PC Pro gives the N810 3/6
 

Read the review here. http://www.pcpro.co.uk/pcpro/reviews...et-tablet.html

I can't help thinking that the reviewer didn't really grasp the fundamental concept of the N8x0 series, although he's bang on the money about the PIM functionality.

Re: PC Pro gives the N810 3/6
 

"Ultimately, it's a niche product with potential. If we'd been able to slip a SIM into it and use it anywhere, it would have been a whole lot more."

I don't understand where the reviewer keeps his head.. he's got a phone with a SIM card in it somewhere on his person anyway, doesn't he? Completely independent of whether he chooses to bring the N810 along or not. So what keeps him from using the N810 "anywhere", as he says?

(I would have added the above as a comment to the review, but as that requires a rigorous registering process including even my phone number I won't bother.)

Re: PC Pro gives the N810 3/6
 

This just hammers in what I've noticed for a while - Nokia has NOT successfully marketed the Internet Tablets, as every single negative review mentions either the lack of a cellular antenna or office editing.

It's an Nseries, not an Eseries. That means the focus is on video, internet, music, and imaging. That's it. Anything else is fluff.

EDIT - actually, after reading the first paragraph, I'm almost convinced that putting the Nseries moniker on the tablets was a poor choice.

In any case, I've noticed that reviewer after reviewer knocks the thing for 'missing' something that was never advertised to be included. I personally love my tablet, but like I said, Nokia's done a horrid job of actually marketing the thing.

Re: PC Pro gives the N810 3/6
 

Because its from Nokia people automatically think "phone". They can't get their heads around it.

Re: PC Pro gives the N810 3/6
 

The reviewer is just Slumbering Away, like so many others, through the greatest social transformation since the telephone - the Walkaround-Web!

The entire Internet Tablet line from the 770 to the N8X0 family (including support communities like Maemo, itT, Thoughtfix and others) has been steadily building towards a future that is now, finally, within months of being here - the Always On/Everywhere Walkaround Web - on the Nokia WiMax Internet Tablet.

But, you wouldn't know it from the PCPro article, he's still working from the soon-to-be-ancient cellphone-mentality.

Re: PC Pro gives the N810 3/6
 

I have a feeling a lot of people are going to be disappointed with the WiMAX tablet with outlooks like this.

Re: PC Pro gives the N810 3/6
 

That depends: if you're talking about people who don't do their homework, don't learn what WiMAX is and where it is or isn't... then yeah.

Re: PC Pro gives the N810 3/6
 

Mostly I'm thinking about three things:

1. Availability—Not only the issue of the limited number of metropolitan areas you can get it in, but also signal quality within those areas. 3g is spotty within supposedly "covered" areas (just like regular cellular access, except worse ;)), there's no way WiMAX will surpass 3g in this regard right off the bat.
2. Cost—I haven't researched this point as much as I should, but $40/mo (the price I've heard quoted) is a bit steep for single-device access (well, if you factor in a true cellular plan as well, though VOIP is probably an option).
3. Battery Life—3g certainly can't manage an all-day always-on connection, so it seems highly unlikely that WiMAX will be able to manage it (although I imagine powersaving could be better managed with it than with a negotiated Bluetooth connection).

In the end, I think a lot of people are overhyping what it is and what it offers. Not that it isn't a great piece of tech that's a great first-step in the always-connected revolution, but it is a first-step.

Re: PC Pro gives the N810 3/6
 

Maybe less than you would think; If you're in a place with WiMAX coverage, it would suit their outlook quite well. As well as GSM cellphones a few years ago, when it was easy to fall off a GSM network. You stay where you live, it keeps working, with no "OMG teh clunky 2-Device solution!".

Some people probably will see it as a fulfillment of what they're after; others will take the "use it anywhere" line, and still want GSM. Oh, well.

Re: PC Pro gives the N810 3/6
 

I can understand that to many people a $400 device that in their eyes is mainly useful for browing the web (since they are not interested in vnc, Gameboy emulators and whatnot) is an expensive toy. I also suspect many here would rather have a one-device solution but are willing put up with the tablet's limitations because there isn't such a thing right now.

Re: PC Pro gives the N810 3/6
 

He probably looked at it in terms of overall usability (what people will want to use it for, not what nokia dictates). if, having done that, I am rather surprised that it scored as highly as it did. The whole IT series could have been MUCH more than what nokia has slopped out. Perhaps with the community (despite nokia) it will be.

While I love my N800 (mostly as an ebook reader), had I known then what I know now, I would have just gotten an eee PC or even a cheap laptop :-/.

The N800 is bad enough, but, at least IMO, the N810 is a real run downhill from that :-(. From what I have seen, taking all the bad design decisions (IMO) that nokia has made, the 770 was probably the overall best in terms of usability / value.

I just don't think nokia gets it and seems to get it less as time goes on. :-( :-( :-(.

Sigh.

Re: PC Pro gives the N810 3/6
 

Dictates? Slops out?? Doesn't get it???

...

bigger sigh.

Re: PC Pro gives the N810 3/6
 

Overall usability? It does exactly what it is supposed to do and it does it very, very well. I was just showing it off to some friends of mine who had never used Linux or a mobile internet device, they thought it was the coolest thing ever (even after I told them the price). And, since it does run Linux, it does things is NOT supposed to do very, very well. ;)

I love the design of the N810, I really don't thing Nokia could have created a better form factor for this kind of device. If you have one, feel free to share.

Re: PC Pro gives the N810 3/6
 

I don't get the one device obsession. I used to be on it myself (last device was a HTC universal with extended battery - Brick).

But have come to the conclusion that if I want a big screen, then it is not practical to have a 1 device solution. 2 devices works well. 1 big screen and then any phone (with 3G and BT support) you want.

Until there is a change in technology, 2 devices works best for me. Still waiting for something lightweight that projects straight onto your retina or perhaps a scroll type roll out screen. Then, a big screen and a single device might be an option.

It has allowed me to get a Nokia N82 with great Camera, flash, 3G etc. and when push really comes to shove, I can leave one of them at home etc.

1 device stays in your pocket while you use the other one all seamlessly. Where's the problem.

Also, I assume most people would rather not pay for 2 phone contracts when 1 will do just fine ?

Zuber

Re: PC Pro gives the N810 3/6
 

after reading article after article about the use of the mobile net, im left with thinking that there are two kinds of people out there:

1. everything in a single device, and as small and showoff-y as one can get it at that. here you have the iphone.

2. redundancy and independence, so that ones whole day dont go to waste over a single device failing. these are the people that carry multiple phone, laptops, pdas, blackberries and whatsnot. its the corporate workhorse, where each device has its own reason for existing, and has its own connection to the net.

the N8x0, having wifi and bluetooth, but no mobile connection of its own, fail for both.

they fail for the first group as its a second device to carry around, and one thats bigger then their phone no less.

they fail for the second group because its reliant on a working phone when outside of wifi range. that means that if the phone goes down, the tablet is worthless as well.

sadly, this is why companion devices, no matter how cool they are in the eyes of the geeks, will fail for the common user...

Re: PC Pro gives the N810 3/6
 

I have to disagree. I use my Tablet around the house more than anything, and could totally be sold on its usefulness in that regard. Laptops are big, cumbersome, and heavy, and require a power outlet for more than a few hours.

My tablet offers me 'casual' internet usage. IM, internet radio, light browsing, etc, and I can easily pick it up and take it to the back patio without having to stretch an extension cord, or whatever.

I think the problem is that there's no clearly defined marketing angle, and thus, everyone wants it to conform to their idea, which is notable by the fact that everyone either wants it to compete with the iPhone and have a SIM slot, or compete with their Laptop and do all sorts of laptoppy things, neither of which it is really designed to do.

Nokia's biggest challenge, I think, it 1. figuring out WHAT they want the tablet to be perceived as and 2. adjusting consumers to perceive it as such.

These are both HUGE tasks, not to be taken lightly. Unless Nokia figures those out, the Internet Tablet will always be a niche market item that gets bad reviews from the general public.

Re: PC Pro gives the N810 3/6
 

I've been through all sorts of devices. 1, 2, 3 device solutions etc.

For real heavy duty work, I need the laptop, period. Why ? a full size screen. Not 4 not 5 not 7 inches (yes I can think of those jokes as well) but a full sized screen.

Keyboard, well an external bluetooth one could sort that.

After that, there is the issue of cpu power.

But all the above except the screen size, I reckon could be dealt with by using remote access.

This was one of my main drivers for getting a Tablet.

I've tried Sony Vaio UXs, OQOs, Nokia Communicators, HTC Universals and all sorts of others.

In the end, I figured. Why carry it all with you. Just get a decent sized screen in a slim form factor, anytime internet, leave the PC at home/office and use remote access.

Things like Video and Audio won't really work well, so you need that to be portable and of course you still need to be able to make calls.

So I think something like an N810 + a Mobile work perfectly well together. Otherwise, you are looking at miniture screens.

What I would like to see though is something like the N810 with a tough 5 to 6 inch edge to edge screen. I guess it's a case of waiting for the tech to catch up.

Also, with good handwriting input. As in vista ink input level with very easy corrections etc. (If you have never tried it, you should take a look. I was stunned at how good it was).

Not got the remote acces working quite right by the way. Still playing with ssh and port forwarding.

Also, a problem I found was that upload speed from home is still a bottleneck unless you pay alot for your broadband...

Zuber

Re: PC Pro gives the N810 3/6
 

Re: PC Pro gives the N810 3/6
 

Hence the N800 and N810, not the E800 or E810. The tablet is not intended as a tool for business people, it is intended to be a multimedia device. Nseries products are designed for internet, video, music, imaging, or a combination of more than one of those.

The N95 excels at video and imaging, but does not come with office document editing tools, because that's not what it's intended for.

Re: PC Pro gives the N810 3/6
 

The Walkaround-Web is a 'live' portal into the world of information - everything else will take care of itself once people begin to use it as such.

In the not too distant future, People will be 'checking their Tablets' like they used to look at their watches during the course of their day, but it'll be so much better.

The Nokia WiMAX Tablet plus Sprint's XOhms Service will make it real - always on, always connected - it's about to be a New World.

Re: PC Pro gives the N810 3/6
 

IMHO, Nokia should just follow along with the public impression of the device, add a limited office suite and a PIM to it, and start bundle it with its lightweight phones like E50/E51. There is no use continuing to persuade people it is a "media device": nobody is buying this idea. And why does Nokia need yet another media device, with its N-series line crowded with dozens of phones?

Re: PC Pro gives the N810 3/6
 

I don't see any problem with including PIM and office compatibility, but forcing bundling? Screw that BS. It's a new market segment, and as with all new market segments, it takes time to grow. Nokia happens to have pioneered this one, so the growing pains are worse than usual.

Besides, I'm not really sure where you get the idea that they're selling it as a "media device". I guess you could argue that, as it's part of the N-series lineup, but Nokia really hasn't marketed as anything other than an internet tablet.

Re: PC Pro gives the N810 3/6
 

Can't agree with you -- The problem with people today, especially a large crop of idiot reviewers out there today, is that they fail to read what the box says.

Nowhere on the box does Nokia mention that the N800 has PDA functionality, Office capabilities, or is meant to be a mobile phone.

One should not assume that all Ferraris are supercars. Just the same way that people should not assume that ALL N-Series devices are phones. N-Series devices are largely multimedia/internet-biased, which is pretty much what the N8X0 is about.

As a phone, I rate the N800/N810 0/10

As a PDA, I rate the N800/N810 2/10 for the acute absence of PIM functionality

As a device that allows me to make voip calls, listen to music, watch videos, surf the web, read and reply to emails, blog, I give the N800 an 8.5/10 and the N810 a 9/10 (for the hardware keyboard)

Oh, and I give that review a 1/10 -- clearly shows that the reviewer has no idea what he's reviewing. If he reviewed the iT for what it is advertised to do, and criticises it for that it is properly lacking, e.g. Java for banking applications, no support for sites using the latest version of Flash, iffy video after conversion, then I would be in some agreement. But this?

Re: PC Pro gives the N810 3/6
 

Of course, I meant not the forced bundling but an option to buy a light business phone bundled with a tablet, at a discount. Basically, the entire setup should be treated like a mobile office phone with a wireless handset for easy operation in the field.

The idea comes both from the N- designator and Nokia's marketing materials that appear to address the same audience as their media phone marketing (i.e. young hip urbanites, if you wish).

Yet, the device itself will easily tear any HTC-produced WinMobile-running crap into pieces, given just a few "right" applications.

Re: PC Pro gives the N810 3/6
 

Like you, I have my E51 and my N800. The N800 stays home when I have a big night out and don't want to be burdened with a large device and jokes along the lines of 'Is that an Internet Tablet in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?'

Re: PC Pro gives the N810 3/6
 

im going to say that the moment one allows third party programs to be installed, any kind of labeling or branding will not change that its basically a general purpose computer, and will be used as such.

hell, isnt nokia themselves making a big splash about the N95 being the future of computing? would not the E90 be a more fitting device in that fashion?

and is they plan on making the N8x0 a DMP, they should fix that damn bandwidth issue that makes it unable to play movies at full screen resolution.

oh and btw, unless im totally on deep water, even a N series phone comes with a simple calendar, right?

Re: PC Pro gives the N810 3/6
 

Yeah, I've got to call you on that. Nseries products are focused towards Internet, video, music, imaging, or a combination.

More and more, I'm thinking they should have stuck with the 770 Internet Tablet and never added the Nseries. I don't know that it completely fits the Nseries moniker - yet.

Re: PC Pro gives the N810 3/6
 

I guess it's time to review everything in terms of whether it's a cell phone.

I'm looking forward to a review of my Dell laptop, starting with checkmarks summarizing its faults, such as:

Fits in pocket? NO
Holds Sim chip? NO
Syncs with desktop computer? NO
Choice of ringtones? NO

Re: PC Pro gives the N810 3/6
 

I don't think people are used to the thought of a pocket computer yet. It needs to have a better purpose than "Internet Tablet" :)

Transitional devices like the iPhone aren't even totally accepted. Lots of people get excited by it, but then I show it to others and they just say "I don't need email, web and music in my PHONE".

Its really interesting to get an outside (non-geek) perspective. I'm sure it will get there when the platforms are ready with the right applications. When a company puts out a device and says, "It does THIS really well" and a user can pick it up and say, "Hey sweet I can get my work done on this and browse the web" it will sell. Document editing, syncing and constant connectivity will help with that transition.

Because seriously, if the focus of the IT was on something else and it provided the same internet experience all the reviews would be stellar. While the web browser on the N8x0 is awesome, it pales in comparison to a desktop.

"The new Nokia N810 provides excellent Microsoft Office compatibility on a gorgeous 4.1" 800x480 screen, while providing a best in class web browser based on the popular Firefox. You can get all your work done, keep in touch with your friends on your favorite instant messenger or social website and when you're done, it fits in your front pocket!"

There would be no question of "whats the point of this tablet?"

Re: PC Pro gives the N810 3/6
 

Lol, how's that different, aside from the desktop, than now?

"The new Nokia N810 provides a superb multimedia experience with a gorgeous 4.1" 800x480 screen, while providing best in class web browser based on the popular Firefox desktop browser. You can stream internet radio, keep in touch with your friends on your favorite instant messenger or social website, and when you're done, it fits in your front pocket!"

Re: PC Pro gives the N810 3/6
 

Which is great, but the fact is, features like "excellent Microsoft Office compatibility" don't come free. They require the investment of people and time—people and time that would come from the browser team, or the UI team, or the communication team, etc, etc. Sure, it's nice to talk about, but it isn't as easy as it sounds.

Re: PC Pro gives the N810 3/6
 

It needs a focus that it IS good at, and document editing is something the current tablets COULD do. Multimedia support is weak due to hardware limitations, both in storage and capability (tearing, low bit rates).

The multimedia experience is NOT superb. There is no media management, and video is sub-par. The built in media player is adequate at best, and Canola needs to be installed to give a decent front end.

You buy an iPod Touch and its very straight forward, you fill up iTunes and it syncs down automatically. You can purchase movies and music, subscribe to podcasts and its sync'd. That is what end users need, they are not technical like us.

I love the N810... they keyboard has transformed this device for me, as I like to IM heavily. These are just my thoughts on helping it go mass market :)

Re: PC Pro gives the N810 3/6
 

It is tricky to market these things I guess. Selling something by saying what features it does not have (PIM,GSM, synching,office compatibility) wouldn't work. But by not mentioning it you will get reviews like these.

Re: PC Pro gives the N810 3/6
 

I agree, just pointing out that the marketing should point to what the device is designed for, and that simply adding an office suite doesn't necessarily make it a stellar device all of a sudden. There are people out there (such as myself) that don't really use office docs at all, be it word, excel, or powerpoint, and find the N810/OS2008, in its current form, more than perfect for 'getting work done' and media usage.

I still don't think the Tablets should have been lumped in with Nseries, nor Eseries, for that matter. It almost feels like they looped into the successful one just to take advantage of the marketing, which somewhat backfired, as is apparent in this thread and nearly every review.

Re: PC Pro gives the N810 3/6
 

I use to feel the same way about the one device obsession, but since getting my N800, it was a lot of fun for awhile and I took it everwhere. I now, however, find myself leaving it home more and more. The problem is, it doesn't do ANYTHING really well, including web browsing, for which it is supposed to be designed. For me, if I'm going to carry a second device it might as well be a small laptop, which is ever so much more capable and only moderately more inconvenient to carry. It's gotten to where I leave the N800 at home so much, I wonder why I even still have it. It is what I call a tweaner, not really great at doing anything. The most useful feature I've found is as a better Skype wifi phone than any of the ones currently on the market (it at least allows for logging on to the web at free hotspots like Panera), but who wants to carry around headphones or use it as a speakerphone in public.

As a GPS, the n800 is a poor solution. Very limited software and poor screen for use outside and in a car. As a media player, I'd have to re-encode most of the videos I've previously encoded because of the limited file format support. As a internet tablet, it chokes on most sites that have videos and is otherwise very slow.

In a nutshell, it seems to be a great device for linux hobbists, but for mainstream users that want something that performs a few inportant functions well, right out of the box, there is very little there.

Re: PC Pro gives the N810 3/6
 

There is no such thing as "excellent Microsoft Office compatibility", Microsoft has insured that by changing document formats often and documenting them rarely. Hell, even Office itself fails loading older Office files correctly.

But, as long as you are comfortable with "decent Microsoft Office compatibility", any company that is making office suites for Symbian/S60 (there are three or four) can be persuaded to port its stuff to Maemo, for a reasonable fee. I am guessing the "reasonable" figure from the assumption that they are not making fortunes selling office suites for 240x320 mobile phones.

Re: PC Pro gives the N810 3/6
 

Moderately!? You're kidding, right? On what world is, "requires carrying a bag or backpack" "moderately" more inconvenient than sticking something in your pocket and being done with it? <_<

Er, my point didn't really have anything to do with Office support specifically . . . simply that adding PIM/Office/business applications isn't a cost-free endeavor, and that other core features will suffer from the loss of resources. Nice points, though, I guess. :\

Re: PC Pro gives the N810 3/6
 

Yeah, I don't get most of Sebring's comments, either.

My N800 (and/or N810) come into the car with me for a variety of reasons, a big one being web browsing on the go (no, not while driving :p). A laptop is just too bulky IMO to be even considered now that the tablets are available. Often I just need a movie showtime, business address or something similar and the tablets blow laptops away in that regard.

Re: PC Pro gives the N810 3/6
 

It shouldn't be that way though, walrus. Reviewers, of all people, should do their homework. Period. Complaining by supposed professionals about the lack of nonadvertised (and especially unintended) features is irresponsible. Those folks have an obligation to their readers to get details correct, and when they don't, they are failing.

Nokia certainly shares responsibility for misunderstandings, but at the end of the day it is up to the reviewers to be accurate.

Re: PC Pro gives the N810 3/6
 

I agree 100%. As someone who reviews handsets (and tablets) for a living, it's my job to focus on THAT device, apart from other handsets. I carry an N95 as my personal phone. If I reviewed every handset in context/comparison to that, you'd be hard pressed to find a good one.

I also agree with someone on the idea of the 2nd device. The Tablet, imo, is a perfect balance.

I don't want my phone integrated, because sometimes I don't want to carry such a large device, I just need the phone. However, I also don't want to have to lug a laptop around with me for menial tasks, such as blog posting and cropping pics and streaming media and whatnot.

That's why I can't say I compare the N810 to the EeePC, for instance. The N810 fits in a pocket, the EeePC requires a bag. The story ends right there.