RSSNew Handheld XP Computer Hits Market
By Ed Oswald | Published September 27, 2005, 11:41 AM
Billed as the smallest personal computer available, OQO launched the second version of its pocketable pen-based computer system on Tuesday.
Measuring in at 4.9 inches long and 3.4 inches high by just under an inch thick and weighing 14 ounces, the OQO Model 01+ is the tiniest commercially available system to be running a full version of Windows XP. The first version, the model 01, was introduced at CES 2004.
The 01+ runs on a 1GHz processor with 512MB of onboard memory, a 30GB hard drive, and has USB 2.0 support. Also added in this revision were improvements to the pen-based digitizer and an internal speaker. A new power supply will ship with the unit allowing the user to connect the device to airplane and automobile power outlets.
"Today's introduction of the model 01+ brings our customers more memory, more features and more performance in the same amazingly small package and all for the same price as the original model 01," Jory Bell, CEO of OQO said.
Other features of the 01+ include a Firewire port, built in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, a 5" W-VGA display capable of 800x480 resolution, and a 3D accelerated graphics card with 8MB of video RAM. OQO says battery life is about 3 hours, depending on usage.
The 01+ will be available for a price of $1,899 USD and can be purchased from the OQO online store, or by calling the company's sales line. OQO also announced a price drop on the original unit to $1,499 USD.
"The OQO remains one of the most unique personal computers on the market and is proving to be valuable in industries such as healthcare and public safety," Rob Enderle, Principal Analyst for the Enderle Group said. "In a world of otherwise similar products the OQO stands out as unique, amazing, and incredibly useful."
Jory Bell and Jonathan Betts-LaCroix founded San Francisco-based OQO in 2000. The two hired several engineers and designers to figure out a usable way to shrink a Windows XP computer into a handheld device. The first device won two awards: PC Magazine's 21st Annual Award for Technical Excellence and the 2005 Mobility Award from MobileTrax.
When I heard that the ipod machines had hard drives with up to 30 gigs of memory I always did wonder why they didn't combine an ipod drive with a handheld size and shape and proceed to manufacture a 'handheld laptop'. I guess these people have finally decided to do just that. I have one of the smallest laptops going and I find that keeping the functioning electronics cooled down is a problem and I have noticed that the computers' performance is definitely affected in a negative way when it heats up!! Nonetheless it is nice to see progress in the field of miniaturization.
Score: 0
|Nice surprise OQO !!!
We all waited for OQO 02 but the new OQO 01 is certainly a PLUS :) .
--- http://www.MiniPCs.com
Score: 0
|The tone of the comments here seem to be running along the line of "looks cool, BUT..."
"...a laptop is cheaper." Yes. A laptop is also BIGGER. You seem to be missing the point.
"...it needs a real keyboard." Get a Bluetooth (or USB) one. A real keyboard would make the unit BIGGER. See point above.
"...it needs more USB ports." Buy a hub.
"...PDA is cheaper." Also less capable. If you REALLY wanted to, you could run AutoCAD on the OQO (not that it's a GOOD idea, just that you can).
This is one of those devices that looks really cool, but when you think about it the market's pretty narrow. There's really only two kinds of buyers for this thing: people who really NEED a full-fledged computer this small (fewer people than you'd think), and people who like it because it looks really cool.
Score: 0
|This thing looks pretty nice according to the website. but for 1900 bucks you might as well just buy a thin laptop and get more functionality out of your money. Once its at about 500 - 800 bucks it will be worth the money. But it looks ultra sweet
Score: 0
|I'd have to agree. When the price is a little more reasonable, I'll buy. I spent a little over $350 for a Dell Axim X50v (you can get them for under $300 now), and it has a 624MHz processor, 16MB Video RAM, and works fine for what I need. It's out the door when this things hits $500 or so.
Score: 0
|They need to improve for version 2next year:
1. more affordable price. I think less than $1000 will be great.
2. It need software to syncronize the work with the PC or other things.
3. better to use 802.11G or maybe Wimax in the future.
4. More USB 2 connector.
5. It need a SD card readers
and how about external bigger keyboard as optional. and better if we can connect it to a bigger LCD screen when needed. or we can use in LCD projector ? (without the docking)
Score: 0
|its as powerful as my PC :( i'm obsolete
Score: 0
|Hopefully, you have a bigger monitor and keyboard though.
Score: 0
|This device looks real cool. Its a bit on the pricey side, but the 01 vs 01+ version is only 1500 bucks, that's not really too bad. The first thing I noticed it has no CD rom drive, but then I realized it has 2.0 USB support, which is nice. So you can always buy a USB CD rom or CD/RW or DVD for that matter. I only wish I could test the performance myself to see how it actually works. I can get an idea of performance from comparable 1.0 gig machines, but its not really the same thing.
This device looks nice, and considering I use a PDA, this would be a good replacement. PDA's are nice too, but they severely lack in support, most of the programs are not the same quality as XP apps. This device would satisfy many groups, I just hope its not like Sony and Apple with recent hardware defects.
Score: 0
|Well, I wouldn't suggest driving over it with your car:
http://arstechnica.com/reviews/hardware/nano.ars/3
Score: 0
|Heh, neat article.
Score: 0
|