Review: Nokia N800 web tablet

Nokia's N800 is a revamped version of the N770 web tablet we reviewed last year and it is good to see the company persevering with the format.

The most notable addition is a neat web camera that pops out left of the screen and transforms the device into an IP videophone.

The camera swivels to point forwards or backwards, enabling see-what-I-see operation.

Also new is a small pull-out stand, which allows the N800 to be stood on its side for viewing.

This is particularly useful when combined with a Bluetooth keyboard because it allows you to do heavy work, notebook style.

The stand doubles as a cover for a USB port and one of two SD card slots – the other is inside the case, next to the battery. These slots give you the option of up to 8GB storage with the newly launched 4GB memory cards.

The storage is needed because the N800 can also be used as a video or mp3 player. What it is not is a cellular phone; but it will link to one via Bluetooth to give you wide-area access when you are out of Wifi range.

The N800’s physical controls are similar to those of its predecessor but it has been extensively restyled with a matt-black case and steel-effect facia. The underside has a curved ridge, giving it a slight upward tilt when laid flat.

On the top edge are the power button and three zoom buttons: two for zooming in and out, and one in the middle for returning to full screen. These are essential for viewing documents and websites on such a small screen and they work well, though never as easily as you would wish.

To the left of the screen is a four-way navigation pad, with a central select button. Below this is another pad with Home, Back and Menu buttons. On the opposite edge are power and headphone sockets.

This arrangement is oddly left-handed because all the controls are at that side of the device. This may have been dictated by the interior layout but it is irritating to right-handers.

At 75mm wide, 18mm deep and 144mm tall, and weighing just 206g, it is easily pocketable without weighing you down. The 4.1in screen has a full 800x400 VGA resolution, which is well adequate; Apple’s vaunted, yet-to-be released iPhone boasts a resolution of just 320x480 on a screen of much the same size.

There are three methods of entering text: handwriting recognition, which is barely usable, without a lot of practice and care; and a choice of two soft keyboards, one for use with a stylus and the other for thumb or finger input. If you tap a text box, the N800 cleverly registers which you are using and throws up the appropriate keyboard.

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