Ultra Portable Takes On Windows Mobile

[Mike Temporale]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://blogs.msdn.com/mikehall/archive/2005/03/01/382545.aspx' target='_blank'>http://blogs.msdn.com/mikehall/archive/2005/03/01/382545.aspx</a><br /><br /></div><i>"I have an OQO to play around with for a while, this is a fully functional PC in a palm sized (depending on the size of your hand) form factor. The device runs on a Transmeta processor which seems to scale from 300MHz to 1GHz depending on processor load – the OQO came with Windows XP Professional installed, has a 20GB hard drive, and 256MB Ram – the device has built in WiFi (when I used the device at home it detected my 802.11g and 802.11b networks), and built in Bluetooth support, has USB and 1394 ports, and audio out "</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/images/Temporale-20050302-UltraPortable.jpg" alt="User submitted image" title="User submitted image"/> <br /><br />This really shows how small devices are getting. A full computer, with keyboard and a screen, in the palm of your hand. To think that something this small is more powerful than something that used to fill a room! Just slap on a couple more chips and you could be answering your next phone call on your ultra portable computer! So, how long do you think it will be before we can drop the "Mobile" and just run Windows Smartphone? 8)

[vincenzosi]

I was lucky enough to play with one for a good chunk of time at the CES show, and I have to tell you it's every bit as amazing as we had hoped it would be. The keyboard is great, the stylus is great, and the idea of the cable to connect peripherals is awesome.

I wish I had some disposable income because this is a must-have gadget.

[cdcooker]

Wow, I didn't realize the OQO is this small until I see the pictures here. It is about the size of an old iPAQ, which is not small in today's PocketPC standard, but definitely more than tolerable.

With full version of Windows, this is going to be a lot more useful than PocketPC. I can use a real IE6, real Office 2K3, real WMP10, read whatever foreign languages that I can read, plus a lot more!!

If you put the same kind of hardware features on a Pocket PC, it is going to cost pretty much the same, but you still only get a mere 640x480 screen with a trim down version of Windows.

However, I don't know why it only supports USB 1.1 and 802.11b. I don't see how I can add more internal memory also. 256MB is not enough for XP. Also, is it that hard to put a cheap and small mono speaker on this computer?

Also, I think a clam shell design is better for this machine, with a twistable screen.

[Mike Temporale]

I agree that these look pretty cool, but what about Sync? You can't work on this little thing all the time. You're going to want a full size keyboard, monitor, mouse, more horsepower for some tasks. And when you do, there's no ActiveSync to keep your files, email, contact, appointments co-ordinated between the two devices.

Without Sync, these just won't cut it for me.

[Bacco]

You guys are both right, but all things must begin somewhere. And, I'd still love to get my hands on one of these little babies :)

[vincenzosi]

I agree that these look pretty cool, but what about Sync? You can't work on this little thing all the time. You're going to want a full size keyboard, monitor, mouse, more horsepower for some tasks. And when you do, there's no ActiveSync to keep your files, email, contact, appointments co-ordinated between the two devices.

Without Sync, these just won't cut it for me.

I don't see why this should be a requirement for the OQO. Do any Laptop manufacturers include a sync'ing utility? This is, after all, a laptop replacement.

I understand your point that it's important, but I don't see where it's OQO's responsibility to build that functionality in. Sony's Ultra Light (can't remember the model number, but it's the small white one) doesn't come with any kind of sync'ing utility either, and it's just as unworkable for long periods of time.

[Mike Temporale]

I don't see why this should be a requirement for the OQO. Do any Laptop manufacturers include a sync'ing utility? This is, after all, a laptop replacement.

Latop manufacturers produce docking stations, and the ability to quickly and easily plugin an external keyboard, monitor and mouse. I don't think this has a docking station option. Although, if it does, that would be ultra cool. 8)

Sicne it doesn't have a way to sync, and it doesn't have a "dock", it becomes hard to use this for anything other than goofing around, IMHO. IF they hope to sell this to the enterprise world, they better have a means to enable their users when they are not on the road. Otherwise, it's doomed. Again, IMHO. :wink:

[vincenzosi]

The OQO comes with a cable. On that cable is a firewire, USB, and Monitor port. The OQO also ships with a stand to prop it up on your desk. If needed, the OQO can definitely function as a desktop PC.

I was skeptical too, but the one thing I like about the cable approach as opposed to the docking station is that the cable weighs zip. Seriously.

I highly recommend you play around with it; once you have one in your hands, it's hard not to like it. I even told Jason at the show that he may have to start OQO Thoughts after all

:lol:

[Jason Dunn]

As much as I like the IDEA of the OQO, I just can't see any scenarios where I'd personally find it useful. It doesn't have a real keyboard, and the design is such that you couldn't use it for any real amount of data entry. It's too weak to do much of the multimedia work I'd want it to do...

In terms of synching, you'd only need two solutions: a hosted Exchange account (www.4smartphone.net) and FolderShare (www.foldershare.com). 8)

[dollardr]

Questions for the folks who have worked with this device. We are evaluating it and have found:

1. WiFi radio seems to be very weak.
2. The resolution is great but text is so small its hard to see without reading glasses.
3. Input interface is good compared to PDA's but still difficult compared to what people are used to ( a full blown keyboard).

Concept is great but not sure this isn't a solution looking for a.......???

[nikjones]

I don't see why this should be a requirement for the OQO. Do any Laptop manufacturers include a sync'ing utility? This is, after all, a laptop replacement.

Latop manufacturers produce docking stations, and the ability to quickly and easily plugin an external keyboard, monitor and mouse. I don't think this has a docking station option. Although, if it does, that would be ultra cool. 8)

Sicne it doesn't have a way to sync, and it doesn't have a "dock", it becomes hard to use this for anything other than goofing around, IMHO. IF they hope to sell this to the enterprise world, they better have a means to enable their users when they are not on the road. Otherwise, it's doomed. Again, IMHO. :wink:

You could use a BT keyboard and mouse. The jkotherun blog details a suitable set-up with a Vaio (U750?) which would suit an OQO.