Handtops, UMPC - OQO 02 or ???

11/28/07 + ArchiMark

Greetings,

I've found myself to get an OQO 02 lately...

Is it something you guys would consider buying if looking now for a really small device or would you consider something else or wait for the next crop of devices that I assume will be coming out early next year???

Thanks in advance for any and all input!

Mark

11/28/07 + ecsk2

where are you located and what do you need or want to do?

11/28/07 + Tekara

Yeah, knowing your priorities would be great.

On a blind recommendation, I greatly prefer my UX390n over my OQO 02. Better performance, better screen, better reliability, more accurate touchscreen; OQO has the better keyboard though and with the standard battery is more pocketable.

11/29/07 + MeanSquare

The problem with waiting is that there will always be a "next year", with newer models coming out with slightly better features. If you really don't feel the "push" to get something now, by all means, wait until you do. (The alternative is dealing with "buyer's remorse".) If you do want something now, then we can tell you what works for us and why it works. You'll have to draw the lines between our needs and yours (and it would help to know what your priorities and criteria are). Like Tekara, I prefer the UX390n (the 490n is now available with a slight processor update). I've got mine running OSX right now (which as far as I know isn't even possible on the OQO due to the VIA processor).

The main distinction between the UX and OQO is that the UX is designed to be as powerful as possible in a very small package. (So Sony sacrifices a bit of size for more power and standard components and design.) The OQO is designed to be as small as possible while still running a full desktop OS. (So OQO sacrifices power and standards for a custom-built, smaller unit.) The main question takes a few forms, but basically boils down to: "Is this going to be my main computer, or just an adjunct I use for portable computing?" or "Is the software I want to run relatively processor and/or graphics intensive or am I just wanting to run word-processing and other basic apps?"

The other thing to consider is display technology. This is a real "mixed bag." The Sony's graphics sub-system is more capable and more standard than the OQO's. That means you can run Vista, with Aero turned on and not move at a snail's pace (but do you really want/need to do that?) When it comes to driving external monitors, though, the Sony only drives one external monitor in analog VGA up to 1600x1200. The OQO can drive one analog VGA monitor _and_ one HDMI monitor simultaneously and has a higher resolution output. The built-in display considerations are somewhat mixed as well. The OQO has a native resolution of 800x480 with the capability of using an "interpolated mode" (meaning that the screen "fakes" higher resolution with a slight decrease in clarity because there isn't a 1-to-1 pixel-to-virtual-pixel relationship.) The UX has a native resolution of 1024x600. The screens are nearly the same size so text and graphics on the UX appear smaller. If you have trouble reading small print, you can change the Dots-Per-Inch setting on the UX for more readability, but it means you can't see as much on the screen. Most desktop/laptop programs are written for 800x600 at least so they work on the UX without any tweaking (but at the affore-mentioned small size) where you have to use interpolated mode to get them to work on the OQO. (Anything written for UMPCs will work on both machines without issues because the UMPC target resolution is the OQO's 800x480.)

Some other minor considerations:
* built-in keyboard - The OQO's built-in keyboard is better than the UX's -- way better. You can actually thumb-type pretty quickly with the OQO where the UX keyboard slows you down.
* power supply - The OQO gets some of it's size advantage by moving the A/C power sub-system into the charger instead of inside the main unit. This means two things: First, the OQO charger tends to be more expensive. Second, you can't use any 3rd-party chargers with the OQO. However, the OQO _does_ offer an external battery charger adapter (so you can charge one battery while using another) where the UX does not.
* touch screen - The OQO touch screen is "active", which means it uses a special stylus to operate it. The stylus isn't included, but you can get one as an option (but there's no place to carry it built-into the OQO). The UX screen is "passive", which means it will respond to any object, including your finger. The stylus is included and there's a built-in silo for it.
* standard design - I mentioned this earlier, but here's what it means: Sony used an Intel "reference design" in creating the UX. The result is that I can download updated graphics, WiFi card, and chipset drivers directly from Intel rather than waiting on Sony. (The Intel ones actually offer better features and are updated more often.) It also means that I can run OSX on my UX (OSux?) (Although that has as much to do or more with the Intel components versus the VIA components in the OQO.)
* consistent form-factor: The UX hasn't changed size or shape since the 180/90 rolled out. That's four iterations now with the same docking station, power supply, cases, in-car RAM mounts, etc. The OQO has had three iterations. The 01 and 01+ were the same size and shape, but the 02 is larger. That means all the extra batteries, cases, mounts, etc. have to be re-bought if you upgrade from the 01(+) to the 02. If/when the 03 comes out, there's no guarantee that it won't be different again. Accessories can be expensive in themselves and add to the overall cost.

Recent Blog: MeanSquare's Review of the Sony UX (with comparison to OQO)

11/29/07 + rr0123

I have the 02 and the UX also. If I could choose only one, I would take the UX because it is more stable. But on a daily basis and for travel, I use the 02 more because it is more portable and has the better keyboard.

11/29/07 + scoobie

I would wait, there must be new models on the way at ces and cebit

11/29/07 + ArchiMark

THANKS to all of you for responding...really appreciate it!

I should have posted more info in my original post....

@ecsk2

Oops, forgot my signature....tells you my location...

Mark
Silicone Valley Digerati

AS for what I want to do, really just 'light computing'; email, websurfing, music, and occasional other apps...won't be my main driver...but the idea is to have it with me more or less wherever I go during the day...

@Tekara,

Actually, I had a UX90S last year for a little while....nice unit, but felt it was a bit bulky design and keyboard wasn't the greatest, but they're nice devices all in all...

@MeanSquare,

Thanks for your detailed and comprehensive reply!

You're right about waiting for the new model syndrome, can drive you nutz if you're not careful....

Agree with your comparison between OQO and UX's all in all.....

@rr0123,

You're points are well taken and having had a UX, I can see why you'd end up taking the 02 with you more often...which is part of why I'm leaning towards getting an 02....

@scoobie,

On the one hand I'm tempted to wait and see...and on the other hand there are some pretty good deals out there right now on 02's....so tempting to just get one....

Decisions, decisions............

;-)

11/29/07 + rr0123

I'm not the waiting type when it comes to gadgets, but I have to say that in this case I would at least wait until CES.

11/29/07 + ArchiMark

rr0123 said: "I'm not the waiting type when it comes to gadgets, but I have to say that in this case I would at least wait until CES."

Good point, rr0123, but on the other hand, there may be a variety of devices demoed and/or announced at CES, but not necessarily release right away...for example, OQO 02 was shown there I think, but didn't ship until April???.... so could end up waiting awhile....but then on the other hand could buy now and then be upset in January.....

So, it goes...

;-)

11/30/07 + snowviper

Well at least wait until the announcement on Dec 3rd.

11/30/07 + ArchiMark

snowviper said: "Well at least wait until the announcement on Dec 3rd."

Thanks, snowviper...

Seems that all this will add is HSPDPA....which I don't need myself...

11/30/07 + ecsk2

ArchiMark said: "
@ecsk2

Oops, forgot my signature....tells you my location...

Mark
Silicone Valley Digerati
"

Silicone Valley? Never heard of THAT Valley, I HAVE heard of SILICON Valley though

11/30/07 + ArchiMark

ecsk2 said: "

ArchiMark said: "
@ecsk2

Oops, forgot my signature....tells you my location...

Mark
Silicone Valley Digerati
"

Silicone Valley? Never heard of THAT Valley, I HAVE heard of SILICON Valley though

"

Geez...and all this time that I've been living here I thought it was Silicone......

Thanks for letting me know.....

;)

12/01/07 + ecsk2

I'm sure there's plenty of silicone here too

maybe more that te silicon nowdays?

12/01/07 + ArchiMark

ecsk2 said: "I'm sure there's plenty of silicone here too

maybe more that te silicon nowdays?"

Could be....depends where you are located???

;-)