Nokia has denied reports that it might consider selling laptop computers with embedded 3G/HSPA modules. Nokia’s global marketing VP, Anssi Vanjoki refuted the reports in an interview with the UK trade magazine, Mobile Today earlier this month.

Vanjoki said: "I have heard the rumours and I can categorically say Nokia is not entering the laptop market."

Although Apple is known for selling laptop computers, Vanjoki said: "They sell some Notebooks, but the growth is from iPods. I don’t think they’re having commercial success with Notebooks."

One industry executive told the newspaper: "It’s surprising because it [a Nokia laptop] would have credibility in that space. And a laptop is no more than a giant flip phone, so I can’t see how it would incur lots of new [development] costs."

There is a brief history of Nokia selling computers though.

In the mid 1980's Nokia had a PC division, and merged it with Ericsson Information Systems, whose origins lay in the purchase by Ericsson of the computer business of Saab. The merged company, Nokia Data was later sold to UK based ICL in 1991 - and later became part of the larger Fujitsu group.

Nokia Data's most notable computer was the MikroMikko 1 - which was sold around the world.

Ericsson for its part sold mainly IBM compatible computers - and even launched a laptop (by the standards of the time) in 1985.

On the web: Mobile Today - Nokia MikroMikko 1 - Ericsson

Posted to the site on 16th April 2008

Posted to: www.cellular-news.com/story/30579.php