[Russ Smith]

The OQO is quite pretty, but sadly underpowered (in both processor and graphics sub-system). OQO chose size as the primary criteria (over power). They're adding a lot of nice features to the mix now, but they can't compete power-wise with the Sony UX and they can't compete price-wise with the ever-growing UMPC and MID offerings.

It'll be interesing to see how this market-space eventually pans out. UMPCs are where laptops were many years ago: They're fighting the difficult dichotomy between power and size. You make the same sort of "pay more for a machine that doesn't do as much because it's smaller" decision with UMPCs today, but, just like laptops, the available power (processor, graphics, and even battery life) is increasing and heat dissapation is going down at the same time. On the other hand, linux handhelds are getting more and more capable, while not compatible with Windows apps. There's a company that's showing an HP hx4700 running a full-fledged version of FireFox(!) under a Linux distro and the Nokia N-series Linux tablets are raising a stir as well.

Windows Mobile is also growing up. The memory model is now pretty respectable and the processing power is getting there too. The real stall seems to be Microsoft's own strategy to keep WM from "competing" with low end Windows installations.