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On the Possible Handtop Paradigm Shift

Posted by simoniker on from the possible dept.

captainJam writes "Handtops.com has a piece about the effects of handtops (text version) such as the OQO, FlipStart and others on the computing experience. With a physical size that's slightly larger than a PDA, a handtop has the power of a standard ultra-portable laptop - 1GHz, 256-512MB RAM, USB, FireWire, etc. These factors, coupled with a dock (plug in a monitor, keyboard and mouse) allow one to imagine a world where maybe they won't need a desktop, or laptop, or mp3 player, video jukebox, digicam, etc. Maybe one day companies might even be willing to pay for part of your handtop, knowing that they would have to invest less in upgrading? It's not all rosy, the devices are still under $2000 and aren't due out until later this fall (OQO) or Q1-2 2005 (FlipStart), but this is an important shift worth letting the mind ponder." Of course, the OQO has been in development for a while, now.

5 of 188 comments (clear)

  1. So,,, by ArmenTanzarian · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Handtops.com has a piece about the revolutionary effect of the new handtops? You don't say...

    There's a lot of technology that goes nowhere, even with a vocal group of geeks behind it.

  2. not really close to desktop computing power by ecklesweb · · Score: 4, Insightful

    These handheld devices are getting more powerful and more useful, but with the specs listed (1GHz, 256-512 RAM), you're not really talking desktop or even normal laptop computing power. That's especially true given that these devices aren't coming out until the Fall or early 2005 (yeah, I'll believe it when I see it).

    Post a story when they pack computing power equivalent to a six-month old desktop into a handlheld form factor.

  3. Re:Why companies should pay for a 'handtop' by lucabrasi999 · · Score: 3, Insightful
    So... in the near future it would seem we could save $1000.00 per user and get increased productivity. Not much justifying and convincing to do it would seem...

    Yes, but today, the laptop actually works.

  4. Until we get better batteries... by Ragnarr · · Score: 5, Insightful

    It's super that they want to stick faster processors with better screens into smaller devices, however I think we forget the main limiting factor. Batteries have not changed in 10 years, and I think until we can develop a device that runs reasonably well (> 2 hours) on current technology we're still at the same point we are now. Give me better batteries, not faster processors!

  5. Won't work: see Newton by hcdejong · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Without RTFA (it's already /.ed), I'd have to say this sounds a lot like the Apple Newton. I.e. it won't work because it's too big to fit in a pocket, and to small to work comfortably on it. Until we get usable and affordable goggles, and/or plus some kind of input technology that's truly portable [1], these devices won't take off.

    1: e.g. digital paper, so I can fold an A3-sized screen/tablet into an A6 package.