HTC Advantage X7501 sizes up OQO Model 02

Just about the only thing the HTC Advantage X7501 and the OQO Model 02 have in common is their size.

Both sport a 5-inch display and bear such similar dimensions that choosing between power/functionality and portability may actually not be a decision you need to make.

The HTC Advantage and Model 02 measure 5.26 x 3.89 x 0.63 (0.79 with keyboard) and 5.6 x 3.3 x 1.0 inches, respectively.

Obviously, the price difference between the two devices is incredibly significant (depending on configuration, the Model 02 can be $1,000 more expensive), as are the operating systems (Windows Mobile 6 versus Windows XP or Vista) and internals.

But right now, all of that doesn't matter. The sole purpose of the following pictures is to illustrate size. That's it.

HTC Advantage in tablet mode

HTC Advantage with keyboard cover

HTC Advantage in mini-laptop mode

Keyboard

I have the Model 02 on loan from the lovely folks at Dynamism for a few weeks, so feel free to let me know if there's anything you're interested in seeing in my full review.

Comments

[Bruce Wilson]

I had the OQO 02 for a short period as well (at the same time I'd just purchased my X7500 Advantage). The OQO form factor is really great, although as a long-time touch typist I've never been much for thumb boards. I found the OQO "hard" screen a bit off-putting -- while it does prevent accidental screen errors, I prefer the "soft" screen where I can use either a stylus or my finger -- one of the benefits of the Advantage is it's large screen and QVGA size icons makes use of my finger really easy!

The biggest challenge to me for the OQO is the higher density screen display -- I really like having a higher density display but my eyes just didn't adapt to the tiny text size and I found myself squinting and even getting headaches. That, together with the passive screen were enough for me to return the machine, even though I really liked most things about it.

[Jenn]

What did you think of Vista on it? General consensus seems to be it (and maybe even XP) doesn't belong on a UMPC.

The 02 is much heavier than the Advantage, but I can see why the latter could have trouble finding a place for itself in the mobile-office market. The new XP-based 02s start at $1300, only $450 more than the Advantage. Not a bad price to pay for better specs tucked into a similarly sized package. Battery life can't compare, of course, and sometimes a full-blown OS can be overkill for mobile work.

If the browser were more robust, I think I could get most of my work done on the Advantage and a BT keyboard.

Do you still have/use your X7500?

[Opus]

1st thing, Bruce confuses the screen terms with the OQO, it has an active digitizer screen. I believe terms soft or hard touch refer to passive touch screens where soft is more responsive to anything touching the screen and hard has better inking experience.

My favorite software with the OQO 02 is Microsoft OneNote 2007, great inking experience in landscape or use full page view in portrait.

Jenn, no one has officially compared OQO 02 thumb keyboard to Sony UX, I think many would be interested. What I like about the keyboard is with my big thumbs I can still press over a key without catching others the way they are raised & spaced, and has nice tactile feedback.

Hope you enjoy the OQO 02.

[Jenn]

Hi Opus. It's only been a few days, but so far I am absolutely loving the OQO!

I'm annoyed that a digital pen/stylus wasn't included (all of my devices have passive touchscreens, so I don't even own a pen), but the pointer and mouse buttons are so good that I honestly don't miss not being to interact with the screen. I've never taken to inking anyway, though, so I'm sure others would be VERY annoyed by the omission.

The keyboard is excellent. I like the UX's layout better, but the OQO's is much easier to type on. Tactile feedback is superb, but it's taking me a while to get used to the number pad (lots of right-thumb stretching for compensation).

I think the UX is more comfortable to hold because of its chunkier frame and contoured design. Both aspects have a negative impact on typing, though.

I'm not too impressed by the OQO's battery life. I'm only getting about 2 hours, which doesn't stack up too well against other second-gen UMPCs.

[Bruce Wilson]

Opus is correct -- I got my terminology swapped -- the bottomline for me: I didn't care for the OQO type of screen, having been accustomed to passive (soft touch) screens for so long. The short battery life also put me off -- this, of course, is a key challenge for all UMPC designers. My Advantage lasts for most of a day, has push email, is very easy to use with fingers, both keyboard and on screen -- as I've said before in other discussions I don't think the Advantage should be compared to a UMPC -- it's focused on a different kind of use and lacks both the OS power and ability to do a lot of "PC" things.

[Dlach]

Hey Jenn, When are we going to see that OQO Model 2 review??? I normally stop by Pocketables every few days but since you casually mentioned you were getting a model 2 I've been hitting it at least twice a day. I've read lots of reviews but you the one I trust to do a thoughtful, balanced evaluation. I've been on the fence about getting one and I think your review will help me go to one side or the other. There's only so much anticipation a guy can take!

[Jenn]

LOL, Dlach! It'll actually be about another week before the review is up. I'd like to spend at least 3 weeks using the unit before I make any conclusive comments, and this coming Monday makes only two weeks since I've had the device in hand. The day it was delivered was the day I took the pictures above.

Is there anything in particular you're interested in knowing more about? I only have a preliminary outline and a bunch of notes for the review at the moment, so there's still lots of time to look into certain aspects in greater detail and/or address particular issues.

Thanks for stopping by so often! :-)

[Dlach]

Another week?? Common throw a guy a bone :^) Nah, of course, I think the fact that you actually get to know the device is one of the reasons you've developed such an audience.

So what do I want to know...hmmm...
I guess there really isn't one specific thing. I'd like to pretty much replace my laptop and I'm looking for overall usability. I don't really run any power apps, but I need VNC/RDP to get onto the machines that I do real work on. Mostly, I'm frustrated by not being able to get onto the internet just when I need to, which turns out to be almost any time. The reason I'm attracted to the OQO is they seem to have put a lot of thought into the industrial design. I stopped by a Sony store and tried out the UX. I felt like it was almost there, but just little bit too bulky/clunky to carry with me everywhere. It looks like the OQO could be just that little bit less.

Is there any way you can get insight into the flexibility of the broadband interface? One other thing that is holding me back a bit is that they aren't offering HSDPA, though TNKGRL has hacked it in and it seems designed to be able to. I also worry that WiMAX is just around the corner and I'd be stuck with no upgrade path. The folks at Dynamism seem like the type who could offer upgrades to HSDPA/WiMAX but who knows what they're thinking or what OQO can/will do. I feel like these details are hold back prospective buyers.

Finally, the accessory that I most wish they'd offer is a 1920x1200 laptop shell you could slot it into. I think this would round out the unit nicely for those times you don't need ultimate portability but don't want to be a a desk either. Unfortunately, I doubt they're considering it.

So that's probably more than you wanted to know, if you're still reading, thanks for listening.