Floppyhead – Digital Media and Streaming

At the this year’s Consumer Electronics Show, OQO model 02 demonstrated their new model 02, which is a micro-PC capable of supporting Microsoft’s next generation operating system, Windows Vista. The model 02, which is less than 6 inches wide and 1 inch thick, has the following features:

• 1.2GHz or a 1.5GHz VIA C7M ULV processor
• 5″ WVGA LCD
• EV-DO WWAN, WiFi, and Bluetooth
• 1GB of DDR2 SDRAM
• 30 or 60 GB hard drive
• Supports VGA, HDMI, & DVI monitors up to 1920×1200 resolution
• USB 2.0

With the HDMI-out, the USB 2.0 connection and the ability to run Vista, the model 02 is begging to be a portable media center. The USB 2.0 port allows for the use of a USB television tuner, like the Artec USB tuner. Vista’s media center interface could work well on the 5″ screen, especially if the micro-PC could handle receiving broadcast television.

With the ability to run Windows Vista Ultimate, the OQO could serve as a digital video recorder anywhere in a major city with an USB Digital Tuner, regardless of whether Wi-fi is available. With HD programming broadcast for free, the model 02 could be a portable HD digital video recorder that could be hooked up to any high definition television through its HDMI connection.

However, until the Vista version of the model 02 hits the streets, I have questions about the power of the VIA processor to handle broadcast TV through a USB Tuner, especially high definition broadcasts. Also, the unit is not capable of running Vista’s Aero interface, which may have implications for Vista’s media center. One thing is clear though: the OQO provides a glimpse into the future of media centers. The overall computing power in such a small device is impressive, albeit expensive. With time, the price will come down and the features will increase.