Last week, Nokia announced its new 3G netbook. It will use Microsoft’s latest OS–Windows 7. This collaboration between Nokia and Microsoft will definitely boost sales for Microsoft.
Users buying the Nokia Booklet 3G can choose either Windows 7 Starter Edition, Home Premium or Professional. The Netbook will be powered by an Intel Atom processor and is priced as $810. When compared to other netbooks in the market, Nokia’s offering is comparatively costly. However when compared to less expensive alternatives, the Booklet 3G comes with a number of features–which justify its price.
The netbook comes integrated with Nokia services such as Ovi Suite 2.0, Music for PC, Ovi Maps and Social hub. It also comes with inbuilt WLAN and WWAN support which allows the user to connect to the Internet using WiFi or mobile networks. The netbook comes with 1 GB of DDR2 RAM and 120 GB storage space.
Nokia’s decision to bundle Windows 7 with its netbook indicates that the two industry leaders are cooperating closely in the mobile computing market. Earlier, Microsoft had announced that it would launch a mobile version of its flagship office suite–Microsoft Office for Nokia’s Symbian OS-based smartphones.
Microsoft needs to promote Windows 7 for use on netbooks to tap the sales potential of this fast growing market segment. The netbook market is growing at a fast rate due to the fact that a large number of users are making the switch to netbooks from laptops and desktops due to cheaper prices and portability.
Microsoft’s earlier offering–Windows Vista was not so popular with netbook makers who preferred Windows Xp and Linux. Microsoft may try to change this trend by pushing Windows 7 as a viable option for netbooks.