The OQO Model 01+ is not quite a handheld computer, not quite a tablet, and not quite a laptop, but mimics functions of all three. It's a 1 GHz desktop PC crammed into a package 5 inches long and 3.4 inches wide.

The OQO seems like a great idea going in, but the controls, the usability, and the simple engineering realities do a lot to knock it down. I think that the OQO would have been better off, rather than the slide-out keyboard, using a twist-and-flip design along the lines of the Sharp Zaurus C-series, or the various "convertible" notebook/tablet PCs. This would have allowed for a larger, more comfortable keyboard, lighting, and better controls, without excessively compromising the small size.
,Br> Even so, it wouldn't have been an ideal device. I think the truth is that the micro-tablet is simply not a device whose time has come. The processor requirements for running a desktop OS are far too high, the power needed to drive that processor is too significant. A near-pocketable device just doesn't have the resources to do it--you end up deficient in either battery life, or speed, or both. The OQO comes about as close as possible to threading the needle, but it's not very practical yet. Looking over the device, my overall impression is that for it's adequate for basic tasks. For $3000 worth of hardware, "adequate" is very bad indeed.

The OQO's pricing starts at $1900, and a model configured the same as our review unit is well over $3000. Given this, I really don't know how Intel and Microsoft can claim that they're going to have devices with much superior specs selling for under $500 in the timeframe they say. Until and unless there's a massive breakthrough in certain technologies, these devices will for the time being remain an extremely niche item, for people who absolutely cannot live without having full PC functions, but refuse to tolerate the size of a conventional tablet or notebook PC. Given the compromises, I'm afraid that's going to be a pretty small market.