At first look, this new wonder-PC knocks your socks off. But then again, maybe not.
After recent discussions about Apple's Knowledge Navigator, and the flop of the "Tablet PC" computer it was interesting to get the press release on the new OQO. (That's "Oh, Que, Oh")
Things are definitely getting smaller, but perhaps too small. Looking back to the days of the 9-inch monitor of the Plus, SE and Classics, I realize we all used small screens at one point and liked it. However, that's about as small as is really practical. The OQO looks like it will fall into the same genre as the Blueberry, with keys so small you can't really do anything product with it. You use the OQO as a hand-held, typing with your thumbs. Built-in Wi-Fi connects you to the web, even though you may not be able to read the tiny web sites. Personally, I still like the concept of the Knowledge Navigator with touch screen or voice recognition or both.
Walter Mossberg's "The Mossberg Solution" has a good report on the new hand-held portable computer "OQO" -- Walt says:
"I have been testing just such a product, the OQO model 01 'ultra personal computer.' It's an almost impossibly small Windows PC with a 20-gigabyte hard disk, a one-gigahertz processor, 256 megabytes of memory, a sharp screen and a tiny built-in keyboard. Its maker, a San Francisco start-up company called OQO Inc., bills the device as 'the world's smallest and most versatile PC.'"
Mossberg claims the device works well and how it plugs into a standard monitor, keyboard, mouse and printer for desktop use like any Windows PC. It's really not a peripheral you have to sync to your desktop -- it is your desktop. Mossberg cautions:
"The biggest drawback is price, the OQO will start at $1,899, more than many larger, but perfectly portable, laptops."
Read all of Walter's column at The Mossberg Solution.
The OQO model 01 ultra personal computer (uPC) is a fully-functional Windows XP computer, with a 1GHz processor, a 20GB hard drive, 256MB of RAM, a color transflective display, and integrated wireless, as well as Fire Wire and USB ports. It is powerful enough to run your most complex applications -- but small enough to carry in pocket or purse.
Whether or not the idea appeals to you -- we realize it's not a Mac -- you should at least watch their QuickTime promotional movie just to see their wonderful history of computers and slick production: oqo_web_update_011904.mov (Second link). But carefull -- best recommended for fast internet only!
See more photos, or learn more at www.OQO.com
Like I said before: I still like the concept of the Knowledge Navigator with touch screen or voice recognition or both. And, I've said all along that until they get good, reliable voice recognition I won't be buying anything smaller than a PowerBook. But the OQO is almost too cool to ignore. If it would run the Mac OS, it might just be small enough for This Old Mouse.
Until next time, happy mousing.
Fred Showker, Editor/Publisher UG Net News
Fred Showker is co-editor of "MUG Info Manager," the User Group Network News service, and a founding Apple User Group Advisory Board (UGAB) member. He was an original founder of the User Group Forum on AppleLink Personal Edition which became America Online in 1988 ... read more
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