While Jenn prepares mind and body for some MID Moves action at fun park in southern California, I’m getting ready for my own MID action. The OQO 2+ (64GB SSD, 1.8Ghz, OLED screen version) arrived today and its siting on a table right now in ‘desktop’ mode. I think it’s fair to say that this is one of the most transparent Vista experiences I’ve had on a UMPC. The 1,8Ghz drive, 2Gb of RAM and fast SSD are really working well together.
I’ve written up a few notes at MID Moves already and there are some piccies being put into the gallery but let me just highlight a few points here.
Overall performance – Excellent. Vista is useable and apps start quickly. YouTube full-screen isn’t very good.
Battery life – So so. 2hrs with Wifi on. 2.5 at 800Mhz. 3hrs wifi off. This is with the small battery. I was hoping for more.
Screen – High quality. Not that much better than the best we’ve seen before (Wibrain, Q1 Ultra) but still, the best I’ve seen. I instantly noticed the restrictions of the 800×480. Interpolated isn’t that bad though. Probably the best interpolated mode i’ve seen.
3G – Can’t test as its locked to EVDO at the moment. So much for Gobi ‘global’ 3G chipsets.
3G is now working. After finding another layer of setting in ctrl panel, switching to HSDPA, disabling spring and verizon software, ticking a box and entering my APN (!) it’s working. Actually to fair, now that it’s set up, its an easy one-click connect. HSDPA is working and it’s giving me 700kbpsupload which indicates HSUPA but havent been able to see any high speed downloads yet.
Noise and heat – Dissapointing fan noise. Fan is on all the time and can get very loud. Heat isn’t an issue though so I imagine there’s scope for some tweaking of the fan settings. Maybe it can be made silent at 800Mhz. Update: setting the heat/noise bar in ctrl-panel helped this somewhat. I will do mroe testing and report on this later.
Disk speed. Good. 50MB read. 37 Write. (max) This isn’t high-end in terms of SSDs but for the system, it’s probably about as good as it needs to get unless you want some high-speed hibernation action.
I tested the video performance with the Coral Reef Adventures WMV demo supplied on the device. It’s a 1280×720, 6.5mbps WMV9 and the OQO handles it with ease averaging just 50% CPU using Windows Media player hinting to me that there might be some hardware decoding going on somewhere. The OQO even handles it when locked to 8000Mhz which I’ve never seen on any other Silverthorne based device. I moved on to test a 16mbps (average) 1080P file and at this point I found what I think is the reason why all the video is working. Cyberlink Power DVD V7 is installed. I’ve tested it in the past and seen H.264 working well but i’ve never seen WMV working so well and i’ve never seen H.264 play in Windows Media player like it’s doing here. Considering this has HDMI out, it could make an amazing portable video player.
Feel free to ask questions. I won’t be monitoring the comments all the time but i’ll make sure I dedicate 30 minutes to answering the questions later. Unfortunately I wont have time for a live video session tonight as I need to prepare for MID Moves activities tomorrow but i’ll be pulling together more thoughts over the week and will be able to present you with a full review soon after.
Thanks to the Intel, OQO and the MID Moves project for the time with the device.
Specs and info on the OQO 2+ here. Feel free to add your thoughts at the bottom of the specification page as a reference for others.
The first thing I’d like to know is how it compares to the Wibrain for practical everyday usage: Screen size, pocketability, battery life, screen viewing in sunlight, etc…
I’ve never used the WiBrain so I can’t speak for anything but pocketability, as I’ve seen the WiBrain, and owned the OQOs. I don’t consider the WiBrain at all pocketable, but I very much feel the OQOs are. But if you’re a person (not only you LarryH but anyone reading this) that feels that any of the smartphones out there like Nokia E90 or such are already pushing it in size, then the OQO is NOT “pocketable” for YOU.
Pocketability?
See Steve’s Video: http://www.midmoves.com/2009/01/another-oqo-2-arrives/
It wil take a week to get a feel for this. The OQO is a very useable device and the keyboard is better than on the Wibrain purely because of it’s positioning.
So you’ve never really used an OQO before? ENJOY! :)
for video: if possible i would be interested in knowing how video performance is with total video player or vlc in term of quality, speed, ressources usage; especially compared to ms mediaplayer.
OK, this depends on how you set the codecs up. It you use CPU-based codecs, it will be worse than with media player using video hardware codecs.
As it is, mediaplayer is doing extremely (using Cyberlink codecs that link into the poulsbo hardware decoding), extremely well will H.264 and WMV. The best i’ve seen on any UMPC so far.
Remember that CPU decoding of high bitrate videos could be quite a drain on battery life due to powerful CPU.
>3G – Can’t test as its locked to EVDO at the moment. So much for Gobi >‘global’ 3G chipsets.
The OQO rep ADAM on OQOTALK stated this about the Gobi:
”
There is no either/or with Gobi. It’s both! You get it all. All WWAN 2+’s have the ability to take advantage of this, and do both HSPA *and* EVDO. There is no longer separate SKU’s for Sprint EVDO, VZW EVDO, or HSDPA. Gobi has allowed us to unify everything into one package, and you, in turn, get tremendous broadband connectivity flexibility.
Yes, you do have to “choose” when you are ordering and I know this is confusing, but rest assured that regardless of what broadband option you choose, you will get a 2+ that supports EVDO and HSPA.
Included software will enable you to make these changes.
And, it’s my understanding that you can have both an active HSPA carrier (via SIM) and an active EVDO carrier at the same time (of course you would need to choose which you were using at a given time, and switch between them)”
Have you checked various possibilities on changing this?
I assume the 3G firmware or drivers arent complete in that case.
Battery life only 2.5 hours… I have my old Everun with 7 hours (standard battery) and 11h with large battery with 3G ON !!!… manufactured in 2007…
Can we easy change battery ? (hibernate and change battery…)
Large battery available ?
I have a dream, old Everun with Intel Atom… and 11h battery life !
I’m sorry but 7 hours and 11 hours with 3G on doesn’t sound realistic even with the most efficient laptop where size isn’t constricting as much, are you sure about these numbers??
>Can we easy change battery ? (hibernate and change battery…)
>Large battery available ?
Yes & Yes:
Though I don’t personally like the OQO’s with the extended batteries at all due to size/weight here’s a picture of 01 std/extended battery and 02 std/extended battery:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tnkgrl/423713151/
Some have been able to squeeze the extended battery into the executive case(not intended for it):
http://mdjosephkim.blogspot.com/2008/03/oqo-model-02-extended-battery-and.html
Wow, some really disappointing things listed there.
Battery life and noise have just killed it for me as an option.
Really thought this was going to be a contender.
Same words exactly I was VERY interested in the 2+ since I’ve had all the previous models and love the overall build quality.
You can use the extended battery which would around double the battery time, but that’s only 4-6 hours, which I would really want a std battery to handle.
Though the extended battery by no means doubles the size/weight of the unit as such I have to say for me the feel/experience is really close to making it double in size/weight, it just crosses a “line” if you want of really cumbersome, keep in mind I’m a person walking around with two smartphones and a wallet next into identical to the OQO 02 in size, so I’m not very picky on size!
*Battery life and noise have just killed it for me as an option.*
For me too.
OQO = FAIL !
I’m sure the addition of ATOM and passive touch screen and lowered price will attract more consumer customers to OQO but yeah it’s not for me either I think. I’ll either settle for the Aigo for a while still, maybe mod it a bit more or wait/hope for the UMID.
i too am dissapointed in noise. As I mentioned, heat seems to OK so running at 800Mhz with fan off could be a possibility. BIOS tweaking might be necessary before launch.
Yeah to me it feels like the fan is a “heritage” of the 02 that could be minimized (looking at other Atom based analog devices?!
Try tuning the “cooler” vs “quieter” slider in the OQO Settings window in control panel. Try pegging it to “quieter” and see what you think about fan noise.
>Battery life – So so. 2hrs with Wifi on. 2.5 at 800Mhz. 3hrs wifi off. This is >with the small battery. I was hoping for more.
>Noise and heat – Dissapointing fan noise. Fan is on all the time and can get >very loud.
These are the two things that even at my relatively short hands on (with WiMax) with the 2+ at CES I got the feeling that won’t “sit with me” all too well.
These are also two of the three things that bothered me with the 02’s I had which made me sell them, the third being no passive touch screen that has not been changed obviously.
Hey, wait a minute!!!!
Only 2 hours???
Upppppppppppps.
There is any battery option?
No offense people but the OQO 02 has been out for over a year now with the same battery options as the 2+ (AFAIK) a simple search will get you to the accessories:
OQO 2+ accessories if you’re in the US:
Bundles:
http://www.oqo.com/store/shop.cgi/op/op_itemdetail.html
(click accessories)
Here are the battery options:
standard battery $129
4500mAh lithium-ion polymer battery with LED fuel gauge. Designed for model 2 series.
double capacity battery $199
9000mAh lithium-ion polymer battery with LED fuel gauge. Designed for model 2 series.
With a second battery you most likely would want to get the charger adapter too (which enables you to charge a battery stand alone):
battery charging adapter $19
Small adapter directly connects your model 2 series power supply to battery for standalone charging.
For those outside the US (since I’m not sure what the OQO intl link is?)
http://www.expansys.com/p.aspx?i=144932
Hi Steve,
I am guessing the questions that a lot of people have in their mind is if there is much improvement over the model e2 and if its worth the upgrade, also a lot of people in the oqotalk have wonder if the upgrade to the ssd is really that important considering that its very expensive ($700) and less than half the storage of the 120 hdd and perhaps no much improvement overall. Do you consider the fan noise as loud as the e2? How about writing on the 2+ if its compatible with the digitizer, is it any better? Also a people complained not being able to play games as WOW or Halo etc on the previous model (at least without stuttering) do you think this issue is improved (considering the video playback). How does the Touch Screen feels, is it responsive enough? Is it a good feature? DO you think it beats the screen scrollers from the previous version? Can you use the 2+ while the keyboard is hidden with the touchscreen (couldnt do it with the regular 02). There are many other questions that I’ve notice the community have but I might take the whole page :)
Thank you Steve and good luck with your constant travel and MID Moves
Personally I felt it lacked nothing when it came to performance, or let me rephrase that to, it performs as I had wanted/expected the almost $2k OQO 02 I bought close to a year ago, either way there is def a significant improvement on the performance.
As for the SSD option please see my and JKK’s comments here http://www.umpcportal.com/2009/01/ultra-mobile-podcast-2 which in turn links to OQOtalk also and which in turn links to RUNCORE’s press release, everything is indicating one could go for a “non-$700-SSD-option” for the 2+, keeping in mind this WOULD VOID your warranty, that based on previous experiences with OQO devices, might not be the most sensible to do :), out of the four OQOs I’ve owned (01,01+, 02 & 02 w/EVDO) two of them did have to visit OQO’s warranty center.
As for fan noise, yes surprisingly I’d have to say I noticed no improvements on the fan noise, now keep in mind my hands on was at the very noisy CES show, however on the other side of that I think I shouldn’t have been able to even make out fan noise at this type of show, but I did :(
Digitizer, I am quite sure you can’t use that any more, at all. As for the touch screen vs scrollers, I am not sure Chippy has had too much experience with the 02, I also feel the scrollers was a love/hate thing, and depending a lot on what you need to do, not to mention how they had trouble with them in fact that was the issue I had with my 02 that they fixed under warranty, and I feel they didn’t really work “as the should” ever. I think when the fix the scrollers they swap out the complete screen part.
>Can you use the 2+ while the keyboard is hidden with the touchscreen (couldnt >do it with the regular 02).
Since I don’t have any OQO any more I can’t state for a fact but I am quite sure you can do this, I believe it depends on how you set your settings as to what you want the computer to do when you close the “lid” in this case slide it closed, no??
That’s strange. I had no problems using the regular 02 while the keyboard was hidden. All I needed was an active digitizer stylus. (I tested out an OQO Model 02 for a week, so I used the stylus from my existing tablet PC. Annotating PDFs worked out much better than I’d expected.)
I am curious about inking with the touchscreen though. In my case, by inking, I’m marking up PDFs and doing handwriting recognition. However, IIRC, Steve, you don’t really do any inking.
The first impressions of the battery life and noise are disappointing. Maybe some tweaking may improve things, as you suggested.
>That’s strange. I had no problems using the regular 02 while the keyboard was hidden.
Yeah that’s what I recall too, I believe gerson might have some settings put to shut down or standby when closing the “lid” just as most people have with their laptops.
>I am curious about inking with the touchscreen though. In my case, by inking, I’m marking >up PDFs and doing handwriting recognition
It would similar to any of the PDAs out there, recognition I’d suspect to be like before with the difference that you actually have to apply some more pressure now.
>The first impressions of the battery life and noise are disappointing. Maybe some >tweaking may improve things, as you suggested.
We’re all waiting and hoping but honestly I’d say don’t get your hopes up TOO high, as these have always been OQO’s weak points, not to forget though that OQO has A LOT OF STRONG POINTS than many don’t even come close to, one of my favorites being the AWESOME KEYBOARD of the OQO 02 and newer. (01/01+ keyboards however…were awful)
Its really a lot faster than 1.6Ghz 02/E2. Vista is perfectly usable without noticing any slowdown. Of course the SSD is really helping here with 53MB read and 35MB write (max).
Touchscreen is a lot better than digitiser for my use. I can’t comment on other peoples usage patterns but I much prefer it to scroll panels. Using drag and grab makes Firefox so easy when the keyboard is closed in ‘consumption’ mode!
I should point out again at this point that the OQO I have is not a production model.
I’ll get back to attend to those Q’s later this evening.
Steve
I don’t believe there is any huge differences between this one and the production units. With the release date being not that far off really there’s not that much OQO can do between now and full rampup of the production.
What is you thin could be altered/updated before release?
Fan noise could be improved by tweaking. The unit doesnt seem to get hot so there should be a noise/heat tradeoff. Did the OQO 02 have that in the control panel?
Steve
Yes I posted it in other replies somewhere but here is copy and paste from OQO’s support pages (for 02)
“Adjusting Fan Settings
Adjust your fan to run cooler or more quietly using the OQO Cooling Fan applet.
Open the Control Panel.
Double-click the OQO Cooling Fan applet. The OQO Cooling Fan window will open.
Drag the slider left to set your OQO fan to run cooler; drag the slider to the right to make the fan run more quietly.
Click the OK button to apply your changes and close the window.”
Update, jsut found it! I forgot it was in control panel. Now set to quiet…lets see how the heat builds up.
Ok guess I could read before I post too :)
Adam just posted this:
“OK, let’s try and answer the cooler/quieter questions. I’m taking them both on at once, since they are very related.
Does the 2+ run cooler then the model 2?
While we are not prepared to release specific numbers at this time, all things held equal, the 2+ does run cooler. This statement does not mean that any given individual’s 2+ will always run cooler then a m02 for all situations and use cases and is not offered as a guarantee.
Does the 2+ run quieter then the model 2?
Just like the m2, users may adjust fan performance in the OQO Manager to make the unit quieter (which generally results in the unit running warmer) or cooler (which will turn the fan on at a lower temperature, resulting in fan noise more often). However, since overall the 2+ runs cooler, the fan will not activate as much relative to a m02 set at the same fan setting.
My personal experience with my 2+ so far reflects these statements. When the fan does go on, it sounds similar to the m2 at the same fan level (so, the fan running at a given speed on a m2 will sound the same as a fan running at that same speed on a m2+). But, since it seems like my 2+ generates less heat overall, the fan goes on less often.”
Here:
http://www.oqotalk.com/index.php?topic=3374.new;topicseen#new
On my original O2 it didn’t make a significant enough difference, the fan still kicked in way too much and the processing power was reduced too much.
I’d really like to be proved wrong on this though on the 2+!
On the fan noise I guess it’s safe to say no LESS NOISE but less often (theoretically)
But with us now wanting/doing more with more multimedia than say 2 years ago and with more “horsepower” under the hood, who knows, maybe this will result in the opposite in real life situations? Meaning more performance/power means we will use more of it?
The fact that it will kick in sometimes and when it does it will sound like the old model is too much for me.
I tried so hard to convince myself I’d be okay with an 02 as it seemed such a nice bit of kit, but O was wrong, it was a real deal breaker for how I use a device.
Hopefully my M528 or Pandora (both fanless) will tun up one day and fill my needs whilst the market sorts itself out! Of course I’ve been hoping for that for a long time now….
Hi Steve!
There should be a setting for the fan in the Control Panel, I think it’s called OQO Settings. I have my o2 set 75% towards Quieter, it doesn’t get too noisy at this setting, with the CPU at 1GHz and the temperature around 50C.
Could you adjust the fan settings to a similar level and let us know if the fan noise is still and issue? Is heat an issue at this setting?
Thanks, and I love your work!
Correct should be similar to on the 02:
http://www.oqo.com/images/knowledgebase/osm_performance.JPG
http://support.oqo.com/cgi-bin/oqo.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=618&p_created=1174064028&p_sid=h3Qdskoj&p_accessibility=0&p_redirect=&p_lva=&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPTEmcF9zb3J0X2J5PSZwX2dyaWRzb3J0PSZwX3Jvd19jbnQ9NzUsNzUmcF9wcm9kcz0zNDUmcF9jYXRzPTAmcF9wdj0xLjM0NSZwX2N2PSZwX3BhZ2U9MSZwX3NlYXJjaF90ZXh0PWZhbiBzZXR0aW5ncw**&p_li=&p_topview=1
Yes it should be similar to on the 02
http://www.oqo.com/images/knowledgebase/osm_performance.JPG
More on this in their (GREAT!) support section:
http://support.oqo.com/cgi-bin/oqo.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=618&p_created=1174064028&p_sid=h3Qdskoj&p_accessibility=0&p_redirect=&p_lva=&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPTEmcF9zb3J0X2J5PSZwX2dyaWRzb3J0PSZwX3Jvd19jbnQ9NzUsNzUmcF9wcm9kcz0zNDUmcF9jYXRzPTAmcF9wdj0xLjM0NSZwX2N2PSZwX3BhZ2U9MSZwX3NlYXJjaF90ZXh0PWZhbiBzZXR0aW5ncw**&p_li=&p_topview=1
More on this in their GREAT support section:
http://www.oqo.com/support/index.html
Thats a good point on the fan settings. It is necessary to adjust them on the current oqo. I then use the leather case (which I hope you have one) to shield the heat. It works fan.
My concern though with the fan is when it kicks in -its pretty loud.
I was hoping with the atom it could be switched off altogether.
I’d say the 2+ doesn’t get HOT so there’s less need to “shield” yourself from the heat unlike previous models. Yes he does have the leather executive case as you can see in the video here:
http://www.midmoves.com/2009/01/another-oqo-2-arrives/
Though some might prefer the HARD CASE due to its superb protection I feel the leather case is the best compromise between protection and size increase. The hard cases do add a significant amount to the size, they also (being metal) don’t really improve the heat experience.
I assure you that by the time you spec this thing out with options it’s going to be three times the prices of the UMID M1 and more than twice as much as the WiBrain.
I cant wait for the UMID to post a definite street date and list price.
While there’s a number of things I dislike with the 2+ and several things I like with the UMID, I will be the first to say that I don’t really put the two in the same category!
The OQOs (despite all my comments) I would put in the Sony, Toshiba, Fujitsu you name it “big-name” laptop/subnotebook category just from pure quality/build quality/performance point of view! Now that for me has a positive and a negative, you get the quality but you also get the price tag, and with us (humans) being more on the go and mobile for each day that passes we also run a higher risk of loosing/dropping/damaging our mobile gadgets. The fact that I had to pay almost the same I paid for my Aigo to just get my OQO LCD replaced (when I cracked it in my pocket) really puts that in perspective for me. The fact that I can get around TEN decent EEE 900A for the price I paid for my last Sony subnotebook (TX750) really makes a difference for me.
While I do agree strongly with JKK’s statement of the last podcast that you need to chose the tool by it’s qualifications and THEN look at price (if you can work around it that way) this really depends a lot upon where you live, where you travel and HOW MOBILE (what kind of risk of breaking/loosing a gadget there is) for me these are relatively high both do to me and my being quite mobile and areas I go to.
So the UMID (and Aigo) just as my EEEs becomes (unfortunately so for the environment) more disposable and thereby more “convenient” for me.
Oh let me just point out too that I really just LOVE the clamshell design over any other really! :)
i’m surprised with an Atom, OLED, SSD they STILL couldnt improve battery life & noise.
Battery yes I agree, fan noise don’t think it has much to do with SSD or not, but size and processing performance, your average notebook has a fan too but it’s just got more “clothes” around it dampening the sound more. That’s one issue with these UMPCs you don’t have much “extra skin” to play with, that affects a number of things.
There is about 20% improvement in power consumption on the 2+ (Windows Idle test) over the model 02.
The first tests look goo and very promising. I’m sure that in the final production model everything will be much better…. We have seen this lots of times before.
I hope you can do some live session Steve, we want to see it working. :)
Have fun with it (I’m sure you will heheh!)
Bassopt
As much as I wish they would improve the unit before it goes up for sale, I have serious doubts there is much possibility of that! Time will show!
ill definitely do a live session soon. probably next week though.
Could you please test the OQO model 2+ for this?
– Booting as Mac OS X 10.5.6. If you need help, go here:
Now OQO is the smallest MAC in the World…Instructions Complete on page 9
http://www.oqotalk.com/index.php/topic,2672.0.html
– Opening PowerPoint 2004 for Mac.
– Using Keyspan | Presentation Remote or similar from Mac.
http://www.keyspan.com/products/prus2
– Playing commercial DVD movies from Mac.
– Playing Apple QuickTime “.mov†movies from Mac.
Thanks!
Common this isn’t going to happen here!
A unit provided to Steve by Intel and he would go out (publically at that!?) and violate EULA, I don’t think so! In fact I don’t think posts encouraging illegal actvity is something that welcome on here. Illegal or not that debate can also be done somewhere else.
As much as I like OSX (and typing this on it!) I don’t see this happening for many reasons.
Also as much as I would like to see Apple jump on the Netbook/UMPC band wagon using it on a device like the OQO that isn’t designed for it just cripples the machine in my opinion not giving the OSX UI the experience it was intended for.
Even all legal issues aside, how much OS X testing have you seen on this site?
Adam already replied to YOU here:
“OX, I’m sorry but OSX is not a supported OS, and I can’t answer any hypothetical questions about how the 2+ may or may not work with it.”
http://www.oqotalk.com/index.php/topic,3374.45.html
OK yes I am assuming that “OX” (talking about the UX Sony) is the same person as “UX” here with more or less the same questions…
This person asked the same exact question to Jenn @ Mid Moves. He/She obviously doesn’t get it.
I think I might be making some progress on the 3G through some more settings i’ve found in ctrl panel. Still not connected but its found an HSDPA network!
Steve
In fact, that last post was made over 3G. Its working now!
OK thought it shouldn’t be much of an issue! Since it’s NOT SP locked and typically you can mix match SW & HW when it comes to WWAN ctrl.
It seems like this is the machine with the most interest hands down. I have been using the 02, 1.6, no SSD running XP Tablet for about 7 months and I have never owned a laptop (although I have used them for travel). In July I was able to read my OQO 02 screen at noon on a sunny day, and I do not have the sunlight optional screen. I get 2 hours on youtube videos on a regular battery running Verizon 3G. But using wifi with the the 3g off I can get 3 hours of use online. Using a spare battery I can be connected from 9 to 5. I never fully shut the machine down unless to update. I put it in hibernate constantly in between tasks and it boots up consistently in 6 seconds on average. This gives me a full day of use without charging. This will stretch your battery life in a sense and the machine does not get hot. I tend to use mine in 20-30 min spurts or less. It only gets hot if I am watching video for over an hour or any other app for 1.5 hours or longer. The fan does not bother me, especially in a noisy cafe. If my company didn’t buy it, I would have had to wait, but it is an amazing machine all around. I have composed many documents on the machine. The only device I would love to get hands on with is the Everun Note 24S, to see if I can touch type. Don’t know if this helps anyone who is on the fence, but if you could get the +2 machine for $999.00 (my unit cost twice that) with at spare battery at Dynamism, or other places, I would get in line. You certainly can not buy any Mac laptop for $999.99, which seem to be the most popular. Fits in every jacket pocket, and I didn’t need to take a class to figure out how to use it.
Yes, you helped me
I´was latelly seriously thinking that the OQO is the ONLY full blown really pocketable PC but that perhaps it`s issues (heat, noise, battery life, etc..) overtake it`s advantages. You seem to put them in perspective. You can deal with them because the advantages are found nowhere else.
So Oqo is now my only choice. Perhaps you can help me again finding a way I can afford it?
BTW. Where did you find a 2+ at $ 999.- and with a spare battery?
ssag,
Check out Dynamism.com, they were saying an availability of March 22. They have changed the price to 1199.00 however originally they were offering $999.99 as the base model. I am sure that the price will come down on the 02 as well since the +2 is the new model. As for the spare battery, they were offering it on all OQO models, but now it seems that they have changed it. However, they frequently offer promotions, including instant rebate of 100.00 which I got on my purchase.
-Brian
Thanks
I`ll keep an eye on them.
BTW, give me a call if you get tired of your OQO
Since Jenn has the HDD, I would be interested in seeing your benchmarks and Windows Experience Index with the SSD.
The crystalmark score is impressive.
53MB/s read. 35 MB/s write with good figures on small block sizes too.
Windows Experience index I can test now…..
http://www.midmoves.com/?attachment_id=538
Steve
How does the OLED screen perform outside? I’ve seen a few OLED screens (on cameras and phones) and while they look stunning in low-light conditions, they tend to wash out badly in sunlight.
It didnt seem to be as good as some LED screens I have. Overall the OLED was ‘so-so’ for me.
We saw this device at CES as well, and we were impressed by how beautiful the OLED display is. But honestly, while the hardware boasts impressive specs, we don’t see such a device ever being successful in the market place. In fact, we are surprised that OQO is making this device after the first one failed miserably. The trouble is that running desktop Windows don’t really work on devices this size. Without a decent user interface, OQO 2+ will remain an expensive toy for the tech savvy’s.
SkratchBoard.com
http://www.skratchboard.com
The device works just fine from an OS point of view, in fact all OQO’s 01, 01+, 02 and now 2+ work just fine with Windows!
The fact that they have now come down to “smart phone” price range, yes there are several smart phones you will pay $1000 for (w/out contracts).
Not really sure what has failed from OQO? Most of us on this site want just that FULL OS in our pockets, for those not needing full OS, there are plenty of other devices that are more mature and better battery capacity as we speak!
Everyone keeps saying that the OQO’s previous model has “failed miserably.” What data are people referencing when they say this? OQO is a privately held company. At the end of the day, no one but OQO knows how many units they’ve shipped, and what sort of profit they’re making.
Their web site is decidedly skewed towards IT managers who need to outfit personnel to meet their companies’ business goals. The perceived lack of sales to consumers may just mean we’re not their primary market.
(Mind you, I think the OQO is a niche product. I’m just not prepared to say anything about how well, or poorly, it has done in the marketplace with utterly zero data.)
Actually I don’t think there are so many ppl that say this but I have a feeling that those who do/did just repeated themselves :)
Anyhow I have been a critique (and still am!) of certain aspects of the OQO devices, nevertheless I have owned so far each edition of it, and still keep it as the TOP OF THE LINE among UMPCs/MIDs despite it shortfalls (for me).
Look at what I found on Flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/groups/oqousers/pool/
:)
Haha this would’ve been exactly what would’ve been in my pockets at the time of this photo:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/eichin/65770887/in/pool-oqousers
It is moronic to play a 1080P video on a 480 line display then complain about battery life. If you have a 480 display then play SD video’s. It is as simple as this.
1080p is obviously not very useful on the device, but you can use it if you were to connect it to an external display. If you are willing to pay for research data on UMPC sales number, you will see that they are indeed not selling well; it’s not just a feeling. It’s not a big wonder that Microsoft is divesting in it. The promise of full PC in a pocket is very alluring, but very few people like to use the tiny controls and user interface that’s designed for much larger screen sizes on UMPCs.
Just our 2 cents.
>If you are willing to pay for research data on UMPC sales number, you will see that they are >indeed not selling well
Aah you can also WITHOUT paying “research” how much marketing there has been for UMPCs/MIDs in the general media… :)
Now there’s going be some radical steps done within battery time and UI on these types of products before you can try to start to convince the public that they need/want it. Now despite what you think of the iPhone, that did to the smart phone market what we need for the MID market. Nevertheless this market will be smaller obviously, how many people have phones compared to computers? Well how many have mobile phones compared to a MOBILE/POCKET computer?
>but very few people like to use the tiny controls and user interface
Is that why the mobile phone industry is booming and have been for how many years now?
>designed for much larger screen sizes on UMPCs.
Well like I said we need the “iPhone revolution” to the MID sector but first some improvements to the product(s)! Or perhaps the route UMID is trying for a MINI Netbook sector? That could also do it.