Nokia throws down the gauntlet to netbook manufacturers introducing its Booklet 3G. Thin, light, fast and 12 hours of mobile computing goodness.Today Nokia revealed its long anticipated entry into the laptop  or what may now be more aptly described as the netbook market. Since the Asus EeePC 700 was launched way back in 2008 the tendency for big brands to manufacture small and ultra-portable mobile computing devices has increased exponentially. When Asus first graced the marketplace many considered the move an advertising gimmick, nothing more than a mere ‘puff’ in order to stimulate their public perception. It would appear however that Asus anticipated that which many failed to do, the economic downturn.

Whilst ultra-portable netbooks as they would become known began to become increasingly popular with students and commuters, slowly the rest of the world began to embrace the trend turning a risky sales puff into a netbook pandemic. Whilst early adopters suffered at the hands of power hungry mobile processors, with Intel creating the Atom processor mobile computing has skyrocketed, bringing exceptional mobile power without the labour on small lightweight battery cells. Many netbooks have come and gone in the past twelve months, some prompting murmurs of ‘the next big thing’ but none have truly harnessed the ultra-portable device’s potential. This brings me neatly onto the Nokia Booklet 3G.

The device is powered by an Intel Atom processor, 120GB hard drive and with a 10.1-inch display this laptop will illuminate even your longest journey thanks to an impressive 12 hours battery life. It is 2cm (0.78 inch) thick, and only weighs 1.25 kg whilst remaining packed full of features include built in 3G/ HSPA for mobile internet, anywehere. An integrated A-GPS chip and Wi-Fi will ensure that you never stray too far from your social networking site of choice. It also comes with an HDMI port for HD video out, a front facing camera, Bluetooth and a SD card reader.

The HDMI out port would infer that the unit will sport a resolution of nothing short of 1280 x 720 (720p HD) easily ahead of most other similar devices which tend to hit maximum resolution at 1024 x 600. Further to this the unit would appear to stray away from the trend of building super-mobile devices from super-cheap and unaesthetic material. Built from aluminium ( taking notes from Apple) the unit looks fantastic from the marketing shots currently available.

Finally Nokia have made it clear that this laptop will not be dressed in Windows XP. One would imagine that this means neither will it be drenched in the disastrous Windows Vista but instead in the upcoming Windows 7 which promises to be more streamlined, user friendly and efficient than ever before.

Any of you who have been holding out on investing (treating yourself) in an ultra-portable device it looks like now might be right about the best time. Nokia’s Booklet 3G should be available through all major cellular network retailers in the very near future.