Nokia laptop to debut in October

Nokia’s foray into the laptop space will start next month when the Booklet 3G launches in Europe, to be followed in November by its US debut.

The Booklet 3G will be available to O2 customers in Germany from October 22, for €249 upfront and then €20 per month over 24 months. All you can eat data is available for an additional €25 per month.

US customers will be able to order the device from the same date at retailer Best Buy, but the Booklet will not actually hit US soil until mid-November. The device is being made available for $299.99 on AT&T’s network with a Data Connect plan and two year contract.

Powered by Intel’s Atom processor and weighing in at 1.25kg, the Booklet runs Microsoft’s Windows 7operating system. It features HSPA and wifi connectivity as well as A-GPS , integrated Bluetooth and promises a 12-hour battery life.

Analysts said that Nokia’s decision to go with Windows, rather than a Linux-based OS, which had been anticipated, was the most surprising element of the announcement. But there was identifiable logic in the decision, they said.

“There has been some disappointment with Linux netbooks so far, ” said Carolina Milanesi, research director at Gartner. “Nokia’s brand is big in the mobile phone space but not in the PC space. Having Microsoft on board will give Nokia a little more strength in that market.”

While the Booklet represents Nokia’s bid to get a foothold in a new hardware sector, it is also designed to showcase the firm’s Ovi service portfolio. The launch, Nokia said, was “another important ingredient in the move towards becoming a mobile solutions company.”