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OQO For Sale

captainJam writes "After many delays, the OQO is available for sale, or pre-order actually. However, they will begin shipping in the middle of next month. Read the scoop for how much it'll set you back. Check this link if you're still not sure what the OQO is." Update: 10/13 13:49 GMT by H : I've got a Model 01 that was sent over for review; I'll be checking it out with both XP & Linux; it's definitely one of the cooler handhelds out there.

16 of 207 comments (clear)

  1. Panurgism by mirko · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Panurgism is the reaction to an ever repeating tired joke :
    The fact is that I am not interested anymore, I just do not believe what they kept repeating while postponing their product.

    --
    Trolling using another account since 2005.
    1. Re:Panurgism by TAGmclaren · · Score: 4, Interesting
      The fact is that I am not interested anymore, I just do not believe what they kept repeating while postponing their product.


      So true.

      And the world has changed a fair bit since that product was announced by the OQO (ex-Apple) guys so long ago. Their former employer came back to trump them with a portable device that people actually want - the iPod.

      The thing that Apple now gets(TM) is that there's no point putting forward a product so far ahead of its time that people don't want it yet (e.g. the Newton). I'll bet that the OQO is going to fall squarely into this category; a great idea that's overpriced, underpowered and breaks too easily.

      -- james
      --
      Iran has endorsed
  2. Underpowered? by RichardThree3 · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Yes I'd seen this over in mip's scan that the OQO has finally launched and is taking orders on their website. I'm not sure though - it seems pretty underpowered for the price. The Flipstart seems to be a more promising unit.

  3. What the hell is it? by gpinzone · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Wow. No description of what the hell this thing is, but he does give links to find out and they're both slashdotted.

    Can the editors please institute a policy that they only accept/post stories that are adequately descriptive?

    1. Re:What the hell is it? by leonmergen · · Score: 3, Informative
      Not even that, but try to link to a site that's a bit more descriptive about what it actually is. It's a long time ago I've seen such a bad 'What is >?' site. It immediately starts of with technical details, that it has a power chord, etc.

      What the hell is it ? Is it a PDA ? Is it a notebook ? Is it the latest wannahave-gadget ?

      --
      - Leon Mergen
      http://www.solatis.com
  4. Submitted by Timothy... by toetagger1 · · Score: 4, Insightful
    "Check this link if you're still not sure what the OQO is."

    You couldn't find enough room in the cover story to describe what it was, so you linked to a web page that was /.ed when there was a total of 1 comments posted. Great Job!

    --
    who | grep -i blond | date cd ~; unzip; touch; strip; finger; mount; gasp; yes; uptime; umount; sleep
  5. From the OQO Website by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative
    The OQO model 01 ultra personal computer (uPC) is a fully-functional Windows XP computer. The OQO has a 1GHz processor, a 20GB hard drive, 256MB of RAM, a color transflective display, and integrated wireless, as well as Fire Wire and USB ports. It is powerful enough to run your most complex applications.

    Just 4.9 inches long, 3.4 inches wide, .9 inches thin, and weighing only 14 ounces, the model 01 can fit in a pocket or purse and go with you anywhere. For easy typing and cursor control it has a complete thumb keyboard with TrackStik and mouse buttons as well as digital pen and thumbwheel. It is the much anticipated device for people who previously had to choose between the bulk and awkwardness of a laptop and the limited capability of a PDA.

    The OQO model 01 is also the most versatile computer to date. With the OQO docking cable, it can easily connect to projectors and Ethernet. Placed in the desktop stand it is a desktop computer, allowing you to connect easily to a variety of peripherals, including full-size keyboards, printers, scanners, and high-resolution monitors. It shifts easily from one mode to the other with no data synchronization required. With an OQO model 01 you can move throughout your day and enjoy constant access to all your information and Windows XP programs. You can use the same computer for high-powered applications at work, sending email at home, listening to music on a train, or watching a movie on an airplane. It is the only computer you need.

    1. Re:From the OQO Website by kidgenius · · Score: 3, Informative

      Actually, it does have bluetooth and 802.11b support.

  6. Damn straight by Rogerborg · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Would it really fuck up an editor's day to actually do some, you know, editing? What the hell do these guys do all day, and can I get paid to do the same?

    --
    If you were blocking sigs, you wouldn't have to read this.
  7. don't tell us what it is then... by close_wait · · Score: 4, Insightful
    Why do I have to follow a &%$@ link just to find out even the vaguest idea of what the article is about...?

    lack of editing mutter mutter not like that in my day mutter mutter youth of today mutter mutter ...

  8. Slashdotted! by inkdesign · · Score: 3, Funny

    Guess they're using one to run the webserver!

  9. Re:And the OQO is... by DigitumDei · · Score: 4, Informative

    http://www.oqo.com/hardware/basics/

    The official marketing version. :)

  10. Here's what it is... by kidgenius · · Score: 4, Informative

    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.

  11. Sounds like a lot of money for a little computer by nels_tomlinson · · Score: 5, Insightful
    ``Under $2000'' for something which is too small and wimpy to use as a desktop replacement or for gaming (from the article: ``... the OQO isn't designed to be a desktop replacement, nor intended to be a portable video game machine ...), and too big to put in your pocket?

    I think this fills a need that too many folks don't have.

    Also, the article says that many of the specs are out of date, but they're going to launch anyway. That tells me that the second generation OQO is going to have more guts, and be out as soon as enough suckers have bought enough of the wimpy ones to finance further development. I'll wait.

  12. pay half as much: fujitsu p1120 by LordMyren · · Score: 4, Informative

    pay half as much and get the smallest USABLE laptop. The fujitsu p1120. 800mhz crusoe, 4.5h battery life (with extended battery) and touchscreen. keyboard i can code on all day. its a beautiful beautiful system. shell out the cash for the extra ram. and laptops inc/portable one should gladly upgrade your hard drive, if you so request, usually at very reasonable prices.

    Fujitsu p1120. Purchase here and forums for it here.

  13. No innovation here by Scooter · · Score: 3, Insightful

    This has to be the most un-imaginative approach to mobile, and unbiquitous computing: take the hardware and OS of desktops and small to midrange servers and make it all smaller. Granted there's a nod to the portability issues with the touch screen and built in wireless technolgoies but this is bolt on stuff from a design point of view.

    Of course it's a remarkable acheivement in engineering to cram all that in to such a small and light device, but the design demonstrates a really blinkered approach to the requirements.

    Think about what you are liekly to do on the move. The input devices fixed to the machine should reflect tese activities: you can't write seriously on a keyboard like that so why bother with the keyboard at all? Voice recognition can handle serious text input with ease these days leaving only the editing to be done when you get back to base and plug it into it's cradle giving you access to a full size keyboard and mouse.

    What is the power hungry and delicate hard disk for? This should be in a datacentre somewhere and presented on the device via an intelligent caching back end that makes it look like the stuff is local.

    Why is it running an OS that has it's design roots derived from hardware designed for the server and desktop computer ? Do we really need all that baggage in a portable device?

    The PDA approach is a much better place to start. With the addition of the right client software it could communicate with larger systems when placed in it's cradle (using protocols like X or framebuffers like VNC), and using a full size monitor/keyboard/mouse. Storage could be central and the device is then also small enough to function a phone.

    Condensing Windows, a desktop OS which in turn has it's philosophy derived from other multi-tasking operating systems for small computers like Unix et al into a small package like that is amazing, but ultimately misses the great opportunities that global networks, wireless connectiivty and a tiered approach can give.

    Still - I'm sure it'll find many fans due to the familiarity factor - same as your desktop/laptop but smaller..