OQO Model 2+ questions: ask 'em here

[Guest]

[Ox]

marovada,

Thanks for the information. Yet, all that models are larger, heavier or do not have video-out port (VGA or VGA compatible port). Even the MacBook Air is too large and heavy for us.

I know we will not have direct-support from OQO to boot Mac from OQO. No problem there. I can get such support from the Internet. As far as I know, the problem with PowerPoint 2004 on the previous OQO models when booting as Mac were due to its VIA processor and low native screen video resolution.

Since the new OQO model 2+ has Intel inside (Atom), the only remaining issue is the screen resolution. So, if OQO can increase it, that would do it! We will take care of all the rest! BESIDES, AS SEEN ON PREVIOUS POSTS AND OTHER THREADS, like

http://www.oqotalk.com/index.php/topic,3357.90.html

most people even using Windows are complaining about the poor screen resolution of the new OQO model 2+, being a deal breaker for them. IT IS MY HOPE THAT WE ARE STILL ON TIME FOR OQO TO RECONSIDER THIS SERIOUS FLAW AND BUILD A NATIVE 1024 x 768 or higher-resolution monitor on the brand new OQO model 2+ when finally released on May 2009. They are still on time to fix it!

[galtoid]

Ok, the resolution horse is totally dead.  I think they get the point.

[kyone]

The most common complaint I get from non tech users is that the screen resolution is too high.  It's alright for us tech users but the general business user would not want any higher then 800x480 on a 5" screen.

[mjolah]

The only thing I want to know is anticipated shipping date.  I just order one....  I've had an 01+ and am currently using an02 as my primary machine.  Soooooo, all faults considered, it's still a boost in performance......

[stuartguthrie]

The most common complaint I get from non tech users is that the screen resolution is too high.  It's alright for us tech users but the general business user would not want any higher then 800x480 on a 5" screen.

Agreed! I've *probably* got a bit more experience than a non-tech user but I wouldn't want the screen resolution to be any higher than 800x480. 800x480 in my opinion is perfect and even with that resolution I often rely on the zoom keys. I'd be ok if there was a higher resolution mode available which didn't affect the quality / clarity of the 800x480 mode.

@OQO - you guys have done a great job! The 2+ looks awesome!!! 

Just my two cents.

Stu

[Stuart]

Since there is an optional stylus and not active digitizer, my guess is that the touchscreen is resistive.

[alee]

The most common complaint I get from non tech users is that the screen resolution is too high.  It's alright for us tech users but the general business user would not want any higher then 800x480 on a 5" screen.

It is definitely a niche market... however, that same niche market is willing to pay more for it.  Seems like OQO can manufacture 2 versions of the display pretty easily (previously with/without digitizer, now the choice is LCD or OLED).  Also seems like if the limitation is not hardware... esp. if I'm sitting at work right now driving 2 premium displays with my OQO @ 1680x1050 and 1920x1200, simultaneously.  

Just a matter of whether there's room to floor another SKU... an "enthusiast" model, with an LED 1024x600 display.  Sony's out there marketing at 222ppi 8" display, and that sub-notebook is going to sell like hotcakes.  They're banking on zoom mode and the fact that Vista has fully scalable fonts.  The market is out there.

[dogboy]

Why no Micro SD slot?

[ameen]

System Requirements for Microsoft Office 2008 for Mac:
Display: 1024 x 768 or higher-resolution monitor displaying thousands of colors.
Source:
http://www.microsoft.com/mac/products/Office2008/system-requirements.mspx

I think this is a very good point. In-fact, Microsoft also lists the higher resolution requirement for Windows Office software (not just mac). See this link:

http://office.microsoft.com/en-gb/help/HA101668651033.aspx

[dlach]

Adam,

Will there be any kind of buyer loyalty or trade-in/upgrade program?  My O2 just died with mainboard dead symptoms and I'm out of warranty.  The cost of getting it fixed would be a good chunk of the way toward a new unit.

Best regards,
Dlach

[trf]

The new specs will work much better for OSX.  The Atom processor, being an Intel chip,  works very well with OSX.  The new graphics adapter is a bit of an unknown with OSX but certainly offers much better potential for OSX operation.  The GMA 500 is the new graphics chipset.  Most of the GMA graphics packages work well with OSX so we will have to test it when the time comes but it offers great possibilities.  The newer wwan should also work with OSX.  There is a good possibility of a fully working Leopard install.  Only time will tell. 

Also, for Ox, it is possible that the 02+ would run MS Office.  Only time and testing will tell the story.

[Ox]

System Requirements for Microsoft Office 2008 for Mac:
Display: 1024 x 768 or higher-resolution monitor displaying thousands of colors.
Source:
http://www.microsoft.com/mac/products/Office2008/system-requirements.mspx

I think this is a very good point. In-fact, Microsoft also lists the higher resolution requirement for Windows Office software (not just mac). See this link:

http://office.microsoft.com/en-gb/help/HA101668651033.aspx

Sure, but the difference is that when the OQO boots as Mac, it only uses the NATIVE resolution. That is why PowerPoint 2004 for Mac does not work on OQO when booted as Mac. I have tested it myself (with the great help of "trf") last December 2008, with the OQO model e2.

[Ox]

The new specs will work much better for OSX.  The Atom processor, being an Intel chip,  works very well with OSX.  The new graphics adapter is a bit of an unknown with OSX but certainly offers much better potential for OSX operation.  The GMA 500 is the new graphics chipset.  Most of the GMA graphics packages work well with OSX so we will have to test it when the time comes but it offers great possibilities.  The newer wwan should also work with OSX.  There is a good possibility of a fully working Leopard install.  Only time will tell. 

Also, for Ox, it is possible that the 02+ would run MS Office.  Only time and testing will tell the story.

Thanks for the heads up, trf. As you say, we must test it... Hopefully sooner than later...

[galtoid]

The new graphics adapter is a bit of an unknown with OSX but certainly offers much better potential for OSX operation.  The GMA 500 is the new graphics chipset.  Most of the GMA graphics packages work well with OSX so we will have to test it when the time comes but it offers great possibilities.  The newer wwan should also work with OSX.  There is a good possibility of a fully working Leopard install.  Only time will tell. 

It appears that the GMA500 is actually built from PowerVR IP (the PowerVR SGX to be precise).   All the other GMAs appear to be Intel developed.  But fret not... Apple has licensed the SGX IP so chances are good for quartz acceleration. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PowerVR#Series_5_.28SGX.29

The specs for the GMA500 are impressive (DX 10.1, hardware shaders, etc)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel_GMA#Table_of_GMA_graphics_cores_and_chipsets

[adamg]

Having such a thread is a great idea! Here are some questions. Does the 3G module of the 2+ support the T-mobile 3G US network?

This will be our standard answer to all the "will the 2+ work with carrier X" type questions:

The OQO 2+ has been designed to operate on Verizon Wireless and Sprint networks as well as SIM-based networks including GPRS/EDGE, UMTS, and HSPA.

In other words, the OQO 2+ has not been tested with any carrier networks other than Verizon Wireless and Sprint, and we make no promises or guarantees for carriers other than Verizon Wireless and Sprint.

That being said, the 2+ utilizes Gobi's open-SIM / HSPA architecture, and supports the following frequency bands:

• EV-DO Rev. A 850MHz & 1900 MHz (US Bands)
• HSPA (HSDPA/HSUPA) 850MHz (US), 1900MHz (US), & 2100MHz (EU)
• GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850MHz (US), 900MHz (EU), 1800MHz (EU) & 1900MHz (US)

Further, as of 10/24/08, the following carriers have certified the Gobi module:
•   AT&T
•   Orange
•   Sprint
•   Telefonica
•   Telus
•   TIM
•   T- Mobile (2.5G in the US, 3G in Europe)
•   Verizon Wireless
•   Vodafone

I'm certain this list is probably different now, but I have been unable to locate a more up-to-date list.

Can one do simple video capture (no filtering at all) at 30fps from a DV camcorder 720x480 source with no dropped frames? Thanks! 

We don't have this kind of setup in support, I'm afraid, so I probably won't have an answer here for some time.   I'll ask around and see if anyone on our dev / QA team has played around with this, but if not, please check back/ping me about this in a few months.