OQO
 | It has been suggested that this article be merged with OQO Model 02. (Discuss) Proposed since June 2007. |
 | |
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Electronics |
| Founded | 2000 |
| Headquarters | San Francisco, California |
Key people | Dennis Moore, CEO Andrew Popell, Founder, Chairman, Office of the CEO Jory Bell, Founder, Director, Office of the CEO Jonathan Betts-LaCroix, Founder & CTO Bob Groppo, VP Engineering Bob Rosin, SVP Marketing and Alliances Nick Merz, VP of Design |
| Products | Subnotebook computers |
| Revenue | N/A |
Number of employees | 81 |
| Website | www.oqo.com |
OQO is a U.S. computer hardware company, the manufacturer of subnotebook, handheld computers named the OQO model 02 and OQO model e2. Its systems possess the functionality of a tablet PC in a form-factor slightly larger than a PDA. According to Guinness World Records, the "OQO" is the smallest full-powered, full-featured personal computer.[1] The company's first version of subnotebook computer is the OQO model 01. Recently, it has been compared with the Ultra Mobile PC platform, although it was introduced before the UMPC took flight. The UPCs are capable of running slightly modified versions of Linux or other x86 based operating systems.
Company History
Several of OQO's founders (who had worked on the industrial and mechanical design of the "TiBook" Powerbook G4) failed to persuade Apple Inc. (at the time Apple Computer, Inc.) into letting them develop a Model 1-like mobile Macintosh, but Apple's disinterest promoted them to leave Apple and found OQO. After some initial seed money from friends and family, they developed a prototype that attracted the interest of Mike Kwatinetz at Azure Capital Partners, and OQO's first large funding round.[2]
OQO Model 01 & 01+
The original OQO Model 01 was announced several years before prototypes were even seen, leading many people to call it vaporware until it was finally released in the fall of 2004. The computer shipped with Windows XP installed (Home Edition or Professional, but the Tablet PC Edition was not available until the model 01+ was released) and featured a 1 GHz Transmeta Crusoe processor, 20 GB hard drive, and 256 MB of RAM. It included USB 1.1, FireWire 400, a headphone port, and a built-in microphone, integrated 802.11b wireless radio, as well as Bluetooth. The OQO uses a magnetic stylus with a magnetically sensitive 800x480 resolution transflective screen. Retail shipments began on October 14, 2004. It's size is 4.9 in by 3.4 in by 0.9 in and it weighs 0.9 lbs.[3]
==OQO Model 01+==
The OQO model 01+ was announced and released on September 27, 2005. Representing an incremental update to the model 01, the OQO model 01+ features a larger 30 GB hard drive, 512 MB of RAM (Double that of the OQO 01), USB 2.0, and an internal speaker. It also adds support for portrait display mode (An update for the model 01 is available from OQO). It also has a redesigned screen bezel intended to improve the accuracy of its Wacom enabled display (By increasing the space between the bezel and edge of the display).
Originally it was only available running Windows XP Home or Pro editions. The OQO model 01+ running on Microsoft Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005 was introduced on January 4, 2006, taking advantage of handwriting recognition and improved navigation.
OQO Model 02
The OQO Model 02 was introduced by Bill Gates in January 2007 at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. He showcased OQO's next generation of ultra-mobile PC, the model 02, in his keynote address that weighed in at a mere one pound and is small enough to fit in a pocket, the model 02 is the world's smallest fully-functional Windows Vista™ PC.
Like its predecessor, the model 02 Ultra-Mobile PC is a handheld device that runs Windows. The new product sported a new black casing and a beautiful backlit keyboard, a much brighter 5 inch LCD screen, 800x480 pixel display with an active digitizer for pen-based input.
Also introduced was the optional integrated EV-DO modem which . Several models were introduced at the time with processors that ranged from 1.2 GHz to 1.5GHz, and now 1.6GHz VIA processor, choose either 1 GB of RAM or 512MB, choice of hard drives, in the solid state drive (SSD) catagory a 32 or a 64 GB are available or if you prefer the standard HD choices are from 60GB to 120 GB's, Bluetooth 2.0, 802.11a/b/g WiFi, integrated EV-DO (choose between Verizon and Sprint as your carrier), USB 2.0, a 3.5mm x 1 line out/line in audio jack and an HDMI-out port.
The Model 02 also has the ability to zoom to 1000x600 and 1200x720 interpolated modes, a sensor that automatically protects the hard drive in case of a drop. Also made available was a very well designed optional docking station with a DVD+-RW drive, HDMI and VGA video out, three USB 2.0 ports, and a 3.5mm audio jack. Extended batteries were also made available for those who demand longer periods of portability, up to six hours.
The Model 02 has since the time of introduction in 2007 won the following awards:
Stevie Award for Best New Product
Japan’s 2007 Good Design Award
LAPTOP Magazine, Ultimate Mobility Issue: LAPTOP Ultimate Choice 2007
Business 2.0 Magazine: 4 Stars (Editor’s Choice) and "Our Picks for ... Ultramobile PCs."
Microsoft: “2007 Windows Vista PC Innovation Award”
Gizmodo: “The Best of ‘Best of CES 2007’ Lists” (Best Computer)
Popular Science: Best of CES 2007
Wired Magazine: CES Winners and Losers
LAPTOP Magazine: 2007 Best of CES Awards
LAPTOP Magazine Rating: 4 Stars
PC Magazine Editor’s Rating: 4 Stars
OQO Model e2
OQO in September 2007 announced the availability of the model e2 with embedded HSDPA mobile broadband capability, providing customers in Europe and Asia with widely-available high-speed Internet connectivity.
The OQO model e2 with embedded HSDPA is designed specifically to meet international demand for anytime/anywhere computing with access to the Internet and networked PC applications in a pocketable and ergonomic form factor. the OQO model e2 supports "open SIM" HSDPA ("3.5G") as well as UMTS, EDGE, and GPRS.
The model e2 with embedded mobile broadband supports data access through UMTS/HSDPA at 2100MHz, and is downward compatible with GPRS/EDGE networks at 900MHz and 1800MHz. Download speeds of up to 3.6 Mbps are currently supported.
The product is available SIM-free and network unlocked, allowing customers maximum flexibility in selecting their preferred wireless operator and data plan. Users of the model e2 have their choice of connectivity options, including tri-band wide-area wireless, WiFi 802.11a/b/g and Bluetooth 2.0.
The OQO model 02 and OQO model e2 come with a VIA C7-M ULV processor (1.6GHz, 1.5GHz, or 1.2GHz), up to 1 GB of RAM, up to a 120 GB hard drive, with the option of a 32 GB or 64 GB solid-state drive, has Bluetooth 2.0 (with Enhanced Data Rate), tri-mode WiFi (802.11a/b/g) and optional 3G mobile broadband (EV-DO in the US, UMTS/HSDPA internationally).
| Component | Model 01 | Model 01+ | Model 02 | Model e2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CPU | Transmeta Crusoe 1GHZ | Transmeta Crusoe 1GHZ | Via C7M ULV 1.6GHz | Via C7M ULV 1.6GHz |
| RAM | 256MB DDR | 512MB DDR | 1GB DDR2 | 1GB DDR2 |
| Hard Drive | 20GB HDD | 30GB HDD | 120GB HDD or 64GB SSD | 120GB HDD or 64GB SSD |
| Display | 5" Transflective 800x480 | 5" Transflective 800x480 | 5" 800x480 | 5" 800x480 |
| USB | 1.1 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 |
| Wi-Fi | 802.11b | 802.11b | 802.11a/b/g | 802.11a/b/g |
| WWAN | n/a | n/a | EVDO from Sprint or Verizon | HSDPA |
| Bluetooth | 1.1 | 1.1 | 2.0 | 2.0 |
| Wacom | Yes | Yes (Improved accuracy) | Yes | Yes |
| GPU | Silicon motion Lynx 3DM+ | Silicon motion Lynx 3DM+ | VIA VX700 | VIA VX700 |
| Removable Battery | 4,000 mAh | 4,000 mAh | 4,500 mAh or 9,000 mAh | 4,500 mAh or 9,000 mAh |
| Battery Type | lithium ion polymer | lithium ion polymer | ||
| Docking Cable | USB 1.1 | USB 2.0 | replaced by dongle or dock | replaced by dongle or dock |
| Dock | Zinc stand | Zinc stand | Gloss Black w/ optical drive | Gloss Black w/ optical drive |
| Ethernet | 10BaseT | 100BaseT | 100BaseT | 100BaseT |
| Dongle | RJ45 & VGA | RJ45 & VGA | ||
| Keyboard | 57 key | 57 key | 58 key | 58 key |
| Weight | 397g | 397g | 413g* | 413g* |
- Depends on configuration. OQO computers with standard battery, solid state drive, and no WWAN weigh approximately 413g (14.5oz).
Linux-on-OQO
In theory it is possible to run any x86 based operating system on an OQO UPC but the most interest has been with Linux. The first challenge is getting an external USB CD drive that supports bootable discs as the UPCs lack a disc drive of their own. Many individuals have managed to install Debian, Suse, etc. on them, with or without Windows alongside. OQO has an unsupported (by OQO) Ubuntu distribution for the OQO UPC's available at [1] and some documentation and instructions at [2]; alongside this OQO says that installing linux on an OQO UPC will not void the warranty[3]. Many people posting on handtops.com [4] have reported at least partial success. Main problems have generally been driver related, as the UPCs have several special parts, like the Wacom support and the built-in wifi, which have caused many problems.
OS X-Leopard-on-OQO MODEL 02
In April, 2008 an independent enthusiast released both screen-caps and video showing the Mac OS X v10.5 Leopard installed in dual-boot fashion on his OQO Model 02.[4][5] The achievement, believed to be the first in its kind, was announced on the OQOTalk Community. It was quickly picked up by the technology writers at Engadget and Slashdot.
Details and a complete walk thru of the process was made available to the OQOTALK web site after a rigorous testing process was conducted by the father and son team who pioneered this effort and known to the OQO community by the handles "TRF" and "JT".
While the Mac OS X operating system performs flawlessly once installed on the "Worlds Smallest PC", there are still unresolved issues still being worked on as of this writing. Due to the lack of proper drivers, some functions on the Model 02 are not currently functioning properly. Specifically drivers need to be developed for proper screen resolution, digital pen support (wacomm) and video display and playback functionality.
In addition, USB and WWAN modem drivers are found to be functioning sporadically at best. Drivers will need to be developed for these hardware components as well. Additionally the sleep and hibernate functions on the Leopard OS OQO install do not currently function at all. The units battery is quickly exhausted running on this power mode and sadly the long OS X boot up time required by the OQO currently diminish the units use as a portable device with only this operating system.
All reports indicate that all Mac related software installed is functioning properly and indications from users who have installed the Microsoft software suite developed for the MAC OS, WORD, EXCEL, POWER POINT etc. report no problems what so ever.
The President and CEO of OQO, Dennis Moore reported and confirmed the dual boot operation and capabilities of the companies "Model 02" in a post on the OQOTALK web site after he and 30+ OQO engineers and other employees were given a demonstration at the offices in San Francisco by TRF and JT.
He stated on April 30, 2008:
"...watched a demo, which worked pretty flawlessly. Leopard seemed to run a little better even on the OQO than on my Mac Mini at home. VERY cool. Definitely not a fake. THANKS TRF!
-- Dennis Moore, OQO"
OQO laid claim last year to introducing "The World's Smallest PC operating Microsoft Vista", can now and only discreetly, lay claim to introducing "the worlds smallest MAC", as well!
External links
- Official website
- Handtops.com Performance Tweaks
- OQO Model 2 press release
- OQO Talk forum
- Official info on the unsupported Ubuntu version for OQO UPC's
References
- ^ Guinness Book of World Records 2006, ISBN 978-0553589061
- ^ Azure Capital Partners
- ^ OQO Model 01 Ultra Personal (XP Pro) Specs. Tablet PCs Specifications
- ^ Engadget Article - Leopard on OQO
- ^ Youtube Video - Leopard on OQO