New Handheld XP Computer Hits Market
Billed as the smallest personal computer available, OQO launched the second version of its pocketable pen-based computer system on Tuesday.
Measuring in at 4.9 inches long and 3.4 inches high by just under an inch thick and weighing 14 ounces, the OQO Model 01+ is the tiniest commercially available system to be running a full version of Windows XP. The first version, the model 01, was introduced at CES 2004.
The 01+ runs on a 1GHz processor with 512MB of onboard memory, a 30GB hard drive, and has USB 2.0 support. Also added in this revision were improvements to the pen-based digitizer and an internal speaker. A new power supply will ship with the unit allowing the user to connect the device to airplane and automobile power outlets.
"Today's introduction of the model 01+ brings our customers more memory, more features and more performance in the same amazingly small package and all for the same price as the original model 01," Jory Bell, CEO of OQO said.
Other features of the 01+ include a Firewire port, built in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, a 5" W-VGA display capable of 800x480 resolution, and a 3D accelerated graphics card with 8MB of video RAM. OQO says battery life is about 3 hours, depending on usage.
The 01+ will be available for a price of $1,899 USD and can be purchased from the OQO online store, or by calling the company's sales line. OQO also announced a price drop on the original unit to $1,499 USD.
"The OQO remains one of the most unique personal computers on the market and is proving to be valuable in industries such as healthcare and public safety," Rob Enderle, Principal Analyst for the Enderle Group said. "In a world of otherwise similar products the OQO stands out as unique, amazing, and incredibly useful."
Jory Bell and Jonathan Betts-LaCroix founded San Francisco-based OQO in 2000. The two hired several engineers and designers to figure out a usable way to shrink a Windows XP computer into a handheld device. The first device won two awards: PC Magazine's 21st Annual Award for Technical Excellence and the 2005 Mobility Award from MobileTrax.