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Dec. 1, 2008

UBS analyst Maynard Um wrote in a report today that Nokia may enter the laptop computer market early next year.

“We believe the likelihood of this occurring has increased, although commercial availability is unlikely until August or September 2009," he said.

Given the rise of net book sales, and the overall convergence between high-end mobile phones and laptops, we think it's only a matter of time before Nokia launches notebook type devices, Um wrote.

But Nokia has a good reputation for pushing its design envelope, such as its introduction of the first horizontal-keyboard design with the 9000 Communicator in 1996 and entrance into the Internet appliance market with the 770 Internet Tablet in 2005.

Independent designer Rodrigo Mercado suggested a rolling screen earlier in 2008.

Nokia is also a strong supporter of near-field communications and of mobile WiMAX services.

It is likely that a Nokia laptop or a smaller netbook could include the Linux operating system (either Ubuntu or another Linux flavor), or a double-sided screen and high-definition video output, Um said.

The mobile device’s price is difficult to estimate since Nokia’s high-end products are often a lot more expensive than its competitors’, with all else being equal.

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Source: Nokia.