OQO Ultra-Portable Impresses At CES 268
carpoolio writes "One of the most-talked about gadgets at CES last week was the OQO ultra personal computer (uPC). TechTV gave it a Best Mobile Device award, and deservedly so. It's a fully functional PC that fits in your pocket. Running on a 1 GHz Transmeta Crusoe processor, the uPC packs a 20 GB hard drive, 256 MB of RAM, and has a color screen that slides up to reveal the keyboard. The price? Sub-$2,000. Photos available on OQO's Web site. Similar devices have come and gone in recent years, but this one really looks nice." OQO seems to be slowly migrating from vaporware to a release date - a CNET News article notes that "OQO said Thursday that it will begin selling the device in the second half of 2004."
Hmm... (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Hmm... (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Hmm... (Score:3, Funny)
Ex-Term-In-Ate!!!
Re:Hmm... (Score:2)
Press Eyes to Screen for Cheap Laser Surgery (Score:2)
aPC... (Score:5, Funny)
nah... (Score:2, Funny)
ed
Re:aPC... (Score:3, Insightful)
If you had said Windows 98, modern Windows users would have found that amusing as well as the uninformed Linux zealots.
Re:Hmm... (Score:2)
The website is slashdotted... (Score:2, Informative)
Re:The website is slashdotted... (Score:5, Informative)
Re:The website is slashdotted... (Score:2, Funny)
No, I'm New Here (Score:2, Funny)
Is that an OQO in your pocket? (Score:5, Funny)
That's weird (Score:4, Funny)
Re:That's weird (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:That's weird (Score:2)
I also prefer RS232, as it is more universal than parallel port. But I can confirm that PLIP (max 50kb/sec on my 75Mhz laptop) is faster than SLIP (max 10 kb/sec). Maybe they want to allow us faster network connection?
Re:That's weird (Score:3, Interesting)
There are lots of printers and dongles still out there. You just know the one guy who can't run his old copy of 3D Studio MAX is going to be a whiner.
Re:That's weird (Score:2)
Re:That's weird (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:That's weird (Score:5, Insightful)
Data acquisition and sensing is one of the Really Cool Applications for an ultraportable. It's a hell of a lot easier for Joe Labgeek to h4x0r something together that talks RS-232 than USB. I'm glad there's at least one "legacy" port.
Re:That's weird (Score:3, Insightful)
Go on groupstudy.com and see how people complain about the new laptops that don't have a serial port.
Re:That's weird (Score:2)
Go on groupstudy.com and see how people complain about the new laptops that don't have a serial port.
When they instead should be complaining that GPS and router manufacturers continue to be too lazy to support modern interfaces. I'm lucky to have access to a friend's PC to update my GPS -- my own machine is legacy-free, and the Garmin GPS I have is one of the few boat-anchors holding me back from no longer needing a serial port.
Re:That's weird (Score:2)
Exactly what hurts you about having a serial port?
Re:That's weird (Score:2)
Re:That's weird (Score:2)
Re:That's weird (Score:2)
Re:That's weird (Score:2)
Re:That's weird (Score:2)
Re:That's weird (Score:2)
Re:That's weird (Score:2)
Re:That's weird (Score:2)
So my guess is that the weird port is the port for the docking cable.
"Serialized PCI". Cool. You could make a docking port with PCI cards in it!
steveha
Re:That's weird (Score:5, Informative)
This thing is AWSOME! I saw it at CES and I'm seriously thinking of getting one when they come out. It is truely amazing. The only thing I'm not sure of is the screen seemed prone to getting damaged. They also claimed they had it running off the same battery at CES all day and it was still running (so several hour battery life)
Not sure if the pictures on this site show it (it's slashdotted) as none of the other pictures I've seen show this, but the screen slides up about 1/2 way to reveal a little QWERTY keyboard.
Sexy... (Score:3, Funny)
Damon,
Um... (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Um... (Score:2)
Damon,
Re:Um... (Score:2)
In his case, it might.
Upgrade. (Score:5, Interesting)
OQO 1.0 [archive.org]
The only real change I noticed from the original spec was a 20Gb HD, vs 10Gb in the first.
--H
Re:Upgrade. (Score:2)
Does it get as good gas mileage as my flying car?
Not Much Impressed (Score:2)
Nice but.. (Score:2, Interesting)
Re:Nice but.. (Score:2, Informative)
Windows Only? (Score:2, Insightful)
The machines run Microsoft's Windows XP operating system and all the software that goes with it
I know this is pretty much a /. cliche, but I think that it is actually warranted in this case - can you run Linux on it?
I can think of several functional uses that a PC of this size could fulfil running Linux.
Re:Windows Only? (Score:2)
Not mini ITX - Try this (Score:2)
Re:Windows Only? (Score:2)
1. Entertainment pc - video's, music, etc that also has email, web and a few games. The Linux versions of these apps sure look a lot more customizable to the small form factor than most of the Windows versions.
2. Take it with you PC - Dupe your full-size Linux environment on the mini computer and borrow the keyboard, video and mouse when you get to your client site. Why lug a laptop bag?
3. Presentation PC - you can do it with XP, why n
Not a Good Server... (Score:2)
Re:Not a Good Server... (Score:5, Funny)
Is this the ex-Microsoft dude's device? (Score:2)
I couldn't get to the site to see who runs the company.
Is this that device?
Re:Is this the ex-Microsoft dude's device? (Score:2)
Here's an article [eweek.com] describing OQO, Mini-PC and other ultra-portables, all of which are yet to come to market.
RE: Major problem. (Score:3, Insightful)
I don't think this'll be fun to type on, though I'd say it would be much better than the PDA's of today. Looks well constructed from the pictures.
I'll wait for the solid state CF 2.0 GB internal drive. I've had it with HD's in portable devices. I love my iPod, but I've had so many HD's fail on me that I'm sick of replacing them.
Re: Major problem. (Score:2)
Obviously (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Obviously (Score:2)
slashdotting someones pocket? too many request to get in their pants? are those some open ports in your pocket or are you just...
How big was the Newton? (Score:2)
I don't know about putting it in your pocket... maybe if you're wearing a suit or jacket you could load up an outer pocket with one.
Re:How big was the Newton? (Score:2)
See here: [everymac.com]
8.3 x 4.7 x 1.1 inches - 1.4 pounds
uPC at PocketThings (Score:5, Informative)
Soon to be Slashdotted too, I'm sure.
I've found a crusoe roadmap... (Score:2)
Vaporware (Score:5, Informative)
It made
http://slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=02
Slashdot should not be promoting hype from any vendor that has a history like OQO until it's actually released.
Re:Vaporware (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Vaporware (Score:2, Informative)
Didn't win Best of show (Score:2, Informative)
Re:Didn't win Best of show (Score:2, Informative)
Link to TechTV [techtv.com]
I checked this out a couple days ago... (Score:4, Interesting)
Sadly it's probably a niche market item. I hope they find a way to make those innovations really work with a practical product, but I fear they'll be innovating in the field but not financially leading it. I'd love to try one out but don't see it as a practical addition to my tech tool belt.
CharlesP
Re:I checked this out a couple days ago... (Score:5, Insightful)
I'd take one and two docking stations (one for home and one for work), but it has to run Linux.
Re:I checked this out a couple days ago... (Score:3, Informative)
Re:I checked this out a couple days ago... (Score:2)
same here! (Score:3, Insightful)
my questions about the oqo are: will it use tablet edition of xp, and isn't a 1gz transmeta a bit backwards for 9 months from now? i lik
Re:I checked this out a couple days ago... (Score:2)
I don't want to post to
I want to be able to boot into a full Linux install, to use all my day-to-day applications. Not
Picture (Score:2, Informative)
http://www.cnet.com/4520-7912_1-5116369-1.html?ta
customized nano-itx? (Score:2, Interesting)
iPod killer (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:iPod killer (Score:2, Informative)
ARchos [archos.com]
Just image... (Score:2, Interesting)
here: lots of pictures (Score:2)
So tired of waiting. (Score:4, Insightful)
Neat idea, but the company really sucks at delivering. At least update your webpage. They are only 3 months away from not updating it in 2 years. That's just pathetic. They need to invest in some more resources and a PR team.
Uses? (Score:5, Interesting)
Really, what are the uses of these kinds of tiny devices? Heck, for PDAs as well. They're nice toys but they lack power, easy of use and most importantly, a good use. I've only encountered a FEW situations that made me think "Yes, a PDA would be a good tool for this job." and that mostly involves truck drivers and route planners. For the rest I can't seem to find a use for these things. And I'm supposed to seel em for crying out loud.
As I see it, TINY computers ( PDAs and these toys alike ) are like solutions waiting for a problem.
Re:Uses? (Score:2, Insightful)
-lv
Re:Uses? (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:Uses? (Score:4, Interesting)
I use mine for the basics (keep track of appointments, tasks, contacts). I also have wireless so I get email. I have my shopping list on there. I track the calories of what I eat. I keep track of my expeneses. I have a dictionary I occasionally use. I have a street map that also has points of interest, which has been useful. I have a graphing calculator. I can voice record or jot down any ideas I have. I also play mp3s on my PDA (the 256MB card still holds 3 hours of songs even with all the other software on it). And also, it can play games when I'm waiting. I've also used it to read ebooks. There are other things a PDA can do. Different people have different needs or some are creative and find other uses. It's a personal digital assistant. It assists me. It may have no use for you, but you have to be pretty blind or stupid to not see how it can be useful for solving many other people's problems. It may not be the only or even best solution. But for me, it solves many and it's easier to carry then a lot of other things combined.
Re:Uses? (Score:3, Insightful)
Plus it doubles as an mp3 player and voice recorder. Basiclly I use it when and where I don't want to lug around all the stuff that goes with my laptop. I can fit the unit and keyboard in a large coat pocket, along with my cell if I need net access. Look at the Dana, basically a palm os based laptop. For some people, that would do everything they need a laptop for. For many others, it
Re:Uses? (Score:2, Interesting)
I have an Ipaq 3970 running Pocket Windows 2002 and fitted with a dual CF jacket housing a Wifi card and a 256MB CF card. The unit has bluetooth and I also have a bluetooth-enabled phone.
Software on the PDA includes:
PocketVNC,
PockeTTY (a ssh client),
XSForms (create forms on a PC, fill them in on the PDA and then upload the data in XML format back at base,
Pocket Informant (diary/organiser).
In my role as a 'roving' techy, consultant and trainer, I am often away from my main office, where I am
telephone! (Score:3, Interesting)
but, in terms of the market you describe, communications are key. and, there is not a slot. What good could it be in that market? oqo needs to be a bit more focused on the market for this product. fujitsu has been doing this for years, and some of the palmtop pc profiles are downright strange, yet driven by customer needs... barcode readers, technician equipment...
my wish
Re:Uses? (Score:3, Insightful)
How big is this thing? (Score:2)
In other news, Hell freezes over... (Score:3, Funny)
profit!!! (Score:2, Informative)
and to stay on topic, i would really like one of these, but sub $2k isnt sub-enough for me. might even be worth it, but thats hefty for a college student. oh well, pdas get bigger/better, and laptops get better/cheaper. someday ill have the $ to get some neat tech toys...
a tad late? (Score:3, Insightful)
If it had the size of an average contemporary PDA with these specs it'd be ultra, or with the performance of a P4 2.5GHz with a 120 GB HD and 1024 MB of RAM (a contemporary PC) then it'd be ultra too. Right now it's just a bit smaller, a bit lower performance, a bit more expensive... just a different compromise. Windows XP and Office XP on this hardware? Nothing ultra about that.
They're still speaking in terms of: "it will be available in QX of 200Y" though, so maybe they're just waiting for the year ipaq's have these specs and HP is willing to produce them OEM style so they can slap their by then hype-laden brand-name on...
OT but amusing (Score:2, Funny)
Competing device from Antelope Technologies (Score:4, Interesting)
Transmeta's Advance (Score:2, Insightful)
not vaporware (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:not vaporware (Score:2)
-Charlie
Mirror of image (Score:2)
OQO Site Very Slow (Score:2)
No one mentioned the cable (Score:2)
http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=13578
I t is wrapped around the guys neck like a bandolier. It has a bump every 8 inches or so, and each bump is a port. One is for a pop-up ethernet plug, another USB, etc etc. You get all the ports in a beautifully efficient way, no clunky dock or block. I should have put it in the article, maybe for a followup. One thing for sure, transmeta had a ton of
The skinny (Score:5, Informative)
Second of all, it runs linux just fine. The designers have tested it with Red Hat 9 with no problems. They haven't tested BSD, but don't see any reason why that wouldn't work as well; there's some discussion of testing Darwin on it.
Third, I just asked one of the designers about ports. The reponse:
"We've got USB, FW (4 pin), Audio (stereo with "extra" feature lines), 2 docking ports, external 802.11 antenna port and Power. USB is 1.1, FW is 400Mb. On the docking connector, we've got: VGA, LVDS (for digital interface to LCD), Serial PCI (for external PCI chassis/devices), same FW, 2 USB lines, Audio, Power. On the docking cable, we've got a USB -> Ethernet converter with RJ-45 plug, male and female VGA connectors (for flexibility of plugging into devices without additional cables), and so on." There is no serial port on the device.
Fourth, the theory behind the device is to have a box that will convert from a PDA to a desktop machine and back again. You use it in the office, undock it, use it on the train, and redock it to use it again once you get home. No syncing required. It's not really meant just be a turbo-charged PDA.
You want water? (Score:2)
Yes. that IS a joke.
Ya need pretty big pockets (Score:2)
Lots bigger than an iPaq or Palm, altho certainly smaller than a Newton.
But it's much too big for a shirt pocket, and probably too fragile for a pants pocket. Probably destined for a holster or coat.
Other details:
Bluetooth, 802.11b, FireWire, 5" VGA screen w/ digitizer, TrackStik w/2 buttons on the keyboard left edge, microphone/speaker, bette
No they didn't (Score:4, Informative)
Look at the size of the thing:
http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=13578
I spent a lot of time talking to the OQO guys, this is done right. I have not played with the cappuccino, so I can't comment there, but OQO is slick as shit.
-Charlie