unavailable.

The built-in 3G modem performs great – just plug in your SIM card, enter the necessary settings (APN, username and password) and that´s all, you´re connected to the internet.

The combination of a slow processor and mediocre video chipset means you don´t have proper HD video playback. We managed to play a video with resolution of 1280x700 pixels, but the skipping of frames was more than just occasional and it´s just too bad the device is not based on Nvidia´s ION platform. Sound through the loudspeakers is not anywhere close to what normal speakers deliver, but is passable for Skype chat sessions and both the built-in microphone and camera are good enough for that as well.

Aside from design itself, one of the major strengths of the Nokia Booklet 3G is its 16-cell battery with capacity of 56.8Wh that paired with the low power consumption of the sluggish processor equates to almost 12 hours of uninterrupted work, at least according to the manufacturer. During our tests we played a video at above average screen brightness (normal level for watching indoors) and a fully charged battery provided over 6 hours of continuous playback. Compare that to the Samsung NC10 and its 6-cell battery that keeps the gadget operational for up to 4 hours (8 according to Samsung). Most impressive performance indeed, not to mention the Booklet 3G can work for almost 8 hours if connected to the Internet (that´s what netbooks are all about, aren’t they?) and we rarely needed to bring along the charger during our tests.

Conclusion:

The Nokia Booklet 3G is a high-end netbook – it looks appealing, comes with proper battery, costs an arm and a leg… and that’s all. We do like its appearance, but the mediocre performance makes its relatively high price tag (of almost $300 on a two-year AT&T contract and, can we have your attention please, retail price of $600) unjustifiable. If you happen to be on the lookout for a decent netbook and you´re willing to pay extra for appealing design and extended battery life, the Booklet 3G is just what you need. There aren’t many alternative options available and the Sony Vaio P is the only gadget in the sea of look-alike netbooks we can think of – it´s a bit more expensive, comes with worse battery life, but with really pocket size as well. In our own lights, however, a netbook should be affordable.