OQO intros the Model 01+
By Peter Rojas 
posted Sep 27th 2005 7:31AM
posted Sep 27th 2005 7:31AM
OQO announced a long overdue update to their Model 01 ultrapersonal computer earlier today. As its name suggests, the new model 01+ isn't the Model 02 we've been waiting for (that's due out next year we hear), but it is a solid upgrade and comes with 512MB of RAM, a 30GB hard drive, USB 2.0, a 1GHz processor, an internal speaker, and a 5-inch, 800 x 480 LCD screen. The Model 01+ we've been playing with definitely feels like a significant improvement over the original — for starters, it's much snappier and just feels easier to use — but it almost makes you wish they'd been able to release the 01 with these specs in the first place (we'll cut them slack since it was a first-gen product and just be happy that they got it right this time).
I've been drooling over this thing since CES '03. It's a shame I can't come anywhere close to affording it.
How much do these things run for $$$ ?
-- Elias
Unless OQO can price these things out closer to PDA prices rather than notebook prices, they're nothing more than a fringe gadget for the wealthy geek.
They're neat and all, but why drop $2k when you get nearly the same functionality out of a $500 PDA? People sure aren't gonna be playing Quake on them.
Well, if you follow the link you will eventually get to http://www.oqo.com/store/shop.cgi/op/op_index.html which tells you 1899 or 1999.
Still rockin the Transmeta Crusoe I see?
How craptastic!
Unless OQO can price these things out closer to PDA prices rather than notebook prices, they're nothing more than a fringe gadget for the wealthy geek.
They're neat and all, but why drop $2k when you get nearly the same functionality out of a $500 PDA? People sure aren't gonna be playing Quake on them.
Model 02 next year? Are they going to drop the thumb keyboard and replace it with handwriting recognition software?
How about some nice features for the entertainment gadgeteer like A/V input/Output with built in encoder/decoder for MPEG and WAV? If they turn it into a super multimedia jukebox while maintaining its current functionality they'll have an awesome device, one I'll be sure to spend $2000 on.
i want my built in gps. sirf iii anyone?
Sweet.
I would love to see apple come out with something like this.
Now that Apple is shifting to the next generation Intel processors they might come up with something tiny in their product line too. Would be really interesting.
I bet most of you naysayers would be pretty impressed if you actually got to hold one of these things! It takes a bit to fully realize that you are holding a full fledged (albeit not highly powerful) computer in the palm of your hand! They really are cool and I bet that this is the directions that personal computers are heading. Your ENTIRE PC will go in your pocket. It will be usable as is (like a PDA), or at a desktop docking station (like a laptop), or in a mobile docking station.
Apple won't. To me, handtops look terrific, but Apple would not share that view. I think they don't want to ship a Mac that has less than XGA resolution or full-size keyboard keys. Apple clearly sees value in large screens. I think that, to some extent, they have designed their software for high resolutions. iLife on a handtop would be sub-optimal, and Apple cannot release a Mac that is not good for iLife.
@Tim:
I play Quake and other games on mine all the time.
I like the changes, but I still think the price is too high. Other than the high price, the device is pretty nice. I wonder if it could run Mac OS X Tiger? It would be really sweet if it could do that...
Here's an alternative to the OQO...Toshiba Libretto U105...
http://www.toshibadirect.com/td/b2c/cmod.to?seg=SMB&coid=-29335&sel=0&rcid=-26367&ccid=1291021
I decided on one of these instead of the OQO, and I am very glad I did! More powerful hardware, better screen rez, removable DVD-RW dock, bigger hard drive...same price as OQO...
This thing goes everywhere with me...granted, it isn't quite as easy to use one-handed like a PDA or a tablet PC, but the small size and killer specs make up for it...
"They're neat and all, but why drop $2k when you get nearly the same functionality out of a $500 PDA?"
Yes and no. This is a real computer with a real OS (WinXP) that has real native compatibility with other real computers, etc. It's literally a PC that you can use to replace your current computer as well as take it along anywhere you please while having all of your files and cuztomizations at your finger-tips without having to synchronize anything. A very cool concept that I hope becomes more advanced with things like stylus input (nix the keyboard, writing is faster than typing with your thumbs), faster components, higher-resolution screens, etc.
no pcmcia slot for accessing cellular networks is a deal breaker for me. i too bought the libretto u100 because of that reason.
- Those Toshiba and other subnotebooks are not at all in the same category as the OQO, the weight and bulkiness make them belong to 2 different worlds... There are lots of other subnotebooks that are as good as the Toshiba... (JVC, Samsung, Sony, etc.)
The OQO is one of its own.
- OK street price is high, but when compared to other subnotebooks with equivalent equipment... the extra price for having something much cooler is pretty low
- Regarding the video input capabilities, there are lots of low-cost and very small-size Firewire and USB 2.0 converters that do the job. (The heaviest parts being the cables in most cases...)
"They're neat and all, but why drop $2k when you get nearly the same functionality out of a $500 PDA?" same functionalities??? I DON'T think so... Aren't you sick of buying again and again PPC specific SW ? ...always wasting time to investigate the SW you need on your PPC ? Everything is made so simple on the OQO: it's all like on your good old PC...
Can honestly compete even the best PDA programs with their PC equivalent ?
- I really don't undestand why Apple wouldn't manufacture such devices... They would fit ideally with an iPod...
- Higher resolution ? come on guys, most PDA users agree that technology has reached human barreers i.e. the visibility with a naked eye. More pixel resolution with the same surface area would just be unreadable. A wider screen would bring this cool device back to the subnotebook category...
- There are no reasons I can see why the OQO wouldn't run Tiger in a few months once all the drivers are finalized by the cracker community.. The OQO is "just" an ordinary PC...
- Why on buy a PMA like an Archos now ? This OQO has it all + lots of major benefits: the ability to follow the evolution of standards and codecs (DivX for instance...) and abobe all the compatility which is the major cons of those PMAs. OK, PMAs have a better user interface solely dedicated to viewing videos and hearing music...
I am trying to believe this product is not vaporware but I am beginning to wonder. I ordered mine on 10/17 and after two phone calls and an almost daily checking of the web site all I get is that I should get one the second week of November and that response is not very convincing. However, the ship date on the web site still shows as unavailable. I will give it one more week and then I will move on.
I have had my OQO model 01 for over a year now. It always makes me smile when people end up compairing it to a PDA... How many PDAs have 20 or more GB of storage space? none that I know of. how many PDAs have 1Ghz? or better CPUs again none that I know of. How many PDAs have or can even hope to run a full version of Windows Xp? none that I know of. the are lots of things the OQO has and can do that PDAs just can't. The OQO is more like the low power useing laptops than a PDA. are there some sacrifices for the small size? of course that is the real world you will not get a device in the price range of a PDA with 20GB hard drive, 1Ghz proccessor, USB, WiFi, Bluetooth, etc..etc.. you could spend $10,000 and such PDA just does not exsist... eventually... of course it will and eventually as everything in the computer world prices will come down... so many people say things like "if only it cost as much as a PDA" for more than double or tripple the computer? of course that would be a good buy... and so would my own stealth bomber for $1,000 but that isn't going to happen or be realistic either.
it is either worth it to you or it isn't. just that simple.