This article needs additional citations for verification .(March 2023) |
Company type | Private |
---|---|
Industry | Electronics |
Founded | 2000 |
Defunct | 2009 |
Headquarters | San Francisco, California |
Key people | Andrew Popell, Founder Jory Bell, Founder Jonathan Betts-LaCroix, Founder Nick Merz, Founder Robert Ford, Founder Michael Prichard, Founder Bob Rosin, SVP |
Products | Subnotebook computers |
Website | http://www.oqo.com/ (archive) |
OQO was a U.S. computer hardware company that was notable for manufacture of handheld computers. Its systems possessed the functionality of a tablet PC in a size slightly larger than a personal digital assistant (PDA). According to Guinness World Records , the "OQO" was the smallest full-powered, full-featured personal computer in 2005. [1] The company's first version of subnotebook computer was the OQO model 01. It had been compared with the Ultra Mobile PC platform, although it was introduced before the UMPC took flight. The company was founded in 2000. [2]
OQO was reported to have stopped production in April 2009. [3] [4] [5] The company confirmed that it had ceased operations in May 2009 because of financial difficulties. [6]
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 Q3 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 used a Wacom electromagnetic induction-type pen stylus with a magnetic field sensitive 800x480 resolution transflective screen. Retail shipments began on October 14, 2004. Its size was 4.9 in × 3.4 in × 0.9 in (12.4 cm × 8.6 cm × 2.3 cm) and it weighed 0.9 pounds (410 g). [7]
The OQO model 01+ was announced and released on September 27, 2005. Representing an incremental update to the model 01, the model 01+ featured a larger 30 GB hard drive, 512 MB of RAM, USB 2.0, and an internal speaker. It also added support for portrait display mode. It also had 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. A version with Microsoft Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005 was introduced on January 4, 2006, taking advantage of handwriting recognition and improved navigation.
The OQO model 02 was introduced by Bill Gates in January 2007 at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. It weighed 1 pound (450 g) and was small enough to fit in a pocket; at the time it was the world's smallest fully-functional Windows Vista PC.
Like its predecessor, the model 02 was a handheld device that ran Windows (XP Professional or Vista Business.) It featured a new black casing and a backlit keyboard, a brighter 5 inch LCD screen, and 800 × 480 pixel display with an active digitizer for pen-based input.
Several models were introduced at the time with VIA C7-M ULV processors (1.2 GHz, 1.5 GHz, or 1.6 GHz) and choice of 512 MB or 1 GB of RAM. 32 or 64 GB solid-state drives (SSDs) or standard hard drives from 60 to 120 GB were available. Also included were Bluetooth 2.0, 802.11a/b/g WiFi, USB 2.0, a 3.5 mm x 1 line-out/line-in audio jack and an HDMI-out port. The model 02 also offered optional integrated EV-DO mobile broadband with choice of Verizon or Sprint as service provider.
Advanced security features were also provided, including an on-board Trusted Platform Module, and thanks to the VIA C7-M's built-in Padlock features, hardware-level encryption, hashing and random number generation functions.
The model 02 also had the ability to zoom to 800 × and 800 × interpolated modes, horizontal/vertical screen rotation, and a sensor that automatically protected the hard drive in case of a drop. Accessories included a docking station (with a DVD+-RW drive, HDMI and VGA video out, three USB 2.0 ports, and a 3.5 mm audio jack), an extended battery lasting up to six hours, and choice of a soft leatherette "executive" case or durable aluminum "stronghold" case.
The model 02 won the following awards[ citation needed ]:
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 was designed specifically to meet international demand for anytime/anywhere computing with Internet access and networked PC applications in a pocketable and ergonomic design. It supported "open SIM" HSDPA (3.5G) as well as UMTS, EDGE, and GPRS.
It supported data access through UMTS/HSDPA at 2100 MHz, and was downward compatible with GPRS/EDGE networks at 900 MHz and 1800 MHz. Download speeds of up to 3.6 Mbit/s were supported.
The product was available SIM-free and network unlocked, allowing customers flexibility in selecting their preferred wireless operator and data plan. Users had a choice of tri-band wide-area wireless, WiFi 802.11a/b/g and Bluetooth 2.0.
The model 02 and model e2 came with a VIA C7-M ULV processor (1.6 GHz, 1.5 GHz, or 1.2 GHz), 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, 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).
The Atom-based "model 2+" was unveiled at the Intel Developer Forum in San Francisco labeled as "OQO MID" as a "technology demonstration." [8] The model 2+ was formally announced at CES 2009, and was available with a 1.33 GHz or 1.86 GHz Intel Atom processor, 2 GB RAM, Qualcomm Gobi global wireless internet, touchscreen, and was the first PC to feature an active matrix OLED display. [9]
The projected shipping date was around May 22, 2009, but the product never shipped. OQO ceased production because of financial difficulties. [10]
The company confirmed that it had ceased operations in May 2009 because of financial difficulties. [6] In April 2009, OQO started returning unrepaired in-warranty devices. In addition, the company stated that it would no longer offer any repair or service support, although third-party warranties remained in effect.
Component | Model 01 | Model 01+ | Model 02 | Model e2 | Model 2+ (Pre-production) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
CPU | Transmeta Crusoe TM5800 1 GHz | VIA C7-M ULV 1.6 GHz | Intel Atom Z540 1.87 GHz HT | ||
RAM | 256MB DDR | 512MB DDR | 1GB DDR2 | 2GB DDR2 | |
Hard Drive | 20GB HDD | 30GB HDD | 120 GB HDD or 64 GB SSD | 120 GB HDD or 64 GB SSD | |
Display | 5" Transflective 800×480 LCD | 5" 800×480 LCD | 5" active matrix 800×480 OLED | ||
USB | 1.1 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 | |
Wi-Fi | 802.11b | 802.11a/b/g | |||
WWAN | n/a | n/a | EVDO from Sprint or Verizon | HSDPA | |
Bluetooth | 1.1 | 2.0 | 2.0 | ||
Wacom | Yes | Yes (Improved accuracy) | Yes | ||
GPU | Silicon Motion Lynx3DM+ | VIA/S3 UniChrome Pro II | Intel GMA500 | ||
Removable Battery | 4,000 mAh or 8,000 mAh | 4,500 mAh or 9,000 mAh | 4,500 mAh or 9,000 mAh | ||
Battery Type | lithium polymer | lithium ion polymer | lithium ion polymer | ||
Docking Cable | USB 1.1 | USB 2.0 | replaced by dongle or dock | ||
Dock | Zinc stand | Gloss Black w/ optical drive | |||
Ethernet | 10BaseT | 100BaseT | 100BaseT | 100BaseT | 100BaseT |
Dongle | RJ45 & VGA | unknown | |||
Keyboard | 57 key | 58 key | |||
Weight | 397g | 413g* |
* Depends on configuration. OQO computers with standard battery, solid state drive, and no WWAN weigh approximately 413g (14.5 oz).
Dell XPS is a line of consumer-oriented laptop and desktop computers manufactured by Dell since 1993.
The Panasonic Toughbook is a line of rugged computers produced and marketed by Panasonic. The first model, the CF-25, was introduced in 1996. The Toughbook brand mainly competes with other lines of rugged computers, such as Dell's Rugged Extreme.
An ultra-mobile PC, or ultra-mobile personal computer (UMPC), is a miniature version of a pen computer, a class of laptop whose specifications were launched by Microsoft and Intel in Spring 2006. Sony had already made a first attempt in this direction in 2004 with its Vaio U series, which was only sold in Asia. UMPCs are generally smaller than subnotebooks, have a TFT display measuring (diagonally) about 12.7 to 17.8 centimetres, are operated like tablet PCs using a touchscreen or a stylus, and can also have a physical keyboard. There is no clear boundary between subnotebooks and ultra-mobile PCs, but UMPCs commonly have major features not found in the common clamshell laptop design, such as small keys on either side of the screen, or a slide-out keyboard.
The Samsung Q1 was a family of ultra-mobile PCs produced by Samsung Electronics starting in 2007. They had a 7" (18 cm) LCD and were made in several different versions with either Windows XP Tablet PC Edition or Windows Vista Home Premium.
The HP Compaq TC1100 is a tablet PC sold by Hewlett-Packard that was the follow-up to the Compaq TC1000. The TC1100 had either an Intel Celeron or an Intel Pentium M chip set and could be upgraded up to 2 gigabytes of memory. The switch from Transmeta Crusoe processors to the Pentium M and the ability to add memory was welcomed after numerous complaints about the poor performance of the TC1000. The TC1100 was the last version from HP in this style of tablet. It was replaced by the HP Compaq TC4200, which featured a more traditional one-piece design.
The Classmate PC, formerly known as Eduwise, is Intel's entry into the market for low-cost personal computers for children in the developing world. It is in some respects similar to the One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) trade association's Children's Machine (XO), which has a similar target market. Although made for profit, the Classmate PC is considered an Information and Communication Technologies for Development project (ICT4D). Introduced in 2006, the device falls into the then popular category of netbooks.
Asus Eee is a family of products by AsusTek Computer Inc. The product family began with the release of the Eee PC subnotebook in 2007; since then, the product family has diversified into a number of PC form factors. According to the company, the name Eee derives from "the three Es," an abbreviation of its advertising slogan for the device: "Easy to learn, Easy to work, Easy to play".
The ASUS Eee PC is a netbook computer line from Asus, and a part of the ASUS Eee product family. At the time of its introduction in late 2007, it was noted for its combination of a lightweight, Linux-based operating system, solid-state drive (SSD), and relatively low cost. Newer models added the options of Microsoft Windows operating system and rotating media hard disk drives (HDD), and initially retailed for up to 500 euros.
TravelMate is a line of business-oriented laptop computers manufactured by Acer. Of the various notebook series Acer has offered, the TravelMate is designated as a lightweight business and professional computer built to withstand day-to-day activities. Travelmate laptops are well received by reviewers, often, however, they are faulted for a lack of visual appeal. The TravelMate name was previously used by Texas Instruments, which sold its mobile computing division to Acer in 1997. The TravelMate mainly competes against business computers such as Dell's Latitude, HP's EliteBook and ProBook, Lenovo's ThinkPad and Toshiba's Portégé.
HP TouchSmart is a series of tablet PC laptops and touchscreen all-in-one desktop computers designed by HP. It features various Intel or AMD processors and runs Windows Vista or Windows 7 as standard.
The Sony Vaio P series is a range of ultraportable subnotebook computers launched in January 2009.
The Dell Inspiron Mini Series is a line of subnotebook/netbook computers designed by Dell. The series was introduced in September 2008 amidst the growing popularity of low-cost netbook computers introduced by competitors.
HP Mini is a former line of small computers categorized as netbooks manufactured by Hewlett-Packard. They either contained a custom version of Ubuntu Linux, Windows XP Home Edition, or Windows 7 Starter operating system. Like most netbooks, they were not built with CD/DVD drives.
The Vaio X series is a line of high-end ultraportable notebook computers from Sony introduced in September 2009, claiming to be the world's lightest notebook, at 655 grams ( ). It features an 11.1", 16:9, 1366x768 LED-lit LCD screen with built-in webcam, 2GB of DDR2 RAM, a choice of 64, 128 or 256 GB SSD, Intel Atom Z540 1.86 GHz or Z550 2.00 GHz, WWAN.
Sony VAIO AR series was a range of high-end multimedia notebook computers from Sony introduced in June 2006 as the first laptop with integrated Blu-ray drive. It replaced the AX Series. It featured a 17" 16:10 widescreen LCD screen, with choice of 1440x900 or 1920x1200 resolutions. It was replaced by the AW series.
The Acer Iconia is a range of tablet computers from Acer Inc. of Taiwan.
The IdeaPad S Series is a series of notebook computers launched by Lenovo in October 2008. The IdeaPad S10 was initially scheduled for launch in September, but its release was delayed in the United States until October.
The first laptop in the IdeaPad U series was the U110 launched in 2008 by Lenovo. Showcased at CES 2008, the laptop also launched the IdeaPad series itself, and received the Best of CES 2008 award. The IdeaPad U series was a line of Lenovo's consumer line of laptops, combining Lenovo's traditional engineering with design changes that were significantly different from ThinkPad products.
The IdeaPad Y series was a consumer range of laptops produced by Lenovo, first announced in 2008. They were marketed as premium high performance laptops for multimedia and gaming, as part of the IdeaPad line.
The Lenovo IdeaCentre is a line of consumer-oriented desktop computers designed, developed and marketed by Lenovo. The first IdeaCentre desktop, the IdeaCentre K210, was announced by Lenovo on June 30, 2008 as a consumer-focussed alternative to the business-oriented ThinkCentre and ThinkStation brandnames acquired from IBM. While the IdeaCentre line consists entirely of desktops, they share a common design language with the IdeaPad line of laptops and hybrids. One such feature is Veriface facial recognition technology.