|
The OQO model 02 move the UMPC space from a novelty vaporware into an actual work horse worth carrying.
I have been using the OQO 02 for a few days now and been running it through its paces. Here is how I operate so you know exactly how I am using it. I have a 1 1/2 hour each way so 3 hours of bus time a day. Plus I am always on call so I need to be able to citrix into my environment at anytime or in worst case login to anyone of my 4 sites using a cisco VPN client.
I have the higher end oqo, with 1.5 chip and 1GB of ram with the sprint wireless card built in.
Battery Life
Currently I only have the standard battery as my road warrior pack has not arrived yet. If I am using no wireless option the battery will almost get 4 hours on the standard batter. If I am using my sprint card the time drops to about 2 1/2 hours, so if you are a true road warrior and do not wish to bring an adapter with you then the extended battery is much needed. I will tell you how that works when I receive it.
Processor Speed
When compared to the sony the speed is lacking but from experience it is great. Running office application like one note with firefox at the same time on my sprint card it works great no hickups no issue. Now if I want to play DVD's that I have ripped to VOB's on the device with the other applications at the same time you have to make some minor changes. First, I use windows media player classic and not that resource hungry standard media player. Also under your control panel, oqo lets you adjust the performance from cooler to hotter. This directly relates to the speed at which the processor is running. They give you this option because at full speed the oqo sounds like a little jet in your hands. Its a high pitched sound almost like one of those novelty fans you get at the dollar store to blow on your face.
Usability
The keyboard on the OQO and the Track Stick, are my primary forms of input even though the device can act like a tablet. The keyboard is fantastic and when compared to the sony it was the primary reason for choosing the OQO over the WUX. The keys are great and tactile, the function keys handle just about everything and the full number pad that also acts as function keys which I do use in many applications. The keyboard can be a tad wide and that may cause you problems if you have small hands. You will not be typing on this as fast as your blackberry but you will be surprised how fast you can get.
Overall I have to say this device fills the hole that I have been needing to fill. My full laptop every where I go and small enough to fit in my pocket. What the UMPC market as a whole needed to finally become a useful tool rather then vaporware was the addition of EVDO, that turned this device from a novelty to a real work horse.
|
