OQO launch new e2 model featuring HSDPA

[HEXUS]

OQO announce its new model, the e2. Though not much has changed, very little in fact, this new model brings with it HSDPA, a much needed feature for the portable device.

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[DR]

I am very keen on these things I got to be careful I will end up with more mobile devices than days of the week

[Funkstar]

Yeah, i've liked OQO devices since they were first released. Good to see technology is catching up with the idea. I know they are still expensive, but at least they aren't quite as bad as they were

Although, there is now a lot more competition in the market

HTC Shift - the only always-connected mobile computer

[nichomach]

we're wondering if the £175 extra you'll be paying for the HSDPA model is justified.

Yes, excuse me, HELL yes... Seriously, if you're in the market for one of these devices anyway, I can see this being an absolute must-have; wonder if you can upgrade previously purchased 2s with the HSDPA adapter. We buy mini-PCI-E adapters to upgrade Dell Latitudes and HP nc6400/6910p notebooks every so often, and the Dell version (Novatel EU860 or EU870D IIRC) will set you back £119 ex VAT, while the HP equivalent (Sierra Wireless) will have you for about £190 ex VAT. Seriously, these are pricey little cards, but the difference they can make to our users even in bog-standard laptops is immense.

[Funkstar]

I'll go further than nichomach's comment. I would only seriously consider a device like this if it had HSDPA. So it's either the £1,286.29 device or none at all as far as OQO is concerned.

[directhex]

over a grand? i think the eee has redefined peoples' expectations for small-form-factor kit. i'd rather have an eee, a usb 3g modem, and a over grand spare in my pocket.

[Parm]

Yep, I struggle to comprehend the price too. I'm all for portability and it looks like such a great gadget but I just don't think I could choose something like this instead of a full size laptop.

Probably has something to do with the concept that people expect smaller things to cost less, doesn't always work that way unfortunately!

[vinnyT]

In computing it has always been small is pricey/desireable (and it's only fairly recently that small can also be useful).This is both small and with a new bit added on, so the cost of this is no real supprise, be nice to have though.

[dangel]

over a grand? i think the eee has redefined peoples' expectations for small-form-factor kit. i'd rather have an eee, a usb 3g modem, and a over grand spare in my pocket.

Yup - couldn't agree more - in fact, I bought one

[baius]

Yep, I struggle to comprehend the price too. I'm all for portability and it looks like such a great gadget but I just don't think I could choose something like this instead of a full size laptop.

Probably has something to do with the concept that people expect smaller things to cost less, doesn't always work that way unfortunately!

It all depends on what you're tying/have to achieve.

You state that "people expect smaller things to cost less". That might hold true for things like cars, where smaller size/smaller engine = lower cost, or even for household goods, where a smaller carton of milk or a smaller tub of marg' = lower cost (usually).

However, I think the majority of people would surely expect a precision-engineered sample (like the OQO), that has been minaturised, to cost more, as more work/time/cost has gone into its' manufacture.

Your do raise an interesting question though - should we look at things based on their outward appearance, and size would be included in that, or on how they function/help/perform?

(Note: We can't look at things purely based on what they cost to produce, bcs if something costs more money to make than what it can reasonably be sold at, it won't be considered competitive by the market-place, and THF it won't sell.)

(Sorry, ranted slightly...)