More powerful than pocket PCs but smaller and lighter than laptops, a new breed of computers is vying for your attention.
Founded in 2000, San Francisco startup OQO pioneered the placement of a full Microsoft Windows operating system onto a handheld device. OQO's first commercial version of the product won accolades at the Consumer Electronics Show, and a successor was cited by Guinness World Records as the smallest fully loaded personal computer. But OQO kept at it, this year releasing a second generation of its ultra-mobile PC. And some of the biggest names in consumer electronics—including Sony, Samsung, and Asus—are following OQO's lead.
Sony's Vaio UX
This ultra-mobile PC is certainly sharp looking, but it comes at a steep price- and may not be so mobile after all
Pros: Videoconferencing camera, built-in cellular data access
Cons: Expensive, cramped keyboard and small screen; not truly mobile
Bottom Line: Better designed than most, but cheaper and more mobile alternatives abound.
Samsung NP-Q1
The NP-Q1 works like a dream for multimedia, and its flash memory puts it on the cutting edge. But businesspeople might want to look elsewhere
Pros: Giant screen, flash-memory-based drive less prone to accidents
Cons: No built-in cellular capability like competitors, has only onscreen keyboard
Bottom Line: The Q1 appeals more to tablet PC fans and multimedia lovers than businesspeople
OQO's 02
The innovative company's latest ultra-mobile PC will be useful for those wanting PC features in a small package. But it's not for everyone
Pros: Compact, integrated 3G wireless technology, touch scrolling
Cons: Cramped keyboard, bulky, lacks digital camera and built-in memory card reader
Bottom Line: A great addition to the ultra-mobile PC category, but cheaper alternatives abound
Asus R2H
This ultra-mobile PC is beautifully designed for every activity from word processing to gaming. But some of the software is taxing
Pros: Nifty features like GPS, fingerprint reader, and USB mouse; multiple connectivity options
Cons: Some of the Asus-specific software isn't very intuitive
Bottom Line: A great PC for the geekier of the species, though maybe not the average consumer
Founded in 2000, San Francisco startup OQO pioneered the placement of a full Microsoft Windows operating system onto a handheld device. OQO's first commercial version of the product won accolades at the Consumer Electronics Show, and a successor was cited by Guinness World Records as the smallest fully loaded personal computer. But OQO kept at it, this year releasing a second generation of its ultra-mobile PC. And some of the biggest names in consumer electronics—including Sony, Samsung, and Asus—are following OQO's lead.
Sony's Vaio UX
This ultra-mobile PC is certainly sharp looking, but it comes at a steep price- and may not be so mobile after all
Pros: Videoconferencing camera, built-in cellular data access
Cons: Expensive, cramped keyboard and small screen; not truly mobile
Bottom Line: Better designed than most, but cheaper and more mobile alternatives abound.
Samsung NP-Q1
The NP-Q1 works like a dream for multimedia, and its flash memory puts it on the cutting edge. But businesspeople might want to look elsewhere
Pros: Giant screen, flash-memory-based drive less prone to accidents
Cons: No built-in cellular capability like competitors, has only onscreen keyboard
Bottom Line: The Q1 appeals more to tablet PC fans and multimedia lovers than businesspeople
OQO's 02
The innovative company's latest ultra-mobile PC will be useful for those wanting PC features in a small package. But it's not for everyone
Pros: Compact, integrated 3G wireless technology, touch scrolling
Cons: Cramped keyboard, bulky, lacks digital camera and built-in memory card reader
Bottom Line: A great addition to the ultra-mobile PC category, but cheaper alternatives abound
Asus R2H
This ultra-mobile PC is beautifully designed for every activity from word processing to gaming. But some of the software is taxing
Pros: Nifty features like GPS, fingerprint reader, and USB mouse; multiple connectivity options
Cons: Some of the Asus-specific software isn't very intuitive
Bottom Line: A great PC for the geekier of the species, though maybe not the average consumer
