How come every post has become negative?

[Guest]

[nomad416]

How come every post about the OQO E2 has become very negative?  ...

Forums like these sometimes sound like media news; bad news seems to get more attention.

Maybe those OQO users (like myself) who haven't yet experienced serious issues are just busy using their OQOs for their work, and not finding enough time to post their positive views of the OQO on forums.

[3goldens]

Wow, this is really a bit of a whiney thread.  I have to say I disagree that the Model 02 is "not a pocketable" device, I carry mine in my back pocket, Levi's, all the time.

I had some initial problems during the first couple of months but I am now going on must be since November without any major problems what so ever.  I am dismayed to read some of these posts and learn of the troubles being experienced by our international friends. 

There are with out a doubt inherent problems with the device, and I am afraid that some people do experience this more than others.  But sometimes I wonder is it solely the device and the way it is manufactured?  I expect that in any mass produced device some things are bound to go wrong especially in something this size and gets that hot!

Dennis has commented generally on the overall rate of RMA's for the unit and that it is low comparatively speaking.  Those that do find their way to this forum have found many solutions to their problems by seeking the experience of those who were early adopters of the unit and have gone down many of these roads.  Certainly some of these problems are directly hardware related but I think it should be kept in mind that the return rate for the unit may not be what t seems based solely on the comments of members on this forum, which is a small sampling to make such generalized comments without having access to the actual facts, which we do not.  I am not even sure anyone knows how many Model 02's have been actually sold since its introduction.

Is it possibly the expectations of those who purchase 02 also play a factor in the process   we are seeing.  What can one can reasonably expect from a unit this small?

I never was of the school of it being a desktop replacement, a device that could stay on all day, power down, quickly, start up quickly, have the processing power to do some of the tasks one has come to expect from a desktop processor that has double, triple or quadruple the speed. Some believe this is possible and do it, not me.  My personal opinion on this is that this is taxing the device unnecessarily and thereby asking for trouble.

I believe many who buy this little gadget expect it to perform with the efficiency of a much larger computer and have very grand expectations for something that is supposed to be a pocketable portable computer.  It is not meant to be all things to all programs and people.  There are a few things it does not do extremely well, like play video's but there are far more things that it does exceptionally well.  Certainly in my opinion, better than any other device in its class.

I suppose there are some things some of us have to sacrifice and either get used to what it can do, and used to what it can't do, and just accept its limitations and move on.  That until the technology is there to solve all of the current limitations and issues AND  the needs and desires for the "perfect" over all portable unit. 

We also need to understand that OQO is not a Sony, Samsung or Apple for that mater and they are not capable of producing new devices with the speed and timing that technology is moving these days.  Many would like to see this happen very fast but I just don't think OQO can do that. 

Personally I'm not in favor of that, I like that they are small and don't change their product line every 15 minutes.  I like the fact that the CEO drops in here every so often and comments, and helps and gets involved, that I can personally email him when I need to address something and he responds to my email.  I never experienced that with Sony or Samsung and I don't recall the last time Steve Jobs returned my call!

Also a rapid OQO product change would break my bank! I am always in for a new gadget and willing to go into hock to get it! (Don't get any ideas there Dennis!)

The time that R&D coupled with overall product development takes a long time.  I'm not sure how long it too to go from 01 to 01+ to 02 but I am sure it was at least a year.  I am sure we will be seeing an 03 in January of 09 with many of the problems faced by the 02 solved and many new and exciting features being incorporated, and, unfortunately probably a new higher price!

Having said all this, this does not excuse many of the service related problems this company has been plagued with for a long time.  But this has changed so much during the course of the last year and many of you were not around or had to experience this.

Speaking as one who has been around for here a while now, having had several units, well. more than several, 8-10? I have never been shy or minced words or been afraid of confronting OQO publicly when I felt this was needed.  Things at OQO have changed radically for the better since Dennis has joined the company and I am certain that the international community is being heard and the problems being experienced will be corrected.

This is just not the same company I personally experienced with my 01 and early 02 life.  OQO is listening to its customers and the people who use this thing on a daily basis.  Problems are being heard and are being solved.  They respect their customer base and have become in my opinion corporate good guys who, if possible do everything in their power to make sure their customers are happy and stay loyal to the brand.

So that is my blah blah for tonight!

[Bungee]

I expect that in any mass produced device some things are bound to go wrong especially in something this size and gets that hot!
Dennis has commented generally on the overall rate of RMA's for the unit and that it is low comparatively speaking. 

I think the problem is that most owners do not considered their OQO as a "massed produced device". I would care less, say that a cheap low-end UMPC starts acting up within a month of user (ahem, ASUS, ahem), but not for something like what I paid for my OQO. Although I don't think we will ever get to see it, I'd be very interested in actual data on the RMA rates (including major reasons for failure), and how they compare against products like the Sony UX. I do wonder if cutting-edge boutique electronics are suppose to have higher than normal RMAs since most of my electronic gear are trouble-free.

Don't get me wrong, despite suffering RMAs, I see owners like Sandy and myself who are still infatuated with our OQOs (I just got mine back from RMA#2 today, hurray!). I just wished they don't break so easily. Note to OQO, I wouldn't mind paying more than I already do for a more durable device. Here's to Model 03/e3! 

[tatongi]

 I think the problem that we are expecting to much fro our device. When I bought my OQO e2, I knew that I am buying new technology in fact still under evaluation and test and you wish to be from the luck once who had no problem with this new technology accepting the risk that I am will not be from the lucky once.
From my point of view the problem not fro the rate of RMA but the time your device takes for return back. I don’t think any one will complain if he got his device within 2-3 days even if It will be sent several time but still in the acceptable rate for new technology.
We must accept some compromises for having cutting age technology and no one can deny his pleasure when every on show interest in his OQO and the panafites he got fro this device.
I am in Egypt and may be I am the only one who has OQO. I bought it from Hungary knowing the risk that if something happened, it will take very long time to get it back because it has to be sent to Hungary first.
I think all complaining will the first once to buy the e3 and till then they are keeping their e2.

OQO e2. HSPDA, Vista Ultimate, 120G

[kyone]

My OQO is on RMA #2.  It was 40 days for the first RMA and so far 3 weeks on the second.
[Australia via Dynamism]

I have been using it as my only computer since day 1 so when it has to be sent away I really find it difficult to keep my files organised.

Only tonight I had to email my boss to ask for information that I should have had. 

I am a big supporter of the OQO but unless they can reduce the downtime for repairs then I might have to think other wise about relying on it in the future.  I just hope I get it back soon so I can get back on track with all my data.

I also agree that the reason so many posts are negative is that no one needs to hear about the benefits as they are very well known.  If anyone has a problem this is the place they will come.

[3goldens]

I hear what your says guys.

Whether we want to believe it or not I am afraid pretty much everything is mass produced today and that goes our the beloved OQO.  As far as the rate of return comapared to another unit like the Sony, I think it would be difficult to make a comparison, I may be nuts but I think the Sony, in all of its different configurations and models has sold many many more units than the Model 02.  I would venture to guess that the 02 was not even a blip on the Sony UMPC radar sales.

I am shocked at the length of time it appears to be taking for the international community to get their units repaired and return.  I would have thought there would be some relatively straight forward solutions to this problem in this day and age. Seems to me this should not take 40 days or 3 weeks, there is just no excuse for that.

OQO ships directly from the factory to the US and to be honest I do not know how the fulfill to international customers, but there are couriers like DHL, who I think is the largest in may regions, that I am sure if they negotiated some kind of arrangement it would be possible to have returns expedited through a courier like them, returned to the US or wherever, a central location in Europe for repair and turned around in a matter of days like here in the US and returned to the client by way of the courier.  If OQO was confident enough about their product, and the need for warranty service, they would consider making an exclusive arrangement with one of the couriers available there for those who need expedited service or for even those who don't and are willing to perhaps pay a portion of the shipping charges. 

Apple  during the warranty period send you a box , the unit is picked up by a courier, and taken in for repair and returned to you within a reasonable period of time.  AND you are notified all the time where it is and what is going on.

I mean come on kids there has to be a solution to this problem!  40 days and 40 nights with your OQO is just a torture no man or women should suffer!

I am amazed kyone you would use this as your main computer without a backup unit and knowing what you know about the possible downtime the unit experiences.  Why not get a back up, I mean that might not be a possibility but even a refurb or one from another member is selling theirs. 

That may sound extravagant but it sure is good precaution to take.  Mine sits doing nothing most of time and I think about selling it and then I get a job out of town and then I'm happy to have held on to it and both are packed for the trip for that "just in case" scenario.

[kyone]

I have access to lots of computer (besides OQOs) so I can grab a new laptop when i need it.  I had done a complete image of my OQO HDD a week before it crashed but I need it back to restore the image to get the data.

I don't like to think that i need two of the same computer just to have one for backup.  It should be more reliable.

My only complaint is the long repair times.

I'm now travelling for work and really miss my OQO.

[3goldens]

Oh that's great I misunderstood I thought this was your only computer, my apologies brother.

[kyone]

Techincally OQO is my only computer,  but I do have access to other computers from the different companies I work for.  All of my data is on one computer, OQO.

Now I am on a company laptop with data all over the place.

Bottom line if you use OQO as your only computer ie you don't syn your data with other computers then back up regularly, more so then other popular brand laptops.

[bristolview]

Kyone -  Agreed on the backup.   I use Folder Share to sync in the background.    this allows me to sync with my server and work notebook in near real time.    I used to use Groove, but on the OQO it was a bit heavy.    Folder Share provides much of the same features, but without the overhead.

[bristolview]

I disagree with some of the posts in this thread.  Let me explain...

"There will always be issues with mass produced stuff"

This is true, but I do not think this is a major issue for OQO.   OQO is largely a boutique, not would I'd consider mass produced.   the fit al finish I materials, and construction on my OQO is top notch, excellent in all areas.   At the production costs where it was put together, I think the assembled it very well; mass produced or not.  In this regard, I think that OQO did a very good job; mine still fails on a regular basis.   Why?    Design issues.    the best assembly and manufacturing cannot fix inherent design short comings.   

"People are expiating too much from a device like this"

Some perhaps, but not me.  The performance of the OQO is quite respectable to me; not fast but not bad for most things.  The battery life is reasonable, the radio range is ok;  the screen is very good...   When mine is working, it's quite good.

The failures I've seen, that I do not feel I'm expecting too much...
01. It failed to boot, unreasonable expectations on my part? 
02. Keyboard ceases to work; unreasonable expectation?
03. "Tablet Driver stopped working" so there goes Tablet functionality; unreasonable expectation?  [This could be a Vista this, but if So... why don't my other Vista tablets do it, ever?"
04. Wacam Driver unexpectedly stopped working; unreasonable expectation?
05. WiFi radio just disconnects for no apparent reason, within feet of the router so it's got a strong signal; unreasonable to expect it to maintain a network connection?

Ok, you get my point.   These are not manufacturing problems, or to assembly issues.  My OQO appears to be fantastic in these regards.   The issues I listed are due to weak design, not build and not due to unreasonable expectations.  In my opinion, the OQO is a demonstration of fantastic form factor, acceptable performance compromises for the size of the device, and it's very well assembled.   Unfortunately, all that positive cannot cover up inherent design short comings.   (BMW and Jaguar both produce beautiful high performance cars that are a pleasure to drive; one goes and goes while the other often needs a little TLC from a mechanic.  My BMW has about 279,000 miles on it, all original with no repairs beyond maintenance and a new clutch (but the air conditioning doesn't work).   My neighbor's Jag (Gorgeous!) has under 80,000 miles and is on it's 3rd transmission, 2nd radiator and has had an engine rebuild.   He often jokes about trading.    No way, but it sure is pretty.   Come to think of it, my OQO sure is pretty too.)

[charlieboy]

Hmm

Been looking at this one and not commenting for a few days. I am so used to work arounds these days, on all platforms and applicstions, that i just take them for granted. I have work arounds for all of the problems on the OQO. Is it a build quality issue, this is a difficult question for anyone other than OQO to answer. I suspect it is not about the main components and the overal assembly. I guess there are some smaller components that are not quite up to the standard of the rest:

Aerial covers - redesigned and RMA offered to all affected.
Scroll sensors - no offical redesign but a definate weaak point.
Batteries- from what i hear really badly fabricated and far too delicate.
WiFi signal - annoying power saving mode to extend battery life. i moved my wifi at home to componsate!
Wacom driver - XP & Vista no fix from OQO but fixable by restore to old config.
Tablet feature failure - As above

As for expectations you pay your money an make your choice. Perfect for me I use 3 machines IBM T60, IBM T42, both with dual screen docking stations and OQO. One IBM in the office, the other at home. I do not carry laptop any more.
Sync data to OQO, and then use it to carry data between work and home.
Meetings for powerpoint looking up data takings notes etc.
Travelling catching up on email, car mount etc
90% of my web browsing on it.
24 7 tech support on network repairs and installs.

I now have enough faith in the OQO that I have used over the last few weeks as my only PC on a number of big installs.

I would never use the OQO as my only PC, I am a power user and this is too much of a compromise. Luckilly I have 2 units and no problems on either.


Charlie

[Dennis Moore]

Techincally OQO is my only computer,  but I do have access to other computers from the different companies I work for.  All of my data is on one computer, OQO.

Now I am on a company laptop with data all over the place.

Bottom line if you use OQO as your only computer ie you don't syn your data with other computers then back up regularly, more so then other popular brand laptops.

Folks --

Sorry I've been absent lately (work overload).

I know people will roll their eyes with how obvious this is, but it has been my experience that if you don't do regular backups then you don't do backups at all.  It's a good idea to get in the habit of doing daily backups, and there is plenty of easily accessible and affordable technology for doing so.  This is good for accidental deletions, Microsoft Outlook corruptions, precious memory preservations, and avoiding kicking yourself for being dopey.

At home, I have a 200GB hard drive connected over USB, and one button push backs up my OQO.  I also copy that off (manually -- something happened with my RAID-sync setup) to a home server because I never want to lose my family pictures, favorite MP3's, or my work.

With any laptop, OQO or otherwise, it is even more important to backup your data, because it is hard to pull the hard drive and extract the data (doesn't support standard cables that you could use in an old desktop in your house or at work).

Just my $0.02 ...

-- Dennis Moore, OQO

[lark]

Folks --
Sorry I've been absent lately (work overload).
I know people will roll their eyes with how obvious this is, but it has been my experience that if you don't do regular backups then you don't do backups at all.  It's a good idea to get in the habit of doing daily backups, and there is plenty of easily accessible and affordable technology for doing so.  -- Dennis Moore, OQO

With all due respect Dennis, I do not think backing up is the answer to most of the underlying problems with the OQO that have been posted. Users have posted issues with repair time, hardware issues, wifi, Wacom drivers. Backing up, while a sensible solution to HD failure, has no relevance to those problems.

I started looking at OQO 02 prior to its release date. Although I had just purchased a Lenovo x60T 2 months before the CES announcement, I considered getting the 02 and using it as my only computer. Due to delivery delays, I cancelled my order and stuck with the x60.

I am still tempted by the OQO, but have backed off somewhat on whether it is possible to use it as a sole computer. If it can not perform as my sole computer, I will not get one. I do not want to have 2 OQOs. I need to be ably to rely on one machine that is the repository and infrastructure for all of my information.

I really like that you visit this site and comment on posts. As others have stated, what other CEO does this?

[fixup]

I still think oqo itself is fantastic as a pocketable PC. What failed to me is to use it as my only computer and the only always ready mobile device. In the end, the best current techology for me is still two devices: a mini notebook like the eee PC and a smartphone like Moto Q.

I know what I'm talking about. I've been playing with tiny laptops such as libretto for 10 years. Even Toshiba service department often direct users to my website for help (fixup.net).