New competitor to the handheld marketplace

[Bruanor]

I just came across this today, seems theres an OQO competitor coming out. Very interesting device, larger screen and HD than the OQO, plus a camera, but no touch screen.
Very similar devices overall, but with some differences in features. Could these really compete with traditional handhelds? Would you considering moving from the PPC to a full fledged pocket computer?


http://www.flipstartpc.com/default.asp
editor's note: Cool Post! Modding it up to the front page.

[nigeljedi]

That is definitely a cool idea. I'm not sure I would buy one, though, because I'm sure they'll start out at laptop prices...or more. Right now, I don't even own a WiFi OR Bluetooth equipped piece of hardware, so that most assuredly wouldn't convince me to buy.
But, nevertheless, it IS a cool gadget. I mean, if money were of little consequence to me, I would have one!

[Bruanor]

I think its safe to say that they will be in the laptop price, not the pocket pc range. I found a posting that said the OQO would be from $1500-$2000US... OUCH..

[nigeljedi]

Yeah. I absolutely won't have one then. I would rather have a nice, new, powerful laptop.

[bkbroil]

I need to see more specs on it....but I think I would consider buying this instead of replacing my laptop next year (I typically replace my computers every 2 years). In other words, keep my laptop for big applications and buy one of these for traveling. I fly out of town every week and I've already gotten to the point where I only take my Ipaq into my meetings...but I still take my laptop to use in the hotel room.
If the price is around $1000 and it can take all Microsoft Office applications I would consider it.

[bkbroil]

Then again....if I see one of those Mpx first....you can throw this one out the window...

[bkbroil]

Ok here's the 411 from Teleread
The year's gee-whiz award goes to Microsoft cofounder Paul Allen, whose company showed a full-fledged Windows computer the size of a videocassette. The MiniPC FlipStart weighs just under one pound, yet runs Windows XP Professional and contains a 1 gHz Transmeta Crusoe processor, 256 MB of random-access memory, a 30 GB hard drive and built-in Wi-Fi networking."
Just six inches wide and four inches deep and an inch thick. The 5.6-inch screen displays two-thirds of a page. Price: Between $1,500 and $2K. Let's hope that comes down soon. With the screen in the portrait mode, just what a nifty e-book tablet this could be! Also think about the educational portential when the price from FlipStart is right. Far lighter, far smaller, than a full book bag! An auxiliary keyboard could meet heavy-duty typing needs.
This is a bit pricey.

[Bruanor]

woo! my first front page post
... but ya it is pricey, no touch screen, and I dunno how comfortable it would be reading an e-book on this.. decision maker to me.
Bru...

[knelson]

I am trying to get a client hooked on the idea so they have to get me one for testing.

[bkbroil]

woo! my first front page post

Yo Bru, do you feel a rush! Ain't it great?
I'm a Pocketpcaddict addict.

[Bruanor]

ya all proud of myself hehehe
Bru...