July 12, 2008

OQO Model 02: Moblity Like You've Never Experienced

If you haven't used the OQO Model 02 Ultra Portable Computer and you are a mobile road warrior always looking for the most efficient way to be mobile while out of the office, OQO's Model 02 is one device you should consider for your next trip.

It easily fits easily into your hand and if you're used to typing on the "peckable" keyboard of a smartphone you'll get used to the OQO's keyboard.

The OQO shrinks a full powered computer to the size of a small book. Hopefully my guidance below will help you decide how this mobile wonder could fit into your life.

The OQO is a cross between a notebook computer and smartphone. If you are looking for a tool to primarily make telephone calls, read email, look at a calendar and review tasks throughout the day - stick with a smartphone.

If you are tired of carrying around a computer from appointment to appoint and lugging a computer case in the airport or in a taxi - the OQO is something you really should consider - in fact it's the ideal compliment to a smartphone.

When I'm traveling locally, I don't need access to a computer - I do need my Palm Treo wx smartphone for phone calls and my daily schedule. But when I'm in my home office I need a full powered computer. When I'm going to another state I need a full size computer to keep working - in the hotel, at the conference site, in the airplane, etc.

By itself the OQO works well out of the box, the screen is small so you would not want to type a 500 page essay on it, but it's good for quick computer work - it is a full fledged computer system.

However the beauty of the OQO shines with the docking station and accessories. When you're at a desk you can connect a full size monitor, keyboard and CD player to the OQO and use it just like you would a desktop or notebook computer. When you need to travel - just unplug things and move on. Most offices can lend you a spare keyboard and monitor for extended computer use.

With the OQO all your data can reside in one place (you still need to back it up) but you never have to be concerned with files are on your notebook computer or desktop computer. The OQO could be the only computer you need for the office or for the road.

The only thing I didn't like about the OQO was that it was a bit warm to hold after some time. This is not a huge problem but if you are holding it in your hand for hours you might need to take some forced breaks to let it cool down.

With built in wireless broadband from Sprint and WiFi connectivity you can be online in the office or out of the office. The OQO connected to my wireless network with no problem. And hey - why should there be a problem. It's a small computer - but running Windows - just like I use every day.

If you're an executive always on the run and need full computing power the OQO is a mobile companion you should consider. Starting at $1,300 it's pricing is quite competitive.

tags: mobile , oqo | 0 comments