OrangeBox | # 1 | 2009-12-09, 00:45 | Report

Let me explain...If we take an N900 with a hypothetical $500 price and compare the hardware internals of an identically priced laptop, it is clear that the N900 should cost about $150-200.

And no, I don't believe that the 3.5 inch touch screen costs more than a 17 inch non-touch, or a 32GB flash costs more than a 500GB HD, or Maemo with Nokia customizations costs more than Windows 7, or the GSM/HSPA radio costs more than 802.11n. If you follow this line of reasoning you come to the conclusion that the N900 (and the iPhone and the BB and the Droid and all other smart phones) are a total rip-off price-wise.

Any counter arguments?

verhagke | # 2 | 2009-12-09, 00:57 | Report

lol,

Simple economics. The fair price is what the market will bear.

And, what about fm receiver & transmitter, bluetooth, gps, accelerometers? Add those into your $500 laptop, and the price won't seem so bad.

Erik | # 3 | 2009-12-09, 00:58 | Report

It probably only costs .20 cents to manufacture a video game for the PS3 too, but you also have to think about what goes into it before it is being produced ie; design, development, programming etc..

texaslabrat | # 4 | 2009-12-09, 01:00 | Report

There is always a premium to be paid for packing features and processing power into a smaller (and/or mobile) form factor. Same reason that you can buy a desktop that will destroy a laptop for performance dollar-for-dollar. If you haven't figured that out yet, well...dunno what to tell you.

OrangeBox | # 5 | 2009-12-09, 01:00 | Report

No FM radio, but there is dual core cpu at 2.2 ghz. no bluetooth but there are 8 usb ports. no gps and accelerometers but 4GB of super fast ram.

Anything else?

OrangeBox | # 6 | 2009-12-09, 01:02 | Report

So how much premium is reasonable? 400 percent sounds right?

texaslabrat | # 7 | 2009-12-09, 01:03 | Report

whatever the market will bear. Are you really that naive, or just trolling?

OrangeBox | # 8 | 2009-12-09, 01:03 | Report

Yes, the market will definitely bear Nokia's supressing supply close to Christmas. This is what's been happening. Ask anyone who preordered 2 months ago and still waiting for the actual device (me included).

verhagke | # 9 | 2009-12-09, 01:04 | Report

8 usb ports on a laptop? N900 has one btw

fra83fra | # 10 | 2009-12-09, 01:06 | Report

It's well-known that most smartphones have a cost production of 100-150$ (Nokia's, iPhone, etc.)
but Theory 2: you produce and sell 100s million of 17" panels and 500GB hard disks so less profit for each one is ok anyway