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I see this as a transitional period.
We will have a all in one modular product to satisfy diverse needs.
The first example I see is IBM's antelope still not what we a dreaming for but it's a start.

From here:

"The Rugged Handheld is the first Windows XP..." ...
"Buttons: CTRL-ALT-DEL..."

Was also unveiled. It is based around an iPod-like module which uses the same Toshiba harddrive as the iPod and a Transmeta chip.

Antelope Modular Computing Core Debuts Next Week

CNet's Michael Kanellos reports on start-up Antelope Technologies' plans to launch its Modular Computing Core (MCC) next week. The PDA-sized Windows PC's MCC technology is based on the IBM Meta Pad (announcement) which Antelope Technologies licensed from IBM. Priced at $3,970, it's expected that the MCC will be primarily for corporate fleets where mobility is a requirement. Antelope's MCC was previously on Slashdot and it seems that the company has beat vaporware OQO (Slashdot) to real product status. Will the Nimble V5 (Slashdot) be next?

I just don't think this "hands-free" thing, in its current incarnation, is going to take off.

Locutus

CTRL-ALT-DEL

How is this supposed to be an OQO killer? Granted, I can't get through to the site- it's 'dotted. However, I've seen the specs as posted here, and to me- as a person who really wants an OQO bad- it doesn't look like it'd replace the OQO.

Mostly, this thing doesn't have a display. Or touch screen. Making it a portable computer, but not a palmtop. The OQO is cool for a number of reasons, but one of them is that it is a real and quite fast machine in the form factor of a PDA. Yet, it can be "converted" into a real desktop or real laptop using docking stations. With an OQO, you can slip it into the docking station and expand it with a new AGP video card or new PCI cards. This is just a low-lower mini-ATX board. Nothing that special, although I'm sure there are some folks who would find the V5 useful.

I mean, this Nimble thing doesn't even run on a battery. It is very portable, in that it's small enough to take your office machine to and from home, keeping monitor, keyboard, etc at each location.

The only thing I've seen that comes close to being an OQO killer- but is just as much vaporware- is the MCC, or the Mobile Computer Core. Like the OQO, you can slip it into a number of "docks," making it a PDA, a notebook, or a desktop. I'd rather have the MCC's PDA over an OQO because it has a bigger screen but without being too big, but such dreaming is worthless when no one will make one of these...

And devices for this kind of usage are already appearing: Sony, Toshiba, and a few other companies have developed personal wireless file servers. Internet connectivity comes via a Bluetooth phone. Wireless head sets and keyboards give you sound and data entry. And a wirelessly networked PDA gives you a screen.

However, it makes sense to include a small screen on any wireless server you carry around, like Oqo, Antelope, and Tiqit are doing. Also, it makes sense to keep certain functions separate, like the cell phone, file server, and screen.

It's all a trade-off between power, size, and cost. And it doesn't look like Vulcan has any better technology than anybody else.

It looks like antelope is doing something different w/ their MCC stuff from IBM - split the display and input device out and save on weight - would be a nice setup with a monocle and a flexi-keyboard .. or you could try the SparcBooks which are unfortunately a little heavy (3.5kg) .. if it's size you're after - I'd look to the Asian market trends which tend to value the smaller size much more than the fat fingered lazy Americans and Europeans - the Sharp Zaurus PDA comes to mind there, and even smaller vaios only available on the japanese market (i started using a U1 a while back and love it) .. for durability - take a look at what the US gov't is doing for the military - there's a big push away from MS there and good luck! I think the real battle is away from the X86 instruction set - the majority of MS code is too embedded on this dependency!

Smaller is cooler, yes. But what use is a PC like this? It's small in size, but without the benefit that most computers that are small bring- mobility. The MicroPC provides portability, but in practice, not more than a laptop (with or without a head!). So why would one want to spend the extra money or suffer the limitations? The size of this thing could be kind of useful if it could be "converted" into a full laptop or desktop (with PCI, AGP slots and HD bays) ala the OQO or MCC. But it's not. It's not been designed to accept a battery and a small touchscreen-endowed display, to make it into a bulky mobile computer for when a full-speed computer is needed (there are situations when this could be needed). but nope- it's just a small version of a regular computer. Whoooop-de-doo!

Sure, given the choice, I'd rather have a small, out of the way computer rather than a big noisey PC desktop. Er, well, I have had that choice, and I went with the iBook. :P But given the choice between something even smaller for the same price and capabilities, I'd take the small one. But what the MiniPC worthwhile?

Why is it that Slashdot people and Wintel nerds often love these things, but rail against something like an iMac or eMac? A MicroPC has all the drawbacks of an all-in-one design and then some.- with the exception of a built-in monitor (on most [all?] iMacs and eMac models, the built-in can be bypassed or use as a second monitor).

There has to be folks out there on /. that are thinking "WOW! I must have one!" I'm interested in your opinion- what draws you too this? To look cool at LAN parties or to brag to those on IRC? I'm seriously curious- any insight would be great.

Looks like the story submitter made a mistake, teh Mobile Computer Core (MCC) is what he meant to say. I'll update it.

and here's a link to Antelope's site for those who are google impaired.