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Sunday, June 03, 2007

« What Mobile Gear Do You Lug On Vacation, If Any?Main  | Lenovo Thinkpad X61 Tablet PC First Impressions »

OQO Model 02 Does Yellowstone

- Rob Bushway

IMG_0551 I've spent the last two weeks on vacation, the last week of which was spent in Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming. I'm pleased to say that I took very little technology with me, except for a camera, my phone, a Zune, and an evaluation unit of the OQO Model 02 Tablet PC.

As a mobile computer, the OQO really shone. The integrated Sprint Broadband wasn't of much use to me due to poor Sprint coverage, though. To check email periodically, I tethered it via Bluetooth to my phone and connected via Verizon.

I've only got a few niggles with the OQO, and they are mostly similar to what others have experienced. The biggest negative, in my opinion, is the lack of a pen garage, which meant I needed to remember to bring an active pen with me everywhere I went. The only other negative is that the max memory is 1gb. According to OQO's Bob Rosin, the 2 gb version of the memory chip has not been manufactured yet. I thought I would miss touch on a device this small, but after using it for a week, I can attest that the lack of touch is a non-issue for me now due to the slide-up screen.

It has been a long time since I've been able to say that I've thoroughly enjoyed a tablet pc, but the OQO Model 02 brought that joy back for me this past week. With its small size, easy to use keyboard, snappy processor, and active digitizer, my experience has been nothing but positive. I'm going to really enjoy using my own OQO Model 02 within the next few weeks.

I took some pictures of the OQO Model 02 enjoying the Yellowstone experience, and thought I'd share those with everyone, along with a few other pictures. Click on the thumbnails for a larger view.

IMG_0206
The Model 02 fit perfectly in the side compartment of our car, kept neatly out of the way, side by side with some necessary DVDs for the kids.
IMG_0210
The Model 02 in the center console of a Suburban on our way to Yellowstone
IMG_0518
Preparing for a hike, the Model 02 tucked away in the top compartment of my backpack.
IMG_0523
Out on a hike 
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The Model 02 taking a rest on a log after a long hike 
IMG_0528
The Model 02 doing a little stall surfing in an out-house on the trail. 
IMG_0548
Cleaning up from the out-house with some hand sanitizer.
IMG_0551
Caught braking the rules..shame on you. 
IMG_0555
Taking a rest by a canyon. 
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Looking over a valley. 
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My wife and I, as seen through the eyes of my daughter 5 year-old daughter, Zoe.
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An isolated shower near Fishing Bridge. 

 

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6/3/2007 6:39 PM MST  

OQO Model 02 Does Yellowstone     Comments [12]  |  Digg This |  del.icio.us |  Citations 
Sunday, June 03, 2007 7:51:25 PM (Mountain Daylight Time, UTC-06:00)
Lynn and Olga would be proud.
Sunday, June 03, 2007 10:53:28 PM (Mountain Daylight Time, UTC-06:00)
Hey,

seems like you really love the OQO2 :)
It's a really nice device, congratulations!!!!!

From the pictures you took, the "An isolated shower near Fishing Bridge." is amazing :D

JayZ
JayZ
Monday, June 04, 2007 4:13:34 AM (Mountain Daylight Time, UTC-06:00)
I don't want to belittle your OQO post in any way but thats an awesome photo of the isolated rain shower.
Did'nt you take that picture of the sun rays through the clouds onto the outbuilding last year?
Steve.
Monday, June 04, 2007 5:35:48 AM (Mountain Daylight Time, UTC-06:00)
So it's bad enough for my wife when I bring a computer with us on vacation, so what does your wife think about you bringing the OQO out like a member of your family at each site you visited? Must have given her the willies! It gave me the willies to see your expensive toy balanced on top of the outhouse toilet!
Bruce Schipul
Monday, June 04, 2007 6:03:22 AM (Mountain Daylight Time, UTC-06:00)
Haha, wow, I hope you cleaned it off with a disinfecting wipe after the outhouse picture ^_^. And it looks like a huge monolith of a device in the "Looking over a valley" picture! Cool!
Tracy
Monday, June 04, 2007 7:10:11 AM (Mountain Daylight Time, UTC-06:00)
Rob, and Dennis,

Soon you will both own a OQO, but I have a question: What will you do with your gadget bag? Since the OQO fits in a pocket, will you pack a bag full of gadgets, but no notebook or tablet?

The OQO makes you a truly mobile person, but what happens to the bag?
Michael Venini
Monday, June 04, 2007 7:31:15 AM (Mountain Daylight Time, UTC-06:00)
Depends on the destination. As a systems engineer, I still need my Lenovo X61 on a daily basis for client work and heavy notetaking. i suspect the X61 will stay in the bag now more than it used to, but it i still necessary at times. But when running around a network, in the car, at lunch, on a plane/train/auto trip, the OQO is gonna reign.

There is no doubt this is going to make me rethink my whole gadget bag. Once I get it, I'll report back. I have never personally done a gadget bag InkShow, so this may be coming from me soon! :)
Monday, June 04, 2007 8:33:59 AM (Mountain Daylight Time, UTC-06:00)
Nice pix!
Monday, June 04, 2007 9:20:55 AM (Mountain Daylight Time, UTC-06:00)
I just took my OQO model 2 on a camping trip to Pennsylvania Dutch country, but didn't think to take photos of it in an Amish buggy. I gig get a pic of the MS with it in a Cafe in Lancaster city.

http://picasaweb.google.com/kamalot/Pennsylvania/photo#5070188680591872322

Where the OQO came in handy was uploading photos from the campsite using my Treo as a Bluetooth modem, and for looking up directions on Mapquest.
Tuesday, June 05, 2007 3:22:39 AM (Mountain Daylight Time, UTC-06:00)
Were you able to use it outside? I tried mine here the other day. It was a hot, sunny day and I thought I'd sit on the terrace with a cold beer and do some writing on the OQO. From my previous quick test in the winter (sun was shining) I thought I would be able to read the screen. Unfortunatly, I couldn't see a thing even with the brightness up. That's the first minus point I have with it though but it is an important one for me.
John in Norway
Tuesday, June 05, 2007 10:00:31 AM (Mountain Daylight Time, UTC-06:00)
use in direct sunlight was pretty poor, but general outdoor viewing was fine, as you can see in the pictures.
Rob Bushway
Tuesday, June 05, 2007 10:39:56 AM (Mountain Daylight Time, UTC-06:00)
Michael:

it all depends on where I'm taking the OQO. I'll likely still carry my backpack to client sites, and just put it in the top pocket. I'll keep a stoaway keyboard and mouse in there as well for those "just in case" purposes.

Rob Bushway
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