OQO review at NYTimes

ignatz · 10-13-2004, 04:42 PM

The New York Times has posted a surprisingly glowing review of the OQO (registration required, or use BugMeNot). They state that the price point will be at around $1900. They like most things about the unit, but they do enumerate several problems. The lack of a CD or DVD (obviously too large) seems limiting, though the dock sounds good and it does have built in wifi. The main input system is USB, but it's 1.1 instead of 2.0. The battery life is a dismal 2.5 hours! What the hell can you do in that time?! I'm really surprised by the proliferation of "mobile" devices that need to be powered up every couple of hours. Until this trend turns around, I'll stick to lower power devices that can run for at least 6-8 hours.

Brian · 10-13-2004, 04:52 PM

Why the heck would anyone want to run a full Windows desktop on a handheld?

Poor Battery Life
GUI does not scale down well onto small screen
Security Issues
Virus Issues
Spyware Issues
and on....

Look at the cost! Quite a premium IMO.

How many Windows computers do you want to keep constantly up-to-date? Relying on the OQO as a portable handheld device subject to all of the above along with boot-up time and BSODs is not for me, and I predict these types of devices will not catch on for these reasons.

Brian

ignatz · 10-13-2004, 11:51 PM

Quote:

Why the heck would anyone want to run a full Windows desktop on a handheld?

Can't help but agree with that. I guess that some folks might want it, uh, for something. A limited use device that can last at least a good day on one charge is much more practical.

Colin Dunstan · 10-14-2004, 04:56 AM

c|net has also a review of the OQO 01:
The good:
- Very versatile;
- runs full Windows XP OS;
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are included;
- good docking solution; attractive design.

The bad:
- Weak performance;
- short battery life;
- runs hot;
- too big for a pocket;
- expensive.

As some of you said, I don't see how it is any good to run Windows XP on this little device. At least three of the "bad" points can be related to Windows XP: Weak performance - no wonder if you try to run Windows XP on a PC that's barely bigger than a PDA; same applies short battery life; and high price is at least partly due to the expensive WinXP license.

TadW · 10-14-2004, 06:59 AM

Are they nuts???? $1900? For that money, you can get any kind of 15" notebook. And there are some very portable ones, too.

I'd surprised if they could sell even 100 of these.

Francesco · 10-14-2004, 05:30 PM

Quote:

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

Yeah, right. I have two of them, actually. Just look at this:

TadW · 10-15-2004, 04:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Francesco

Yeah, right. I have two of them, actually. Just look at this:

LOL good one, Francesco!

Colin Dunstan · 10-15-2004, 05:21 AM

Engadget has lots of pictures showing the OQO from various sides. I must admit, even though I am not confident this gadget would ever become successful, it still looks neat: http://www.engadget.com/entry/9535533665475287/

MarbleMadness · 08-24-2005, 06:46 PM

Here is a more recent review of the oqo 01 model:

http://www.mobiletechreview.com/note...O-model-01.htm

10-13-2004, 04:42 PM	#1
ignatz mechanoholic Posts: 582 Karma: 1000217 Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Sarasota, FL Device: Nook STR/iPhone 4S/EVO 4G	OQO review at NYTimes The New York Times has posted a surprisingly glowing review of the OQO (registration required, or use BugMeNot). They state that the price point will be at around $1900. They like most things about the unit, but they do enumerate several problems. The lack of a CD or DVD (obviously too large) seems limiting, though the dock sounds good and it does have built in wifi. The main input system is USB, but it's 1.1 instead of 2.0. The battery life is a dismal 2.5 hours! What the hell can you do in that time?! I'm really surprised by the proliferation of "mobile" devices that need to be powered up every couple of hours. Until this trend turns around, I'll stick to lower power devices that can run for at least 6-8 hours.

10-13-2004, 04:52 PM	#2
Brian MobileRead Editor Posts: 447 Karma: 84 Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Massachusetts Device: Treo 700p, Zodiac2	Why the heck would anyone want to run a full Windows desktop on a handheld? Poor Battery Life GUI does not scale down well onto small screen Security Issues Virus Issues Spyware Issues and on.... Look at the cost! Quite a premium IMO. How many Windows computers do you want to keep constantly up-to-date? Relying on the OQO as a portable handheld device subject to all of the above along with boot-up time and BSODs is not for me, and I predict these types of devices will not catch on for these reasons. Brian Last edited by ballistic; 10-13-2004 at 04:54 PM.

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10-14-2004, 04:56 AM	#4
Colin Dunstan Is papyrophobic! Posts: 1,926 Karma: 1009999 Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: USA Device: Dell Axim	c\|net has also a review of the OQO 01: The good: - Very versatile; - runs full Windows XP OS; - Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are included; - good docking solution; attractive design. The bad: - Weak performance; - short battery life; - runs hot; - too big for a pocket; - expensive. As some of you said, I don't see how it is any good to run Windows XP on this little device. At least three of the "bad" points can be related to Windows XP: Weak performance - no wonder if you try to run Windows XP on a PC that's barely bigger than a PDA; same applies short battery life; and high price is at least partly due to the expensive WinXP license.

10-14-2004, 06:59 AM	#5
TadW Uebermensch Posts: 2,583 Karma: 1094606 Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Italy Device: Kindle	Are they nuts???? $1900? For that money, you can get any kind of 15" notebook. And there are some very portable ones, too. I'd surprised if they could sell even 100 of these.

10-15-2004, 05:21 AM	#8
Colin Dunstan Is papyrophobic! Posts: 1,926 Karma: 1009999 Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: USA Device: Dell Axim	Engadget has lots of pictures showing the OQO from various sides. I must admit, even though I am not confident this gadget would ever become successful, it still looks neat: http://www.engadget.com/entry/9535533665475287/

08-24-2005, 06:46 PM	#9
MarbleMadness Junior Member Posts: 4 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2005 Device: Samsung i600	Here is a more recent review of the oqo 01 model: http://www.mobiletechreview.com/note...O-model-01.htm

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