The Netbook Navigator: How is a $1200 tablet a netbook?

I just got a pitch for a new device called the Netbook Navigator. The company is taking pre-orders for a 3G-enabled 8.9 inch tablet PC with a multitouch display, 32GB SSD, Windows 7 Home Premium, and no keyboard. It’s a nice looking machine. But the $1199 asking price seems pretty high, especially since the company is throwing around the word “netbook” rather liberally. Last time I checked, netbook meant small, cheap computers with keyboards. Oh yeah, did I mention that this tablet doesn’t have a physical keyboard?

Sure, the tablet has a 1.6GHz Intel Atom N270 CPU and 1024 x 600 pixel screen. But it takes more than that to make a device a netbook.

Don’t get me wrong. The Netbook Navigator looks like a great little machine. It packs 2GB of RAM, supports 802.11b/g WiFi and Bluetooth. It has 3 USB ports, a MiniSD card slot, SIM card slot and it even comes with an optional car charger. It’s also available with a 64GB or 128GB SSD if you’re willing to pay a higher price. The tablet measures 10″ x 6.6″ x 0.8″ and weighs just 2 pounds. On the down side, it has a 2200mAh battery that’s good for just 3 to 4 hours. Oh yeah, and it’s really expensive.

You can find more details at the Netbook Navigator web site. The 8.9 inch model is scheduled to ship in late February. The company also plans to release a 7 inch version.

Update: I’ve just heard from the folks at Netbook Navigator that they didn’t appreciate me sharing the pricing (which you do have to register in order to see, but which you can automatically see once you register for an account). The company does, however, plan to offer a base model for about $799 with less storage, RAM, and no 3G once production ramps up later this year.

Posted on Sunday, January 17th, 2010, 10:06 am by Brad Linder | 22 Comments

lccurtis1

To sum it up in 2 words “NO WAY”
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Claudio Miranda

I could sum it up in one word: “fail”
http://www.umpcportal.com chippy

I've been in contact with these guys and was wondering what price they'd be looking for. $1200 is a price for a small niche of vertical markets. (with SSD, capacative screen, 3G it could be good for hospitals)
Bryce

Is it at least penabled for that much?!??
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http://www.facebook.com/david.gosnell David Gosnell

“Expensive … and ashamed of it, but if we dropped the price now, the mugs who've shelled out for it already won't come back to us, and we value their gullibility.”
http://scottsoapbox.com Scott

They didn't appreciate it because they know anyone that sees $1200 and netbook is going to laugh and move on… which is why they are hiding the price: even they think it's crazy.
Robert

Guys I think we're missing something here… the tablet itself doesn't cost $1,199… the entire package costs $1,199. The update says a base model will cost much less than that. I'm curious to see what it really costs…
Mikez

They need to sub-title their site: “If you have to know the price, you can't afford it.”
Steve

$799?? When?? For that price im totally getting one…
ninetynine

It comes with its own tiny pen, doesn't look like a digitizer pen but for the price they're asking for it might just be one.
http://www.facebook.com/david.gosnell David Gosnell

Maybe it was priced up by the same people as those masterminding the UK.gov social(-networking) engineering benefits laptop hand-out, who are reportedly budgeting £1111 ($1812) per bargain basement machine?
Travis

Definitely not impressed by the spamming all over tablet related articles and YouTube comments that this company has done.
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lccurtis1

Whatever the use is i.e. Hospital, construction site, war. there are several devices with all the same capabilities (Touch screen, 3G included) at a more competitive price. There is NO REASON with today's technology should ANYONE be paying more than $500-$1000 for any type of computing device. You can try to justify it all day but it's just not realistically priced.
Philippe

I place order with this company yesterday. I spoke to them on phone. Very nice people. I need tablet without keyboard. No other tablet is better from what I see. You must understand, this price is for more than just basic product. It also for service, accessory, cellular, improve battery, and special screen. Price is wrong too, I only pay 1000 USD for all of this.
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Parker

Is this guy serious? Have you checked out Motion computing? Or Fujitsu? Or ToughBook? Those tablets sell for minimum $2K some are well over $4K. What kind of hospital would use a cheap tablet to handle sensitive medical records?
Philippe

I place order with this company yesterday. I spoke to them on phone. Very nice people. I need tablet without keyboard. No other tablet is better from what I see. You must understand, this price is for more than just basic product. It also for service, accessory, cellular, improve battery, and special screen. Price is wrong too, I only pay 1000 USD for all of this.
Parker

Is this guy serious? Have you checked out Motion computing? Or Fujitsu? Or ToughBook? Those tablets sell for minimum $2K some are well over $4K. What kind of hospital would use a cheap tablet to handle sensitive medical records?
Wgallo2337

A company that puts up such a website, from A to Z in terms of marketing strategy and DOES NOT places a telephone number for contact, AND DOES NOT displays where are they manufactured, etc….
Allows you, the costumer to communicate only thru EMAIL……….is somehow asking “pplllleeeeaaasseee kick our asses”, our product is not that good, and thats why we dont stand by what we offer!!!!!

The Netbook Navigator: How is a $1200 tablet a netbook?

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