I thought the idea behind the netbook was for it to be a smaller, cheaper option to a laptop computer. Well, Nokia (NYSE: NOK) has decided that it doesn't want to leave out those who prefer to pay a lot for their tech products, announcing that its new Booklet 3G netbook will carry a price tag of $820! Therein lies the problem that NOK is going to face when selling the new Booklet. The allure of netbooks is that they can provide the power of a computer, without all the bells and whistles. You basically buy a netbook so you can have the internet, and that is about all. No hard drives are included because of the ability of web-based applications, so you have a drive-free way of connecting to the internet.
For that reason, an inexpensive netbook will run you around $300, with the high-end gadgets checking in around $600 (until NOK changed that game). Thing is, you can get a basic laptop for around $400, and that includes storage and CD drives . . . so why would you dish out more than $800 for a netbook? Don't ask me, perhaps it is because I am a father of three and our family is on a budget -- but I can't justify spending that much money on a device that will allow you to access the internet and nothing else.
Yes, perhaps it works well for Bill Curtis when he is squeezed into the sidecar of a motorcycle or ordering prime rib on an airline flight; but I just don't think things are going to turn out too well for NOK with this new netbook -- thanks mainly to the price.
Yes, perhaps it works well for Bill Curtis when he is squeezed into the sidecar of a motorcycle or ordering prime rib on an airline flight; but I just don't think things are going to turn out too well for NOK with this new netbook -- thanks mainly to the price.
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