Hi!
I posted this over in the OQO forum, but thought some of you might like to read it. I own both units, and thought I'd put up some comments.
Cheers!
LZ
*OQO vs. U750P*
*Size*
Winner - OQO. It is truly an engineering marvel. The U750P is too big to put in your pocket, and is somewhat thick. That being said, U750P is much smaller than a laptop or "ultra portable."
*Screen Display*
Winner - U750P. This is a Vaio product with a great Vaio screen. OQO is nice and bright - but there have been a few complaints about streaking, dim corners...etc. My OQO screen looks fine - but the U750P is better.
*Screen Response*
Winner - U750P The touch screen is what you need it to be - predictable. The stylus and screen interact the way you "feel" they should. The OQO uses a "Wacom" pen, meaning the stylus sends a signal to the screen, and the cursor tracks to the pen. This doesn't work as well for me at all. It's barely useable, and the pen never works right in the corners of the screen. Also, and this is important, the OQO screen "feels" like it's got a thin layer of fluid in it. It's a little mushy. The U750P feels solid.
*Keyboard*
Winner - OQO. But this is a shallow victory. The keyboard works, but the straight horizontal design and lack of a backlight feel like yesterdays technology today. The U750P ships with a foldup USB keyboard that works great when connected. Ironically when it's folded up its the size of an OQO!
*Mouse*
Winner - U750P. Both systems employ a trackstick mechanism with buttons operated by the left thumb, and neither is what I'd call terrific. But the U750P's is predictable and easy to get the hang of, while the OQO's pointer tends to drift on it's own after you take your thumb off the trackstick. It also has a poor "feel," kind of like a video game that doesn't respond well to the touch.
*Logical Layout*
Winner - OQO. It will be familiar to folks who use a PC, with a few exception like the mouse nub and buttons. The U750P is a PC when it's keyboard is attached, but without it it is more like a tablet PC, only it's running Windows XP. It takes some getting used to, and in some ways functions like a really big Ipaq.
*Speed*
Winner - U750P. It runs as fast as your laptop, if you've got a mid price range laptop. I have a Powerbook G4, and the U750P does most of the Microsoft office programs and internet just as fast. I am NOT a poweruser - so get on me if you run 3D stuff or anything like that. For my needs they run about the same. OQO is noticeably slower - but adequate for web browsing...etc. That is, when you get a signal...
*Cute Extras*
Winner - U750P. Like the OQO, it ships with a desktop stand and a case. But the U750P also comes with a second case, a portable keyboard, and this really great and useful switch that places the machine in "standby" mode - which is what you'll probably want to do to avoid watching it boot up when you want to use it. You can also rotate the screen of the U750P by the click of one button. Very nice if you, like me, have occasion to use your U750P "Memo Pad" style.
*Wifi*
Winner - U750P The problem here is that OQO has little or no range. I lose my base station when I move over 10 feet away, or into another room. I could get a booster - but I have a laptop at home and don't see the point of using the OQO. These palmtops are meant to be PORTABLE. So I want to use it away from my bedroom! The U750P's range is just fine.
*Heat* (or lack of it)
Winner - U750P. It gets a little warm, but holding the OQO after about 15 minutes is like gripping an Eggo Waffle fresh out of the toaster. I'm only exaggerating slightly - you really need to hang on to the OQO to type on it because it's top-heavy. And that sucker is hot!
*Applications/Peripherals*
Winner - A Tie Both units are compatible with all the programs I've tried. Neither ship with the external CD drives you'd need to install software should you choose not to download programs. This is a drag, as I think for these prices you should get everything you need. I'd like to see more cases, bags, styli...etc. for both units.
*Convenience*
Winner - A Tie You really can stick the OQO in your jacket pocket. You have to put the U750P in it's pouch and carry it like a camera, or stick it in a briefcase. To me the great size and engineering of the OQO is thrwarted by it's poor speed and lack of useable WiFi reception. The U750P is thrwarted by it's larger size and lack of a built in keyboard (though I guess you could use the fold-up model they include in the package...but what's the fun of that?:
*OVERALL WINNER*
U750P. It's just solid, fast, and gives the connectivity you'd want in a palmtop. That being said, I'm sure interested in what OQO has up it's sleeve for a model 02. A stronger Wifi and curved backlit keyboard would do a lot to win this user back over the fence to their side. I also suspect that the U750P is a one-time only offering. It is an offshoot of the Japanese U50 and U70, and they've discontinued those models overseas to my understanding.
I posted this over in the OQO forum, but thought some of you might like to read it. I own both units, and thought I'd put up some comments.
Cheers!
LZ
*OQO vs. U750P*
*Size*
Winner - OQO. It is truly an engineering marvel. The U750P is too big to put in your pocket, and is somewhat thick. That being said, U750P is much smaller than a laptop or "ultra portable."
*Screen Display*
Winner - U750P. This is a Vaio product with a great Vaio screen. OQO is nice and bright - but there have been a few complaints about streaking, dim corners...etc. My OQO screen looks fine - but the U750P is better.
*Screen Response*
Winner - U750P The touch screen is what you need it to be - predictable. The stylus and screen interact the way you "feel" they should. The OQO uses a "Wacom" pen, meaning the stylus sends a signal to the screen, and the cursor tracks to the pen. This doesn't work as well for me at all. It's barely useable, and the pen never works right in the corners of the screen. Also, and this is important, the OQO screen "feels" like it's got a thin layer of fluid in it. It's a little mushy. The U750P feels solid.
*Keyboard*
Winner - OQO. But this is a shallow victory. The keyboard works, but the straight horizontal design and lack of a backlight feel like yesterdays technology today. The U750P ships with a foldup USB keyboard that works great when connected. Ironically when it's folded up its the size of an OQO!
*Mouse*
Winner - U750P. Both systems employ a trackstick mechanism with buttons operated by the left thumb, and neither is what I'd call terrific. But the U750P's is predictable and easy to get the hang of, while the OQO's pointer tends to drift on it's own after you take your thumb off the trackstick. It also has a poor "feel," kind of like a video game that doesn't respond well to the touch.
*Logical Layout*
Winner - OQO. It will be familiar to folks who use a PC, with a few exception like the mouse nub and buttons. The U750P is a PC when it's keyboard is attached, but without it it is more like a tablet PC, only it's running Windows XP. It takes some getting used to, and in some ways functions like a really big Ipaq.
*Speed*
Winner - U750P. It runs as fast as your laptop, if you've got a mid price range laptop. I have a Powerbook G4, and the U750P does most of the Microsoft office programs and internet just as fast. I am NOT a poweruser - so get on me if you run 3D stuff or anything like that. For my needs they run about the same. OQO is noticeably slower - but adequate for web browsing...etc. That is, when you get a signal...
*Cute Extras*
Winner - U750P. Like the OQO, it ships with a desktop stand and a case. But the U750P also comes with a second case, a portable keyboard, and this really great and useful switch that places the machine in "standby" mode - which is what you'll probably want to do to avoid watching it boot up when you want to use it. You can also rotate the screen of the U750P by the click of one button. Very nice if you, like me, have occasion to use your U750P "Memo Pad" style.
*Wifi*
Winner - U750P The problem here is that OQO has little or no range. I lose my base station when I move over 10 feet away, or into another room. I could get a booster - but I have a laptop at home and don't see the point of using the OQO. These palmtops are meant to be PORTABLE. So I want to use it away from my bedroom! The U750P's range is just fine.
*Heat* (or lack of it)
Winner - U750P. It gets a little warm, but holding the OQO after about 15 minutes is like gripping an Eggo Waffle fresh out of the toaster. I'm only exaggerating slightly - you really need to hang on to the OQO to type on it because it's top-heavy. And that sucker is hot!
*Applications/Peripherals*
Winner - A Tie Both units are compatible with all the programs I've tried. Neither ship with the external CD drives you'd need to install software should you choose not to download programs. This is a drag, as I think for these prices you should get everything you need. I'd like to see more cases, bags, styli...etc. for both units.
*Convenience*
Winner - A Tie You really can stick the OQO in your jacket pocket. You have to put the U750P in it's pouch and carry it like a camera, or stick it in a briefcase. To me the great size and engineering of the OQO is thrwarted by it's poor speed and lack of useable WiFi reception. The U750P is thrwarted by it's larger size and lack of a built in keyboard (though I guess you could use the fold-up model they include in the package...but what's the fun of that?:
*OVERALL WINNER*
U750P. It's just solid, fast, and gives the connectivity you'd want in a palmtop. That being said, I'm sure interested in what OQO has up it's sleeve for a model 02. A stronger Wifi and curved backlit keyboard would do a lot to win this user back over the fence to their side. I also suspect that the U750P is a one-time only offering. It is an offshoot of the Japanese U50 and U70, and they've discontinued those models overseas to my understanding.