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Get an OQO. Fits in a pocket, full windows xp/vista. Mobile broadband built right in. Extended batteries for hours of use.

http://www.oqo.com/

...when you can have the full she--bang in just as small a package with the Oqo E2.

Agreed, it's on the expensive side, but think of what you're getting...its very reasonable for the price.

It's an OQO.

http://www.oqo.com/intl/products/index.html

Like... an OQO? With Linux installed, of course.

Granted, it doesn't do calls per se. But it does have built in EV-DO WWAN. So maybe you could get a data plan and use VOIP?

There is OQO, but it is by no means the only such product. Poqet PC, an early PDA, had an 8088 processor. Bandai WonderSwan is a handheld video game system with an 8086 clone. Tablet PCs, including the compact XO laptop/tablet designed by OLPC, have newer CPUs using the x86 architecture. But even if handhelds do tend to prefer ARM CPUs over x86 CPUs, why aren't the same Windows Mobile apps available recompiled for traditional Windows OS?

But can one choose the level of bloat on the Windows OS that came preinstalled on a machine? Or do you have to switch operating systems and run the risk of losing compatibility with paid-for hardware? I guess I know why Dell plans to reintroduce Windows XP Service Pack 2 as an option on newer machines, as it can be slimmed down further than Microsoft's latest offering.

what I think is the future, is making all of these things work together.

I couldn't agree with you more!

Its at least twice as ugly as the OQO Model 02.

http://oqo.com/

Comes with 1.5ghz, gig ram, 30 gig drive and vista. 5" screen and a pen. Wifi, usb etc. None of this flipping open crap either.

I'm shocked this is the only comment mentioning the OQO! I had the opportunity to work with the OQO 1+ model for almost a year and while it was not a speed demon by any stretch of the imagination it was more than competent. With the 02's bumped up processor speed and mobile broadband built in I can hardly see any reason to even introduce the flipstart (or should that be falsestart). At $2K I can purchase the fully loaded OQO 02 with Windows Vista (yes there are tutorials on installing Linux)and that includes any shipping costs.

I'm shocked this is the only comment mentioning the OQO! I had the opportunity to work with the OQO 1+ model for almost a year and while it was not a speed demon by any stretch of the imagination it was more than competent. With the 02's bumped up processor speed and mobile broadband built in I can hardly see any reason to even introduce the flipstart (or should that be falsestart). At $2K I can purchase the fully loaded OQO 02 with Windows Vista (yes there are tutorials on installing Linux)and that includes any shipping costs.

I've been looking for a useful device in this space. Each one I've seen obviously has to make tradeoffs around battery life, screen size, keyboard size, and processor speed, and it's hard to compare one device to another based on features when it's really a question of whether one device achieves a better balance of tradeoffs than another.

That said, anyone interested in this space might want to take a look at the following devices:

- Sony Vaio UX series (official site w/ too much flash)
- Nokia N800 internet tablet (official site, user forums)
- OQO 02 (official site)
- Sony Mylo (my review, official site)

Short summary: the Mylo is possibly the best handheld Skype phone on the market and comes with Google Talk as well and has great UI and case design, but is expensive and has a poor keyboard. The Nokia N800 has fantastic battery life and a great browser that can handle nearly any website except Youtube, and also has a Nokia-supported very active open source development community - the device runs Debian, but lacks a keyboard and ships with apps that are too rough for non-geek end-users. The OQO 02 is a complete laptop with the best keyboard of the bunch and a lot of nice hardware UI touches, but isn't shipping until April, is expensive, and has fairly short battery life. The Vaio UX series has the best display and most processor power of the bunch, but is a little too large for comfort and has a terrible keyboard - the worst of the lot).

For my purposes, the OQO 02 has the best balance of features and tradeoffs, but I could have chosen the Nokia N800 if I wanted a maximally hackable portable computer.

--Pat

Anyone else remember http://www.oqo.com/ ? Exact same business strategy from what I remember.

Nothing beats trying to run Windows XP on the first OQO. 256Mb of RAM on a Transmeta Caruso chip. Clicking the START button can take up to a minute to get a response from the system and it sounds like a mini jet engine when the internal fan kicks on from the heat generated by the processing power it requires display the Start Menu.

Keychain computers - OS and Apps on your car keys with your data files.

Right now you can keep your Linux Operating System, and a bunch of Apps all on a USB Memory Stick.

This can put your whole system in your pocket.

As memory density increases and price declines, a 64 GB Flash Drive Memory Stick will come about at reasonable prices.

With More than 50 GB hanging from your keys - all your data and system files can boot and run on any machine.

Walk up, plug in - run your system.
Shutdown - everything is saved to your USB Flash Drive. Even in encrypted files if you wish.

No hard drive needed. Better security - easy to back up. Finger Print reader to boot. Even play MP3s (Think the creative MuVo MP3 player / USB Drive combo).
These will be the walk about systems used by many people.

Only to be out done by the Ultimate Expression of technology,
an Apple iPhone version of the OQO computer system:
An iPhone that is a phone/information device in your pocket,
and a full powered desktop system when plugged into it's base station dock.
(and with Samsung's 10 Megapixel camera phone camera (photos/video)

The Ultimate Singularity in all devices rolled into one:
Desktop Power, Cell Phone, 10MP Video/Photo Camera, email, voice mail, chat, web browsing, MP3 player, video player.

About the only thing NOT in your pocket is a printer and coffee maker!

The real trick is that the All-in-one pocket gizmo functionality is not compromised,
each of the individual functions should work as good as or better than the stand alone devices,
and all the functions should work seamlessly together - multiplying the usability 10 fold.

And stop making the Darn things Thinner, Smaller, and Swoopier!!!
Give us a Battery that actually lasts 24~48 hours run time at full operating power! (watching movies while chatting with a friend and downloading files in the background).
I honestly don't mind a phone that is 8 mm thicker - if that thickness gives me plenty of run time.
Recharging should be a once a week experience, not a once a day necessity.

What about an OQO?

There are a few others, some mentioned often on Slashdot too... http://www.oqo.com/

They're very expensive for the performance, but you're paying for the portability.

It exists (sotra), behold the OQO! Its a little brick with a screen and keyboard that you can dock and use as a full PC. Not quite what you asked for but close.

It may be more expensive, but i'd much rather have a OQO Model 01+. http://www.oqo.com/hardware/basics/

Let's see, browse the web, take photos and 20fps videos, email, write documents, play games, calculator, code write code on it if there were an IDE app for it (migh tbe? not sure). Sounds like pretty much what everyone uses a desktop PC for already as far as basic tasks go. You want more powerful apps look at the OQO and whta it has to offer, AFAIK, that would be everything a PC offers.

Typing with two fingers won't get you very far, and having to squint to try and read the screen (or zooming in and having to scroll constantly) isn't productive at all.Have you ever actually typed with two fingers? Or seen some of the crackberry users who do it all day long? 120 wpm is not out of reach for some people. Plus you're making the false assumption that this device absolutely must be used for the same purpose as a full sized PC, there are different applications that lend themselves to portability than wordprocessing. Yeah, if you want to write a novel maybe a full sized keyboard would be a better investment. Why does that mean that this theoretical microPC device is somehow worthless because you can't perform a single specific function that is limited by the nature of our hands? What if there's enough processing power on this new device to make autodictation fast and reliable, why would I even need to type my document then? And to counter your privacy argument there is technology coming out that allows you to attach a sensor to your throat and it understands wehat you are saying if you talking silently, military is looking to use it for missions where both silence and communication is needed. Also I don't need to squint to read the screen, nor zoom to read text. I see no reason why any device shoul dbe stilted for not being accesible by the lowest common denominator of user. So what if Blindy McGrandpa can't read the screen, I ca and it's a useful device for me. Should we not build fighter planes anymore just because most of the population lacks the better than 20-20 eyesight required by pilots?

Trying to focus on a screen less than an inch in-front of you eyes to read it, however, is impossible for your eyes.

There are already devices that focus the light directly onto the back of your eye with no negative effects, so no focus is even needed for such a system. Beyond that one can adjust the image so that it does produced a focused picture for the eye without a person having to actually focus at a 2" distance.

That's not space-saving at all. First off, because the main unit is nearly as large as a (folded?) keyboard to begin with. Second, because you really have to carry a DESK with you to use it...

Ok, so there's no chance whatsoever that this first gen device can be made smaller? Yeah right, no doubt in a year's time it will be half the size, I'd wager a large part fo the space is taken up by the batteries currently. See the recent article on capacitor batteries for a view of how that will change. And who says you need a chest high desk? Just take out a manilla folder and put it on your lap. Is your complaint that you can't use it standing up on a train? Fine, then get a single hand keyboard. Oh Noes! A siungle hand keyboard requires learning how to use it. Yeah, guess what, every device has a learning curve, and if you aren't willing to learn a new interface device to gain the benfits of a totally portable system then who cares about your opinion? Fully portable minature powerful PCs offer a whole new class of applications we haven't even thought of yet, refusing to acknowledge that is like clinging to a landline and not getting a cellphone because the battery may run out on the cellphone someday but your landline will always have power.

I know it doesn't meet your RAM requirements, but have you looked at the OQO?

I'd use a Mac mini myself.

Almost all of your comments, except keyboard, are addressed in the newest model. http://www.oqo.com/hardware/basics/

An employee of a certain company hated on $lashdot, I see the push of laptop owners to miniaturize systems and increase battery life while PDA owners wanting more functionality. The problem is that the UI needs to redesigned for each type of input desired: pen-based or keyboard/mouse-based. Software needs to be designed with each type of input in mind. Unless this can happen then we're looking at another flop. My greatest concern here is that the companies invested in miniaturization and a public that doesn't have the patience for another failure could mean this sort of concept being put on the back burner for a long time. As it stands, there must be a viable solution allowing consumers to have the ability to access and work on their data in the same familiar applications as they do on their home laptop/desktop systems. The only way to bridge this gap is to work with application developers. Quite frankly, without software being designed with a pen-based interface in mind, we've had UMPC functionality in the OQO for ages. And at least the OQO offers a keyboard. Why would anyone want to fork money over for the latest rehashed tablet-pc concept sans keyboard?

My advice to the backers of this concept is to focus companies into putting research dollars in more efficient processors and longer lasting batteries on the hardware side. On the software side, APPLICATION developers must be provided with UI standards to reflect pen-based input. I just wished people inside the company listened.

Yup, the OQO is sweet, and it looks smaller than the origami. The only problem with the OQO is the price, which is around $2000. I really want one, and have wanted one since before they came out but I doubt I'll pick one up until it's under $1000.

This is a phenominal concept. They've just created a middle market between PDAs and laptops. And it may eventually end up pigeonholing Windows Mobile to the cellphone arena. As natural market forces push the price down (at $500 it's already close to the high-end iPod), don't be surprised if this is where portable computing goes in the future. Add a Bluetooth keyboard and it's a laptop.

These have been around for awhile, see the OQO . Oragami is just bigger, but much cheaper. I might actually buy one, I've wanted an oqo for awhile but the price is steep just to make my commute more enjoyable.

I was kind of let down by this announcement, I was expecting a real all in one device, something that would run XP, but also work as a cell phone and a GPS unit. Yeah, I want too much.

That's an interesting point. I used to rag on Apple when they were putting out "knowledge navigator" videos a the same time NeXT was introducing their first products (which themselves were overhyped for the time but of course would encompass what the mac is today). Now it's Microsoft doing the same thing - reintroducing the OQO in this case:

http://www.oqo.com/

Another consideration - everyone thought the iPod was nothing but hype for another expensive mp3 player when it came out...

I have to jump into that pen and notebook camp... I've had PDAs either through upgrades or incompatibilities one feature or another that I became reliant on stop functioning. Eventually after several attempts at the PDA markets (spanning Psion II and IIIe, Windows CE devices 1.0 amd 2.0, Palm) I have gone back to the staple notebook and pen, I keep them and have them for easy searching.
The only device I think could possibly answer my need is the OQO http://www.oqo.com/hardware/basics/ device, but then this still seems beta tech and I'll wait a few years before jumping.
...unless someone wants to give me one for testing etc.

Check out the OQO at http://www.oqo.com./ Dimensions are tiny at: 4.9" x 3.4" x .9" And will will run XP Home, Pro, or tablet. Yes it is expensive at ~ $2000.00 US but, with the dock station it could replace a typical laptop + PDA for many people. Yes it is pen based but I think it will be around in 4 years if only they can drop the price. Full specs from site: 1GHz processor 30GB hard drive (shock-mounted) 512MB RAM 4.9" x 3.4" x .9" 14 ounces 800 x 480 W-VGA 5" display (indoor/outdoor readable) 3D accelerated graphics with 8MB video RAM QWERTY thumb keyboard with mouse buttons and TrackStik® WiFi® Bluetooth® USB 2.0 FireWire® (1394) 3.5mm stereo headphone jack Microphone Pen-based digitizer

It's funny because every time I look at these sorts of stats, it leads me to conclude that PDA users want more multimedia and productivity applications while laptops users want smaller and longer lasting systems. It seems like everyone is pushing towards items like the OQO, CPC, and Flipstart since they can run the big software applications people are accustomed. The problem seems to be the interface. The miniaturized PC-to-the-size-of-a-PDA concept is flawed because most programs these days are optimized for usability studies conducted with the mindset of the HIDs being keyboards and mice. This is one of the many reasons sales of the OQO haven't skyrocketed and tablet PCs really haven't taken off. So why can't we get software design houses revamp their application interfaces? Maybe the CPC guys have the right idea for the software and battery technology available when they want a tiny system with both the ability to run XP and Windows Mobile. Personally, I think the idea is a clunky hack until developers start designing interfaces for both keyboard/mouse and pen input. Maybe by then we'll have great battery technology that will give us a days worth of power on a single charge.

Or a slightly modified Oqo.

These glasses look pretty cool. I've been trying to get my hands on a pair of the "new age" of small form displays. Why have an LCD monitor? Why not have a totally mobile monitor setup? Just plop on your display, and voila! These don't look like those crappy full-face helmets. They are sleek and interesting.

These things aren't "3D virtual reality glasses"; they are small-form, optical LCD displays. And it's not like they just plopped an LCD up either... they have tiny lenses in front of the display that allow your eyes to focus correctly and look at this thing for hours on end, just like you were staring at your monitor that's sitting two feet away. It's brilliant stuff.

Combine this with an OQO or other such portable device, and you have a totally mobile computing platform. Or why not just use Ipod Linux...

- DaftShadow

Excuse me, but OQO runs Linux (albeit not officially supported). See for example their Ubuntu pages: ftp://ftp.oqo.com/unsupported/linux/OQOLinux.html

Honestly, I'd like to see something OQO'ish in the $599 price point range that can run Linux. That would probably be the best of both worlds.

- Greg

Why get a PDA which does some of the functions of a real computer, when you can have a real computer? Things like:
http://www.dynamism.com/u50/
and:
http://www.oqo.com/
Small, fast (compared to a PDA), and plenty of storage. Better screens too.

Plus many of the PDAs are hampered with some shocking design decisions. I've had three PDAs, and all of them lost all data when both batteries go flat (Psion 3C, HP Jornada 620LX and Sony Clié PEG50). Forget to charge for two weeks, and you have - no data. Plain stupid. Flash isn't ruinously expensive, so there's no excuse IMO.

It DOES support linux:
ftp://ftp.oqo.com/unsupported/linux/OQOLinux.html

Yes, but it is unsupported: ftp://ftp.oqo.com/unsupported/linux/OQOLinux.html

OQO has been working on linux support.

Battery life up to three hours, depending on usage

What about "handtops"? They're not quite there yet, but in a few years, couldn't we all be carrying around PC's in our pockets (with added cellphone component)?

The Orion Multisystem (96 processors under your desk) and the OQO are recent examples. They are in some Sharp notebooks ... browse the list here.

http://www.oqo.com/

Doesn't run Linux natively (which as another poster said, doesn't matter at all), but does everything else.

The price is *crippling* for consumer-level electronic gadgets though. Purely geek and/or suit product.

I think the closest thing is probably an OQO.

I wonder what would have happened if Transmeta had released the instruction set for the native VLIW instruction-set processor that runs the x86 emulation layer. Sure, it's probably very hard to code for, but may have offered a tremendous advantage for some applications.

Also, hopefully OQO and others have a backup plan so this doesn't put a kink in the handheld pc market.

OQO?

I'm still waiting until I can use my mobile phone as my PC. When mobile phones get fast enough, I should be able to dock my phone to a big keyboard and monitor, just like a laptop. My data and apps would always be with me, but I can access them using the best available hardware interface wherever I am. The oqo device is almost there, but I want something that is smaller and a phone.

hmm, maybe I should patent this idea before someone markets it. :)

that new zaurus is tasty, but i'm holding out for an oqo with debian. that would be delicious... anyone working on porting the stylus drivers or the screen sizing with x11 (or any drivers for that matter) for the oqo to deb yet?

~fabienne

How about the ability to accept winamp/whatever input plugins so that we can take more varied formats than just compressed waves?

I've got a lot of music that's in midi-type, MOD-type, and other non-standard forms that I'd like to be able to take with me, and can't (with the possible exception of that Vaio thing or the OQO.

(sidenote: Alas, it only ships with winXP, but I'm sure that can be fixed by a clever alternate OS adherent.)

sure, portability is great, but portability with high customizability is far better. Unfortunately, it's also loads more expensive.

I don't know why the news kept pointing to some arbitrary handtops site but the actual site for the device is OQO.com. Basically, the thing is a 1ghz laptop with a 20GB HD, 256MB RAM, and 800x480 LCD. It's been shrunk to the size of a PDA but runs full Windows XP home. So, for the unreasonably high price of $1900 you can get a laptop from 2 years ago running an OS that isn't designed for the size of the device. There is no market for this thing.

It's a computer!

You'd think our boy Timothy would at least link to the page of the manufacturer where there are images, and stands a better chance against /.'ing. Here you go guys...it's some sort of portable computer thing.

Well if you dropped the budget requirement you would seem to be a perfect candidate for an OQO ultra compact PC. It's 4.9*3.4 inches, has a 800*480 display, has a full keyboard, thumb mouse, pen input, scroll wheel, etc. It has Firewire, Bluetooth, 802.11b, and USB built in. It lasts aprox 3 hours on battery. It has a 20GB HDD for storage. The biggest problem for you would be the price, I believe the first generation are around $1800.