OQO is finally shipping its first “ultra-personal computer” in volume. The pocket-sized Model 01 offers a full-sized PC's worth of functionality, including a 1GHz Transmeta Crusoe processor, a 20 GB hard drive, and 256 MB of memory. It can run most any PC-compatible OS, including Linux.

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OQO unveiled a prototype of its ultra personal computer in April, 2002, at Microsoft's WinHEC conference in Seattle, positioning it as a brand new category of mobile computing device. At that time, Executive VP Hunter (who formerly worked at Transmeta, where he managed Linus Torvalds, among other distinctions) asserted that the device had the potential to “transform personal computing the same way the cell phone has revolutionized telecommunications.”

In its final production implementation, the compact (4.9 x 3.4 x 0.9 in.), albeit hefty (14 oz.) Model 01 boasts a 5-inch “outdoor-readable” 800×480 (wide VGA) display with 3D-accelerated graphics. One particularly clever touch: the device's LCD screen slides on a rack-and-pinion mechanism to expose or conceal the built-in thumb keyboard. Additionally, an ambient light sensor automatically adjusts the display's backlight to the appropriate level for the surroundings.

Built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, FireWire, and USB offer flexible wireless networking and peripheral expansion. User input mechanisms integrated directly into the device include a 57-key thumb keyboard with mouse buttons, a “TrackStik” pointing device, a multimode thumbwheel, and
digital pen support. To safeguard the built-in shock-mounted hard drive, a motion sensor parks the drive's heads before impact.

Summary of specs

Key features and specifications of the OQO model 01 include:

• Processor — 1 GHz Transmeta Crusoe
• Memory — 256MB DDR DRAM
• Display — 5-inch Wide-VGA (800×480) LTPS TFT, outdoor readable
• Graphics processor:
  • Silicon motion Lynx 3DM+
  • 8MB video RAM
  • Dual display support
  • External displays at 1280×1024
  • 3D acceleration; “millions” of colors
• Storage — 20 GB shock-mounted 1.8-inch hard drive with drop-protection
• Human input:
  • Thumb keyboard
    • 57 keys total
    • 12 function keys
    • Number pad
    • Smart modifier keys
    • Mouse buttons
  • TrackStik pointing device
  • Digital pen
  • Programmable thumbwheel
• Audio:
  • Windows AC97 compatible
  • Internal microphone
  • Stereo headphone
  • Multimedia controller support
• Built-in wireless:
  • Wi-Fi
  • Bluetooth
• Input/output ports:
  • USB 1.1
  • FireWire (1394)
  • Headphone/headset jack
  • Multimedia controller jack
  • Power connector
  • Docking connector
  • External antenna connector
• Docking cable includes:
  • 3D accelerated 1280×1024 VGA video
  • Additional USB
  • Additional FireWire
  • 10base-T Ethernet
  • DC power
  • Audio out

Availability

The Model 01 is now available from the company's website for a base price of $1899.

 
This article was originally published on LinuxDevices.com and has been donated to the open source community by QuinStreet Inc. Please visit LinuxToday.com for up-to-date news and articles about Linux and open source.