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More…Until you use it, Nokia's N800 Internet Tablet seems impressive. Designed to let you surf the Web and access e-mail while on the go, the $400 device has a svelte design and a strong collection of software. Ultimately, however, working with the N800 is a frustrating experience.
Nokia N800 (SD/miniSD/microSD/MMC Card, Opera 8)
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Pros
Display is crisp and clear
Offers impressive audio quality
Cons
Lacks basic PDA and office apps
Web pages can be difficult to read
Nokia N800 Internet Tablet
N800 (SD/miniSD/microSD/MMC Card, Opera 8) Review, by Don Lipper February 23, 2007
Measuring 5.7 inches by 3.0 inches by 0.5 inch and weighing 7.3 ounces, the N800 is 0.2 inch slimmer and 0.8 ounce lighter than last year's 770. That's not much bigger than a checkbook, and light enough to tote around in a shirt pocket. The N800's bright, crisp 4.1-inch 800-by-400-pixel touch screen display shows photos, Web pages, and videos with near-cinematic clarity. An integrated kickstand lets you prop the device up on a table for easy viewing The tablet also has a swiveling Webcam and two memory card slots compatible with SD, MicroSD, MiniSD, MMC, and RS-MMC cards.
Despite coming from Nokia, the N800 is not a cell phone and does not connect to a cellular network. Instead, it offers 802.11b/e/g wireless and Bluetooth 2.0 for Internet access (if your Bluetooth-enabled cell phone has a data plan). The Linux-based device includes Opera 8 for Web browsing; an RSS reader; an e-mail client for accessing POP3 and IMAP accounts; support for instant messaging via the pre-installed GTalk program only (though other open-source chat software could work on the N800); and a media player that plays audio and video.
Though you can't make cell phone calls with the N800, you can use it to access Internet-based phone services from GTalk and the Gizmo Project. The Webcam supports video calls, but only via a Nokia application currently in beta testing. Nokia says that it is working with Skype to add a mobile version of its app to the N800. The video phone may be the killer app of this device. The setup process was difficult; but afterward, the the phone provided excellent video calling. In my tests, a coast-to-coast video call had no major lags or audio stuttering, though the picture occasionally lapsed out of sync. The camera does require plenty of light to capture an optimally clear image, and being located on the left side of the device makes it slightly awkward to use.
Unfortunately, in other respects the N800 is a bundle of frustrations waiting to happen. Because the device renders Web pages just as they would look on a regular-size display, viewing pages on the small (albeit sharp) screen requires constant zooming in and out. Moreover, some pages wouldn't load properly, probably because they weren't designed to support the Opera browser. Most damning is the N800's lack of basic PDA functions such as a calendar. It doesn't work with Outlook or any other Microsoft Office application either--so if anyone sends you a Microsoft office document, spreadsheet, or presentation, the N800 can't read it and you can't edit it. You'll get lots of practice requesting PDFs.
The device has two good on-screen keyboards (one designed for a stylus, and a larger one for fingers), but I would have preferred an integrated keyboard. Audio playback is excellent with the included headphones and surprisingly good with the N800's built-in speakers. But streaming video playback on YouTube and Google Video looked very choppy. Downloaded video played better, though still a bit choppy at times.
Despite offering incremental improvements in form and software over its predecessor, the Nokia N800 fails to make a compelling case for itself. Neither a PDA nor a cell phone nor a UMPC, the device is ultimately just a $400 toy for technology enthusiasts.
Don Lipper
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User Reviews
Average User Reviews for Nokia N800 (SD/miniSD/microSD/MMC Card, Opera 8)
1 Review Add your own »
- Latest User Reviews 1 review
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Reviewed by: drforbes
Duration of ownership: 6 Months
Strengths: Excellent sound and video; very pleasing and light weight with recent update by Linux that has resulted in being able to update memory to 16GBs; make video calls via Skype or Bluetooth and the ability to load web pages very quickly. Opera browser!
Weaknesses: Presently no Office Suite or the ability to sync with ones computer.
Overall: Presently this product is somewhat limited but it has an Open Source Linux OS. This product is just starting to take off after a challenge was presented to IT/Programers to make applications for this product. This has already resulted in an upgrade to its OS making it able to upgrade memory to 16GBs and a much needed software program for an enhanced Skype application with many more software programs and applications to surface over the next several months.
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User Reviews From Around the Web
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Reviewed by: flyrlfs
Strengths: Great screen contrast. Very versatile. Strong Bluetooth and Wifi transceivers for greater net availability
Weaknesses: Screen is small and font can be a challenge for the 'mature' crowd. :-) The software is still a little buggy and does need some 'linux' knowledge to fully unlock the capabilities of the unit.
Overall: This is an awesome tool. I wanted a lost cost, portable PC. This fits the bill. I strongly recommend the OS2008 update. The performance boost, bug fixes and added features are well worth the 'free' upgrade. OS2008 comes with a *lot* of software add-ons. There seems to be enough internal memory to accommodate all of the features I'm interested in, including grocery list management. :-)
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Reviewed by: pricegruba
Strengths: Excellent quality, near perfect form factor, useful applications, sharp screen for photos and videos
Weaknesses: Limited number of useful applications; screen brightness not uniform
Overall: This Nokia N800 is an excellent laptop replacement for Web browsing. The browser displays full-featured Web pages with photos, not those simple mobile Web pages. It is also a very good MP3 and video player. I also use it to make Skype calls and view PDF files on the go. The built-in camera has about the same quality as those in laptops. The tablet can save the wireless network setting and automatically connects when there is one available. So far, I had difficulty in connecting some secured wireless networks, because the connection control software lacks some important parameters. Overall the Web browsing is fast. I wish there is reliable application that supports Windows Office document viewing. That will be perfect. There are two slots for SD cards. The SD card expandability wins over iPod, although N800 is bigger. Nothing to complain except for the connection issues with some network.
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Reviewed by: jackass124
Strengths: Skype, Convenience of use for travellers, huge development going on right now for apps
Weaknesses: unproven apps which can cause crashes and freezes
Overall: So far, I am VERY happy with my n800...have owned it for a couple weeks, and Skype works great!...perfect for travelling...avoid carrying a laptop...it's a pocketable device!...great for doing email...no word processing so far...built in camera hasn't been used yet...it's very cool, but Skype does NOT support it yet...bluetooth headset for skype is NOT supported (hopefully soon!)..the developer community is working hard to develop new apps all the time, which is great!...the unit is great for a gadget nut like me, or a linux nerd..but, not suitable really for a non-computer person...probably the next versions down the road will be!
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Reviewed by: spring83
Strengths: 1. make VOIP phone call through Skype in N8002. Access to the internet anytime where WiFi is found and check emails too.3. Listening to music or watch videos on big screen at anytime and anywhere
Weaknesses: 1. Don't have MSN client2. Opera in N800 doesn't support Asian languages by default3. system can't display eastern asian languages either4. not well support for MS office documents
Overall: Finally a improved version of N770 has been released - N800. This is a great device which allows you to surf internet and check email anywhere within wifi spot. Also, if you have a skype account, it allows you to make VOIP for free in US and Canada (you need to purchase a plan from Skype for $30 a year). This device is developed under open source Linux system which allows people to develop many useful tools or programs for N800. Many of the weaknesses fin in N800 such as support for Asian language can be solved by installed a third party plug-in. Sound quality from Skype in N800 is very clear, I am very satisfied. With latest firmware updated, this device can support total 16GB (2 x 8GB) SD memory. Compare to $499 (4GB) from iPhone, I really think the N800 is a good value and better than I expected.
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Reviewed by: hjon71
Strengths: Gorgeous display, fast browser, easy to add memory so you can carry all the songs and videos you want.
Weaknesses: The user's guide is pretty much useless, but there are a couple website that are huge help.
Overall: Overall, It is nearly perfect. Lots of useful features, and more are being put out constantly. Thanks Maemo. I recommend the N800 for anyone looking for a small, portable, full function web browser. And it can sniff out a wi-fi connections where other devices can't.
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