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Nimble V5 - The OQO Killer?

prostoalex writes "OQO was supposed to be a big advance in the personal computing field, but, alas, made it quick to vaporware list. Now another company will try its luck with a mini-mini-PC. The Register, PC World and MSNBC are all running paragraph-long blurbs about pocket-size Nimble V5 from Nimble Microsystems. The specs are - VIA 733 MHz, 128 DDR266, 30 GB HDD, USB 2.0, PCMCIA, no display, $699, supposed to ship this fall. Full specification available from company's Web site."

10 of 120 comments (clear)

  1. Anything running VIA... by Ransak · · Score: 3, Informative

    ... doesn't inspire confidence in me with their past track record of problems. Given my past experience with the Asus AV7266, I steer clear of all products using their chips.

    --
    "Powers. I have them."
  2. Full specs from website by Ricin · · Score: 4, Informative

    CPU: VIA C3 Eden 733MHz

    Memory: 128MB DDR266 SODIMM (expandable to 512MB)

    Hard Drive: 30GB

    Display Support: 1280x1024 maximum selectable resolution and up to 32-bit color

    Audio: AC 97 compatible, Built-in Microphone, 3W
    Amplifier, 4Ohm speaker, 3.5mm stereo jack x 2 (Ear/Mic Jack)

    Front button: V5/PC switch button, Two Channels indicator, Volume Control Knob, Mic mute Button
    Status Indicator: V5 channel (Blue); PC channel (Orange)

    Power: Output: 18V DC, 3.4A, Input: Auto-sensing 100-240VAC, 50-60Hz Universal

    I/O ports: USB (2.0) x 4, Ethernet Port x 2, PS/2 x 4, VGA x 2

    Network Connectivity: IEEE 802.3 10/100BaseT x2
    IEEE 802.11 Wireless PCMCIA

    Operation System: Windows XP Home Edition / Professional Edition

    Dimensions (W x D x H): 5.2 x 19.5 x 19.5 (cm), 2â x 7.7â x 7.7â (in)

    Expansion Slot: PCMCIA Type II slot x1

    Weight: 2.2lbs/1.0kg

    Operation Environment: Temperature: 32ÂF to 97ÂF (0ÂC to 36ÂC), Humidity: 20% to 80% (non-condensation)

    Accessories: Power adapter, Ethernet Cable, KVM cable, User Manual

    Regulatory Approvals: FCC, UL, CE

    -----
    Looks interesting for someone who likes to carry her PC with her and her monitor on his back

  3. Nice idea, but... by WegianWarrior · · Score: 3, Informative

    ...judging by the spesifications is isn't much more than one of the lower-power mini-itx motherboards from VIA and some bundled perhipals.

    So why not do as the good people over at mini-itx.com and roll your own? You may not save all that much money on it, but you can get a system thats tailormade for your needs and absolutly one of a kind... or you can molest some poor old computer and pimp it out with some new, faster hardware.

    --
    Everything in the world is controlled by a small, evil group to which, unfortunately, no one you know belongs.
  4. Could Too! Could Not! by PetoskeyGuy · · Score: 2, Informative

    How does one unavailable product kill another unavailable product? Sounds like Marketing has been reduced the school yard taunts about whos favorite super hero could beat up the others.

  5. You'll actually save some money if you DIY... by Svartalf · · Score: 4, Informative

    EPIA-M10000 motherboard : $140
    mini-ITX case (basic): $60
    128Mb of DDR RAM: $60
    40Gb HD: $50
    16x DVD: $50

    Total cost: $360

    That's all it takes to make a basic business PC these days. It won't be a barn burner, but it will do the job nicely no matter what OS you choose, 98, Me, 2000, XP, *BSD, or Linux.

    (OT: The "lameness" filter is really lame...)

    --
    I am not merely a "consumer" or a "taxpayer". I am a Citizen of the State of Texas
  6. Re:OQO doesn't need the help... by kamikazichaser · · Score: 2, Informative

    I fell in love with the OQO concept as soon as I saw it. It's a pity that complications arose. I recently contacted OQO for an update, and got this response: Hi Jason and thanks for your interest in OQO. Yes - yes - yes - the product is definitely coming out. We are planning a major product launch in mid-September at PC Expo in NYC. Let me know if I can answer any specific questions. Regards, Steve Halland This was received on 06/10/03

  7. I have a better Idea by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

    Try a Sony U101

    Mod me up if this makes you drool :)

    Sure it comes only with Japanese Win XP, but who cares when you're just going to send it to the big bit bucket in the sky where it belongs anyway? RH9 installs nicely.

  8. Re:Case is small indeed... by lowmagnet · · Score: 2, Informative

    How about the LexSystem? Or perhaps the Travla? I think both fit the bill nicely. The LexSystem is a bit tighter than the Travla, but for some reason I find the Travla very HURRR

    --
    Heute die Welt, morgen das Sonnensystem!
  9. Re:Why? by mdielmann · · Score: 2, Informative

    I mean, if you need something small and quiet, you get a laptop.

    I beg to differ. When the fan on my Thinkpad kicks in, it's almost as loud as my desktop. Considering it's 18" from my head, as opposed to the >36" for my desktop, I wouldn't call it a quiet solution.

    I'm thinking of getting a fanless computer for my next desktop. I don't do a lot of gaming where I need the high-end CPUs, and value silence more than unused clock cycles. OTOH, I'll probably build my own in the faint hope of saving a few bucks - and having a clue what's happening in there...

    --
    Sure I'm paranoid, but am I paranoid enough?
  10. Re:apparently by norhtec · · Score: 2, Informative

    I know this might be a selfish post but it is appropriate. I am president of a company called NorhTec. We are shipping a small, fanless computer and have been since February. Several people have told me they tried to get our slashdotted but the posts were rejected. There are several reasons why people would buy these smaller products. Most of them are designed as standalone embedded solutions. They can be used to drive everything from medical equipment or even musical insturments. They can play a role in robotics are be used for large remote deployments. One of the major uses we are finding is for instermentation. People use these computers to take measurements. There are many places where space is a premium. Automobiles, oil rigs, ships, trains, planes and busses are some examples. Laptops are often used for these applications but if the application doesn't require a screen (such as a gateway or firewall) then a microserver will do the job more efficiently.