Are netbooks relevant? That is certainly a question worth asking, considering the number of tablet devices that have made their way to the market these days, virtually phasing out the netbook. After all, when was the last netbook announcement you read on Ubergizmo? NEC still flies the netbook flag though as they are working on a 7″ version that boasts an OLED touchscreen display that is still under development.
This netbook will also boast a keyboard that lets you fold it 360 degrees, letting it function as a tablet when required, and whenever you need to return to netbook mode, just make sure the keyboard returns to its starting position and you’re good to go. The thing with netbooks is this – they aren’t really all cut out for power, so would a slow processor make tablet users frustrated with the lack of performance ability?
It seems that NEC’s effort will include Wi-Fi and 3G connectivity, Android 2.3 Gingerbread as the operating system and a 1,024 x 600 resolution display. Known as the MGX, it is touted to hit the stores in two years’ time – which would most probably be obsolete by then, so I am not quite sure why NEC even bothers by slapping a rather insane $1,000 price tag on this.