Review: Nokia N810 Internet Tablet

The problem with pocket-sized internet gadgets (such as smartphones) is that the web facilities they offer tend to be patchy.

Even the all-conquering iPhone, for instance, fails to properly display some websites, and is completely stumped by online pages containing Flash animations. This is no good to serious web users, who yearn for a portable internet experience that’s the same the one you get sat at a desktop PC.

Nokia’s new N810 promises precisely this, with the company’s marketing materials boasting that it puts “the entire internet in your pocket”. Happily, the N810 gets web browsing mostly right. Having used the N810’s browser – a slimmed-down version of Firefox – for several weeks we have yet to visit a web page that it cannot display acceptably.

A quick press of a shortcut button and the browser window fills the whole screen – a wonderfully sharp, touch-sensitive display with a resolution of 800x480 pixels. Similarly, a pair of zoom buttons allow the displayed web page to be magnified or shrunk, as best fits for viewing. All this works brilliantly and the N810 undoubtedly offers one of the finest portable web experiences around.

However, enjoying that web experience depends on being close to a wireless hotspot or carrying a Bluetooth-enabled mobile phone for data purposes, as the N810 has no built-in mobile phone of its own. Some may not consider this a big disadvantage but few people want to carry a second device in addition to their mobile phone (which may offer internet access in any case).

The battery life is a little limiting, with about four hours’ continuous use – not enough for a busy working day. Beyond the internet, the N810 is a powerful portable computer in its own right. It runs a mobile version of the Linux operating system, with plenty of applications available for download.

It has a built-in keyboard that slides out from under the screen, while an integrated stand can be swung out to prop the device up on a work surface. The keyboard is okay for short typing bursts, though the top row of keys is awkward to press. Alternatively handwriting-recognition software can be used, though this doesn’t work very well.

For the user's files and folders, the N810 has 2GB of storage, which is ample for this kind of device, although music fans might find it a little small. There are other faults – the integrated webcam's quality is awful and the built-in GPS receiver, for mapping and directions, is slow to get a lock on the positioning satellites. The supplied software is limited – it’s more fun than functional.