OQO
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Computer hardware |
| Founded | 2000 |
| Defunct | May 2009 |
| Fate | Ceased operations due to financial difficulties |
| Headquarters | San Francisco, California , United States |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Bill Gates (unveiled Model 02) |
| Products | Handheld computing devices, ultra-mobile PCs, tablet PCs |
OQO was an American computer hardware manufacturer focused on producing handheld computing devices, offering tablet PC capabilities within a form factor only slightly larger than a personal digital assistant (PDA). In 2005, Guinness World Records acknowledged OQO's Model 01 subnotebook as the smallest fully functional personal computer available at that time. Launched prior to the widespread adoption of the Ultra Mobile PC standard, the Model 01 established a benchmark in ultra-portable computing solutions. Established in 2000 and based in San Francisco, California, OQO discontinued manufacturing in April 2009 and officially announced its shutdown by May 2009 due to financial difficulties.
OQO Model 01
Debuting in the third quarter of 2004 after significant anticipation, the OQO Model 01 operated on Windows XP (either Home or Professional versions) and was powered by a 1 GHz Transmeta Crusoe processor. It included a 20 GB hard disk drive and 256 MB of RAM. For connectivity, it offered USB 1.1, FireWire 400, built-in 802.11b Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, a headphone output, and an integrated microphone. The device was equipped with an 800x480 resolution transflective display paired with a Wacom electromagnetic induction pen for input. With its compact dimensions and lightweight design, it was a trailblazer in the subnotebook category emphasizing mobility without sacrificing full PC capabilities.
OQO Model 01+
Released on September 27, 2005, the Model 01+ served as an enhanced version of its predecessor. Upgrades included a larger 30 GB hard drive, increased memory to 512 MB RAM, USB 2.0 support, an internal speaker, and functionality for portrait orientation on the display. The screen bezel was redesigned to boost the precision of its Wacom-enabled touchscreen.
Initially offered with Windows XP Home or Professional editions, January 2006 saw the introduction of a variant running Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005, which improved handwriting recognition and user interface navigation.
OQO Model 02
Unveiled by Bill Gates at the 2007 Consumer Electronics Show held in Las Vegas, the OQO Model 02 weighed roughly one pound and was recognized as the smallest fully operational Windows Vista PC available at that time.
This handheld computer ran either Windows XP Professional or Vista Business and featured a sleek black chassis with a backlit keyboard. It sported a brighter five-inch LCD panel with an 800×480 pixel resolution and included an active digitizer for pen input.
Processor options ranged from VIA C7-M ULV models clocked between 1.2 GHz and 1.6 GHz. Memory configurations included either 512 MB or 1 GB RAM, while storage choices consisted of a 32 GB solid-state drive or traditional hard drives spanning from 40 to 120 GB. Connectivity features encompassed Bluetooth 2.0, dual-band Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g), USB 2.0 ports, HDMI output, and optional EV-DO mobile broadband through Verizon or Sprint networks.
Security enhancements incorporated an onboard Trusted Platform Module alongside VIA PadLock hardware encryption technologies. The device supported screen rotation and interpolation display modes and included a drop sensor designed to safeguard the hard drive from impact damage. Available accessories featured a docking station equipped with DVD±RW capabilities, HDMI and VGA video outputs, multiple USB ports, extended battery options providing up to six hours of use, as well as cases crafted from leatherette or aluminum materials.
The Model 02 earned several accolades for its innovative design and technology advancements, including the Stevie Award for Best New Product and Microsoft’s Windows Vista PC Innovation Award in 2007.
OQO Model e2
In September 2007, OQO introduced the model e2, integrating embedded HSDPA mobile broadband aimed at users in Europe and Asia seeking rapid Internet access. This device fulfilled the global market's need for compact portable computing with network-capable PC functionalities.
The e2 model was compatible with "open SIM" HSDPA (3.5G), UMTS, EDGE, and GPRS standards. It functioned on UMTS/HSDPA at 2100 MHz and maintained backward compatibility with GPRS/EDGE at 900 MHz and 1800 MHz frequencies, enabling download rates up to 3.6 Mbit/s.
Available without a SIM card and unlocked from any carrier, the model e2 allowed users to select their preferred wireless providers and data packages. Its connectivity suite included tri-band wide-area cellular, WiFi 802.11a/b/g, and Bluetooth 2.0.
Both the model 02 and e2 were powered by a VIA C7-M ULV processor running between 1.2 and 1.6 GHz, equipped with up to 1 GB of RAM, and offered storage choices ranging from 32 GB or 64 GB solid-state drive options to a 120 GB hard disk drive. These models also supported Bluetooth 2.0 with enhanced data rate, tri-mode WiFi, and optional 3G broadband connectivity (EV-DO for US markets and UMTS/HSDPA internationally).
OQO Model 2+
The "model 2+", built on Intel Atom technology, was first showcased as the "OQO MID" demonstration at the Intel Developer Forum in San Francisco. Officially unveiled during the CES in 2009, it featured Intel Atom processors at either 1.33 or 1.86 GHz, came with 2 GB of RAM, incorporated Qualcomm Gobi global wireless internet capabilities, included a touchscreen interface, and was notable for being the inaugural PC equipped with an active matrix OLED display.
Although planned for release around May 22, 2009, the model 2+ was never commercially launched due to OQO's financial challenges that resulted in halting production.
Bankruptcy
OQO discontinued its operations in May 2009 following financial setbacks. In April of that year, the company began returning devices still under warranty that had not been repaired and declared it would cease providing repair or service support moving forward; however, third-party warranty services continued to be honored.
OQO Model Specifications
| Component | Model 01 | Model 01+ | Model 02 | Model e2 | Model 2+ (Pre-production) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CPU | Transmeta Crusoe TM5800 1GHz |
VIA C7-M ULV 1.2 or 1.5GHz, later upgraded to 1.6GHz |
Intel Atom Z540 1.87GHz HT or Intel Atom Z520 | ||
| RAM | 256MB DDR | 512MB DDR | Options of 512MB or 1GB DDR2 | Available in 1GB or 2GB DDR2 | |
| Hard Drive | 20GB HDD | 30GB HDD | Initially 30/60 GB HDD, later models offered up to 80/120GB HDD or a 32GB SSD | Either a 120GB HDD or a 60GB SSD | |
| Display | Transflective 5" LCD with resolution of 800×480 |
5" LCD at 800×480 resolution |
Active matrix 5" display at 800×480 resolution, available as OLED or LCD | ||
| USB | 1.1 | 2.0 | USB version 2.0 | USB version 2.0 | |
| Wi-Fi | Supports 802.11b standard | Compatible with 802.11a/b/g standards | |||
| WWAN | Not available | Not available | Offers EVDO connectivity via Sprint or Verizon networks | Equipped with HSDPA | |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth version 1.1 supported on both models | Bluetooth version 1.1 supported on both models | Bluetooth version 2.0 available | ||
| Wacom | Included | Included with improved precision | Included across these models | ||
| GPU | Features the Silicon Motion Lynx3DM+ | Utilizes the VIA Technologies/S3 Chrome UniChrome Pro II GPU | Employs the Intel GMA500 | ||
| Removable Battery | Offered in capacities of either 4,000 or 8,000 mAh | Offered in capacities of either 4,000 or 8,000 mAh | Available in either 4,500 or 9,000 mAh options | ||
| Battery Type | Uses a lithium polymer battery chemistry | Uses a lithium polymer battery chemistry | Lithium ion polymer batteries utilized across these models | ||
| Docking Cable | USB version 1.1 interface used for docking cable connection | Upgraded to USB version 2.0 for docking cable connection | Replaced by dock or dongle solutions instead of cables | ||
| Dock | Zinc stand design used as dock base station | Zinc stand design used as dock base station | Glossy black docks featuring integrated optical drives provided for these models | ||
| Ethernet | Supports 10BaseT Ethernet connectivity | Supports faster 100BaseT Ethernet connectivity | Supports faster 100BaseT Ethernet connectivity | Supports faster 100BaseT Ethernet connectivity | |
| Dongle | Provides both RJ45 Ethernet and VGA video output connections | ||||
| Keyboard | Compact layout featuring 57 keys | Compact layout featuring 57 keys | Expanded layout featuring a total of 58 keys | Expanded layout featuring a total of 58 keys | |
| Weight | Weighs approximately 397g | Weighs approximately 397g | colspan=3 align=left|
Approximately ~413g* depending on configuration. | ||
* Actual weight varies based on configuration; standard setup with SSD, no WWAN, and standard battery weighs about 413g (14.5 oz).
External links
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