OQO Examined 127
D4C5CE writes "The vapor solidifies... After years of waiting and an appearance at CES early this year, some people have finally had the opportunity to try an OQO 'Model 01 ultra personal computer (uPC)' at CeBIT America, and published this report. The device is available to a few lucky pilot customers, but for the rest of us they still won't be shipping before this fall, and they have yet to beat the Zaurus line (hopefully also with wireless connectivity in its clamshell versions soon - Are you listening, Sharp?) to justify a $1500+ price tag."
my thoughts (Score:5, Interesting)
I would be worried, though, about the plan to underproduce in the first year. I think they're going for something like the PT Cruiser, where undersupply is supposed to generate immense demand. I personally don't think that it will be a winning idea for OQO. Maybe for the iPod mini. But one of their competitive advantages is being "first-to-market" (in this particular product space of the ultra-portable) and they'd lose that if they tried to artificially underproduce.
I was told that the price will be $1500 and that it would beta on first-class seats of trans-Atlantic flights this fall. But of course that could all change. These signs all point OQO trying to position itself as a luxury product and thus wouldn't do so well in the mass market.
Interestingly, the presenters suggested that customers would have a desktop, laptop, AND an OQO (i.e. an OQO would not be a replacement for a laptop). I wonder if that is too many gadgets. Personally I will be going for a full featured ultralight laptop (IBM X31 and Sharp MM20 come to mind) instead for that price.
Re:my thoughts (Score:5, Interesting)
Interestingly, the presenters suggested that customers would have a desktop, laptop, AND an OQO (i.e. an OQO would not be a replacement for a laptop)
Odd, because if you watch the promo video on their site, the final words are: "It's the only computer you need." It also makes a big deal out of OQO's docking station, saying that it "eliminates the need to sync or use other operating systems." Clearly, OQO's marketers aren't sure how they want to target this thing.
Of course, if OQO only runs Windows XP, it is certainly not the only computer I need. ;)
TrevorIt runs Linux, too (Score:1)
Re:my thoughts (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:my thoughts (Score:2, Insightful)
Ah! That saved me smashing this device down right on. ;-)
Hmmm...I think I will smash it down anyway. And pretend I did not know it was not for Slashdot users ;-)
I don't own a PDA, but if I'd do, than it would be the SHARP Zaurus SL-5500G.
The device in question here has best of both worlds of portable computing (
Classic marketing error (Score:2)
There are plenty of examples of this phenomenon. For instance, who will be left standing in the commercial database wars? Oracle has the high
Re:my thoughts (Score:1)
Awesome device (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:Awesome device (Score:5, Interesting)
I'm with you there. Predicting whether this particular machine will be a success is a bit iffy. It's pricey, the specs may be a bit behind due to the time it's taken to come to market, but to me the concept is all there. Why have a different OS (XP vs WinCE) on a desktop and a handheld when the tech is there for both to use the same for *most* users? No reason.
Consistency is king, and this concept has it. It's just needed an implementation.
Re:Awesome device (Score:3, Informative)
I've seen an iPaq that has both 802.11b and bluetooth. You can buy little keyboard add-ons for them too, and it would cost less than half as much as OQO.
Re:Awesome device (Score:1)
gaming (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:gaming (Score:1)
Re:gaming (Score:2)
For real though do you not realize that carrying this thing would be like walking around with a brick in your pocket. Forget how uncomfortable ti would be to sit down, heaven forbid you don't get the stylus in all the way. Ouch... Hurts bad enough with a 1/2" PDA imagine the extra leverage 2-3 inches more would give ya.
Re:gaming (Score:5, Informative)
I guess.... (Score:1, Troll)
Re:gaming (Score:3, Insightful)
How quickly you Mac people for get the Newton..
Re:gaming (Score:2)
It does everything, and does it well. You could build a NewtonOS device in an iPaq form factor today and it would blow the doors off anything else out there.
Yes, the form factor sucked. Apple made a tradeoff on form factor vs. power that wouldn't apply today.
Re:gaming (Score:2)
Because clearly, the Mac is a superior gaming platform.
/sarcasm (apologies to the Mac fans in the audience)
I agree with the Sharp comment (Score:3, Interesting)
Now that Sony is leaving the US market by pulling the Clie, maybe Sharp will get their shit together...
Re:I agree with the Sharp comment (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:I agree with the Sharp comment (Score:3, Insightful)
Removal of competition, BTW, makes companies MORE lazy, not less.
Re:I agree with the Sharp comment (Score:2)
That's an awful lot of money (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:That's an awful lot of money (Score:2)
That $1000 laptop weighs a LOT more.
C//
Re:That's an awful lot of money (Score:2)
Re:That's an awful lot of money (Score:2)
C//
Hmm Toshiba (Score:1)
Pretty cool... (Score:4, Insightful)
Unfortunately for then I think this is a "Mac" type product. No offense to OQO, but I think Apple would be able to pull off something like this.
Does anyone have an idea how well the screen would hold up to scratches and all, being exposed the way it is?
Peace
Re:Pretty cool... (Score:1)
This would be a really great thing for those of us who don't do super-intensive tasks like gaming on our PCs... Since plugging it into the right peripherals would make it a full desktop PC. Then again, with the $1500 price tag, most people are just going to get a sub-notebook.
Re:Pretty cool... (Score:5, Insightful)
I don't think such a device was meant for such tasks. Keep in mind that this device isn't for everyone, and no device should be viewed as a do-everything device. Not many people edit AV files anyway, but rather just play videos, surf the web, write email, write an occasional Word file and so on, which are all tasks that the OQO should be able to do.
Well, video would be a bit tight on a 10GB drive with XP and no optical reader, but I imagine that larger capacity drives can be stuffed into that thing, but streaming video from a web site shouldn't be a problem, and files can be stored on nearby servers connected to the wireless network.
I doubt OQO would mean the end of laptops, because laptops haven't meant an end to desktops, and desktops haven't meant an end to mainframes, and the installed base of systems in all of those categories have grown. In this case, I think it might fill a good niche.
Re:Pretty cool... (Score:2)
Why? It has a 20GB disk, and a FireWire port. You could always use an external FireWire drive.
Now, with 256M of memory and a 1GHz Crusoe, don't expect it to be super-fast. But it's certainly doable.
Firewire (Score:2)
I wonder if they licensed the term from Apple or not?
Peace
Re:Firewire (Score:3, Informative)
Re:Pretty cool... (Score:2)
Of course as a Mac user he's almost certainly a Final Cut Pro loyalist in any event (as am I), so it would take radical change to switch him to XP in any event.
Of course if Apple did make a similar device, it would sell like hotcakes to obsessed Apple users all over the place. Ever since the Newton was di
Apple (Score:3, Interesting)
You listening? Are you? It simplifies the battery life problem, it simplifies the 'supply of large LCDs' problem, I don't care that the performance is not all that good (provided it's still a G4). I want one. I will give you money for it.
Dave
Re:Apple (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:Apple (Score:1)
Re:Apple (Score:4, Informative)
Apple will be shivering in its boots. With unconditional love like this who needs competitors.
Apple *could have* released this, because the founder is ex-Apple, but Steve Jobs rejected it [macrumors.com]:
Within weeks of leaving his job at Apple Computer (AAPL) in 1999 -- as a lead developer for Apple's PowerBooks -- Jory Bell pitched his former boss, Steve Jobs, his killer idea: a portable PC slightly bigger than a deck of cards that would pack all the punch of a high-end laptop, cost less than $1,500, and give Apple a chance to license its operating system to a product that could render traditional handhelds like the Palm Pilot obsolete.
I thought that was a bad move when I first read it, but in hindsight, he possibly saw a conflict with the IPod strategy.
In any event, you'll probably get your wish as the IPod is halfway there anyway. It's got the hard drive and some basic PDA functions, now it just needs full-blown PDA action.
Re:Apple (Score:1)
Re:Apple (Score:2)
It lacks a kb, the size(the oqo is 2-3x larger) it lacks the color display, and the processor to run mac os x. the ipod is a mp3 player, small, light, quick to navigate... they won't bastardize an mp3 player by morphing it into a PDA.
Re: (Score:1)
Re:Apple (Score:1)
obviously, you can't boot into os X while not "docked" to a computer, but generally how much computing does one do while not "docked"? more or less just watch videos, or listen to mp3s... which my ipod still does otherwise.
the irony is, i've got itunes installed on my ipod. ;)
Re:Apple (Score:1)
Anyone seen any of the various iPad renders? One of them looks an awful lot like this...
PDA vs UPC (Score:3, Interesting)
However, if you must compare them, I think the OQO is light years ahead of the Zaurus. 1 GHz processor, lots of RAM, 10 GB HDD, Firewire, Full-size USB, the ability to run non-embedded OS, etc. I'm personally going to be very willing to shell out $1500+ for one of these. Being able to carry an actual PC (not a quasi-PC) in my pocket is beautiful.
Re:PDA vs UPC (Score:1, Funny)
Re:PDA vs UPC (Score:2)
Do you work for these people or something? It makes quite a bit of sense from a utility standpoint to compare the devices that is if you use them and they are not some glorified toy. If all you want is the newest kewlest then your right not to compare this to a PDA because it is much more. From the standpoint of what it does for the end user it
Re:PDA vs UPC (Score:1)
Re:PDA vs UPC (Score:2)
I have some softcover books about that size and they don't fit well into normal pants or shirt pockets. You can force them in, but it's uncomfortable, and the OQO is probably inflexible so it's going to be a big flat bulge, bigger than anything else I cram into pockets.
Mind you, it still is a very interesting little device, simply not all that "pocket"-fitting to me.
Re:PDA vs UPC (Score:2)
You mis-read the specs and didn't look at the photos. The dimensions are 4.9" x 3.4" x 0.9"
Re:PDA vs UPC (Score:2)
I think this is a case in point to show that a leading zero on sub-decimal numbers is necessary for best readability. Decimal points are tiny and can disappear, depending on the font chosen. I think leading zeros are dropped for aesthetic reasons, but I think it is helpful as a cue, because the decimal spaces the numbers apart.
Re:PDA vs UPC (Score:2)
Re:PDA vs UPC (Score:2)
Re:PDA vs UPC (Score:1)
The Zaurus runs Linux, it's not really an embedded OS. In fact if you plug in more compact flash storage you can affectively install an entire distribution of any major Linux system. It's not that slow but 64M of ram would make OpenOffice start a tad slowly.
If you plug a Monitor and Keyboard+Mouse in to a Zaurus you end up with a system which is ample to use as a full desktop. This becomes awkward as you are limited in expansion slots available, it has IrDA (k
better than my palm, methinks (Score:4, Interesting)
Hell, this here little beauty could replace both the laptop and the palm. Now, instead of carrying a briefcase around, which holds my laptop, power supply, net cards (802.11, ethernet, modem [winmodem builtin
What's the answer? (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:What's the answer? (Score:4, Informative)
The name of the company and the computer, pronounced oh-QUE-oh, was picked at random. It doesn't mean anything, but they liked it because a Google search showed that no one else was using it.
Re:What's the answer? (Score:1)
Re:What's the answer? (Score:1)
Nice Features (Score:3, Interesting)
How much does the AC adapter weigh? (Score:2)
And what good is a computer with a 2 hour rechargeable battery life? [sure it might last 6 hours if you arent using it,but then, um..why would you have it on?]
Re:How much does the AC adapter weigh? (Score:2)
I have a Compaq Armada M300 and the power adaptor is tiny. It puts out 65W but it's about half the size of a PDA. The OQO will probably have a very compact adaptor.
Re:How much does the AC adapter weigh? (Score:2)
Mycroft
Sound good, but... (Score:2)
I recall thinking this would be swell when it was first announced back in the day, but it seems to be a glorified iPod with a color screen and built in keyboard.
Apple talked about using the iPod as your 'mobile home directory' (that feature disappeared) - this OQO would allow you to enter data, which AFAIK, the iPod can't do. However, you could potentially use the iPod for many of the uses mentioned in the article, and can use it for several (contacts, text files, etc.)
Apple! Give me a
Re:Sound good, but... (Score:2)
I don't know, does your desktop PC run MAME?
Well, then the OQO does.
I think they got the size wrong. (Score:4, Interesting)
If you're going into the $1500 price class, you'll need to take on things like Acer's c110 10.4" tablet PC [acer.com]. It's in the same priceclass, has equal or better specs (what's the battery life on the OQO anyway?), and is still smaller than an 8.5x11 sheet of paper and around an inch thick. I'm betting the pen support is better and the ULV centrino will really give the transmeta chip in the OQO a run for the money. Plus I'm betting the RAM and HD are more expandable.
There just doesn't seem to be a realistic compromise between size and function right now, and one of the main reasons why is we're still too keyboard-centric with interfaces. It's just really hard to do even a modest text document on anything the size of a PDA or this thing. Voice recognition keeps being touted as the holy grail and end of all these problems but where is it? I remember VR demos from the 486 days, you can't tell me a 200-400mhz PDA can't manage that much horsepower.
What I'd really like to see is disjointed systems. With bluetooth finally hitting mainstream I want to see a PDA that can autodetect when I've got some portable storage device or HD based mp3 player in my backpack and mount the volume automaticly. If they had that, you wouldn't need much more space on the PDA than just the OS, everything else you could keep on multipurpose portable drives.
Why not speech? Answers... (Score:3, Insightful)
Having worked on such systems, a few reasons (not to say it isn't coming someday...):
1. Audio systems on most PCs, especially portables, have historically been of poor quality so accuracy suffers.
2. You have to wear a properly configured and positioned microfphone, or accuracy again suffers.
3. A
Sony delivered already (Score:4, Interesting)
I have seen Sony Vaio Type U in person. They are sold in shops already. And obviously, the Sony Vaio is more appealing.
BTW, OQO's weight is 14oz (or 397g). Sony Vaio Type U is 550g.
Re:Sony delivered already (Score:2, Interesting)
Re:Sony delivered already (Score:4, Insightful)
In fact, the only fault with the U series is Sony's determination not to useful-sized hard drives in them. I kinda get tired of my need to purchase Sony stuff because it's all marketing and no customer support, but it certainly looks right when it's sitting on the store shelf.
The OQO is a perpetually delayed unknown, and if their business model includes limiting supply to keep people hankering after it, then I think they're getting it wrong.
Re:Sony delivered already (Score:2)
dimensions (Score:1, Informative)
4.9 inches = 0.00012446 kilometers
3.4 inches = 8.63600 × 10-05 kilometers
0.9 inches = 2.28600 × 10-05 kilometers
Ok ok... (don't complain about cm vs mm)
14 ounces = 396.893324 grams
4.9 inches = 12.44600 centimeters
3.4 inches = 8.63600 centimeters
0.9 inches = 2.28600 centimeters
Yes... (Score:1)
Re:Yes... (Score:1)
I keep reading that it's a "Windows XP" system. What does that mean? Is it a general-purpose computer like a desktop or a laptop or not? Or something weird like Windows in a ROM?
Specs (Score:1)
Re:Specs (Score:1)
They run slower than Intels and AMDs of the same speed, but they also use less energy.
Also, I recall reading recently that Linus wasn't working there anymore (but I could very possibly be wrong)
Well, Jack Bauer Had One (Score:5, Interesting)
I've been dying for one since the announcement, and will be first in line to try one (to complement my laptop, multiple desktops and army of servers that I have). Then again, I was first in line to buy a new Newton, the first Linux Zaurus, and the original Rio MP3 player.
I suppose I'm one of the 50,000 suckers [handheldco...rdepot.com] that Handspring co-founder Donna Dubinsky described by saying in a talk I once heard as "50,000 people will buy anything. Talk talk to me once you've sold 200,000." (my weak-memory paraphrase).
Not feeling it.... (Score:3, Interesting)
Now perhaps people really DO want to carry around something this big, but it escapes me as to what they would really want to do with it. Devices in this smaller factor seem to be more suited to trimmed versions of large applications for viewing and light updating/editing of data as opposed to being full time PC replacements. I'll bet good money that by the time this device really hits mass production, there will be better smart phone style devices out there which will offer MUCh more utility while having their costs subsidized by cell phone companies and being overall more useful to the end user.
zaurus owner running to Archos (Score:4, Interesting)
Still a vaporware? (Score:1)
Also, 1G industrial (non-coolable) cpus with 256Megs draws more than 3A of current from 5V, I can't believe such device could run on such small batteries at all (with display and hard drive, at least 5A on 5V, that's 25Watts to dissipate. My omnibook 800CT with 30 Watts dissipation raises it's temperature up to 60-70 degrees of Celsius, and it's volume size is 4 times larger then OQO.
So, t
Re:Still a vaporware? (Score:2)
I don't think comparison with a standard 5V CPU is
Re:Still a vaporware? (Score:1)
The whole point is that this is not a PDA, and does not need to be synced to anything. It's a portable PC which docks for use with a full-size display, keyboard, and mouse. It runs XP because that's what the target market runs on their desktops now, and this device is meant to replace those desktop systems altogether.
Re:Still a vaporware? (Score:2)
Linux compatibility? (Score:3, Interesting)
Yet another wonderful toy being sold with the word "Windows" plastered all over its site, just because that's necessary to sell anything nowadays...
I remember an old joke that stated, basically, that Apple could come up with an amazing computer that fits in your pocket, is more powerful than a supercomputer, and makes your penis bigger, but the first question people would ask is "Yes, but does it run Windows?"
Will this thing be Linuxable/BSDable?
Re:Linux compatibility? (Score:2)
Re:Linux compatibility? (Score:2)
FORGET the GIZMO (Score:2, Insightful)
I'm surrounded by idiots... (Score:4, Informative)
You people keep trying to think that this OQO device is marketed as a oversided PDA with a keyboard. You people seem to think it's too big to fit into pockets. You couldn't be further from the truth on both counts. Why don't you try to see this device in action before passing such ignorant judgment on it?
http://news.com.com/1606-2-5222650.html
This is supposed to be a single ultraportable solution that's supposed to replace a business-oriented desktop, laptop, and PDA. It had a docking station that allows it to hook up a full-sized keyboard, montior, and mouse so you can use it more comfortably and efficiently as a desk environment. It's supposed to replace a laptop because it's ultraportable yet still runs the same WinXP apps that a business person might need (full versions of M$ Office, Visio, etc....not just some watered down PocketPC incarnations of any program). It's supposed to replace the PDA because there is absolutely NO need to sync between a PDA and a laptop/desktop since it will replace all 3 devices.
Granted, this comes with a slow-ass Trasmeta proc, and the movie URL that I showed above, the guy admits it only gets about 3 to 4 hours of battery life even with the Transmeta proc not consuming so much power but with its power-hungry WiFi hardware. You're probably not going to bother to edit audio on this device since it doesn't have any optical drives built-in for you to rip and encode music off CD Audio. Since it's using a Transmeta proc, you can be damned sure you're not going to be doing any video editing with this. You won't be playing EverQuest either, so forget it. This is NOT what the device was marketed for. Keep in mind that this device doesn't even support wired Ethernet on the base device but only through it's docking cable.
For the business executive on the go, this makes the perfect all-in-one solution. Set up a docking station at home and at the office so you can use the device with comfort and efficiency at the places where you get the majority of your work done, and then use the device detached from its docking cable when you're on the move. You will always have your data with you without having to sync your data between PDA and laptop/desktop.
Get it? Probably not, but I've done my part in attempting to educate the ignorant masses.
Re:I'm surrounded by idiots... (Score:2)
The above is something totally detached from life. Business executives don't k
OQO discussion (Score:2, Informative)
read this basic introduction to the FlipStart [handtops.com] as well as this updated [handtops.com] one if you're interested in the FlipStart (and other handtops).
Apple Lawsuit (Score:1)
Pilot customers? (Score:1)
Video Interview (Score:2, Informative)
Vulcan Mini-PC / Flip-start ?? (Score:1)
Are you listening, Sharp? (Score:3, Interesting)
everything I need portable in my sidekick (Score:2)
I don't know about Windows users, but I use my computer to do things, like work, and I remote admin servers, get email alerts, and chat with coworkers. This does all of those things, and has a usb port and a dev kit from danger.com, if you want to write your own apps.
Bummer is the terminal monkey (ssh client) used to b
I've tried it (Score:3, Informative)
Engineering corrections. (Score:1)
2. You need a Sony Handy cam strap. Unless this thing can handle fall from 6 feet.
Versus the competition, OQO already looks obsolete (Score:1)
For example, the FlipStart has a larger, higher-res display (5.6" 1024x600) than the OQO (5" 800x480). The FlipStart has USB 2.0, the OQO has USB 1.1. The FlipStart has a 30 GB hard drive, the OQO a 20. Most of the other specs for the two units are just about the same (e.g., both support a docking cradle).
Furthermore, the FlipStart does all this while bei