Nokia hinting at notebook computer release

UBS analyst Maynard Um has stated that there is a great chance that Nokia might re-enter the notebook computer market, although this was firmly denied by Nokia's global marketing VP, Anssi Vanjoki in April 2008.

"Given the rise of net-books/dongles sales, convergence between high-end mobile phones and laptops, and forays by computer manufacturers (Apple, HP) into smartphones, we think it is only a matter of time before Nokia launches notebook type devices," said the analyst, clearly not mentioning the already existing Internet Tablets from the manufacturer. Um also said that he expected Nokia's notebooks to introduce themselves in the market by Q3 2009.

Um further explained that his sources state that the notebook, or tablet PC might include a 9" or 10" display, with a second OLED display, NFC (near field communication), HDMI output, and Linux operating system. If such computer does make its way into the market, it will most probably run on Nokia's widely used Maemo distribution of Linux.

It will certainly not be the first time Nokia plays in the computing market. In 1980, Nokia Data and Ericsson Information Systems had built a computer, the Nokia MikroMikko 1. Nokia Data was later sold to ICL, which became part of the Fujitsu group.

[via Cellular-News]