OQO's Model 01+ is an impressive little mobile computer. A little larger than a deck of playing cards, it runs standard versions of Windows XP Home, Pro and Tablet PC and is elegantly designed.

Unlike most mobile computers available today, the OQO doesn't use a lower power CPU from Intel or AMD. Rather it's outfitted with Transmeta's low power Crusoe TM5800 central processor. The processor's frequency range is supposed to be 667 MHz to 1 GHz, but I've seen evidence that it can run at lower speeds, 300 MHz for example. At 1 GHz the TM5800 can draw as little as 6.5 W and that's while providing Northbridge functionality, which is built into the CPU. How well does the CPU perform? I'll talk about that a little later.

For all its fine features, the Model 01+ has some serious faults. First, its performance is significantly below that of the Toshiba and Fujitsu laptops included in this review, though its battery acquits itself quite well. Second, it runs a bit hot for a computer designed to be held in your hand. Third, though a good deal of thought went into the Model 01+, its tiny keyboard and display and poorly designed thumbwheel limit its usefulness. It's difficult not to think of it as possessing most of the limitations of a PDA and few of the advantages. To be fair, though, Windows XP Tablet PC Edition does help overcome some of these limitations. Fourth, because it's so slow, the OQO makes a very poor desktop computer when you use its docking cable to attach a keyboard, mouse and monitor to it.

Fifth, and most important, given its other faults, the OQO costs too much. The model I tested runs $2,100 when purchased from OQO. Toshiba's Libretto U100-S213 goes for around $1,800 and Fujitsu's MobilityGuru Editors Choice award winning Lifebook P1510D costs about $1460. Granted the two laptops don't come with the same range of accessories as the OQO, but that doesn't account for the over $600 price difference between the OQO and the Fujitsu.