If you are a technology buff or a corporate executive responsible for a sizeable field sales staff, you may have already heard about ‘ultra-personal computers’, or ‘mini-PCs’.  If not, read on . . . your world may have just gotten a little smaller.

    In my personal quest for learning, I've subscribed to a number of online newsletters.  Some day, I'll attempt to remove my email address from those that were never, or are no longer, valuable.  But recently, one of them provided short blurb and an Internet link to a new personal computer -- one that appears to be a significant step in advanced portability for those who are road warriors, key corporate executives, health care providers, or involved with manufacturing, logistics, insurance, government and a wide range of other scenarios.  Here’s what I learned.

    This new computer is called an OQO (www.oqo.com) and its San Francisco-based developers claim it is the smallest, fully functional Windows XP Ultra Personal Computer (uPC) available.  At just 14 ounces, and with dimensions of 4.9 inches long, 3.4 inches wide and .9 inches thick, the unit is one inch taller and wider than my Palm PDA and about twice as thick.  Along with its Windows computing power, the OQO is reported by reviewers to be incredibly connective.  Jory Bell, the co-founder and CEO, who formerly worked as a key designer for both Apple (G3 Powerbook) and IBM (ThinkPad line), believes the unit will soon be a replacement for folks who want the portability and cross-functionality of both laptops and PDAs.

    Founded in 2000, the company's mission was to shrink a Windows XP computer into a pocket-sized device, and in doing so, transform mobile personal computing the way cell phones have revolutionized mobile communications. 

    OQO isn't the first company to attempt making and selling ultra-small personal computers. Sony is already selling two models in Japan. Toshiba also made an attempt for the U.S. market a few years ago, but failed.  Microsoft's co-founder, Paul G. Allen, helped start Vulcan Inc. which indicated it will distribute a handheld PC that it named FlipStart (www.flipstartpc.com) next year.  And Antelope Technologies (www.antelopetech.com), claiming a more ‘industrialized’ focus, according to its top sales executive, started selling its own 'modular' mini-computing system last year.  It is similarly priced and comes with lots of available add-on accessories, including  'ruggedization' and 'weather seal' kits that will protect it from rough treatment, shock and the elements, features often desired and utilized by our military forces, or delivery drivers.

    About the 'bits and bytes' of the mini-PC: the OQO has a slide out thumb keyboard, complete with mouse buttons, digital pen and thumbwheel.  It boasts a 1 gigahertz processor, 20 gigabyte hard drive, 256 megabytes of RAM, an indoor/outdoor color display, and integrated wireless, WiFi, Bluetooth, Firewire and USB ports.  It doesn't have an internal speaker, but comes equipped with a headphone jack and surprisingly critics say it will run your favorite desktop applications, including such high RAM users like PowerPoint, much like a desktop.

    With its docking station, the unit will easily connect to a projector and Ethernet.  A desktop stand permits it to link to any number of peripherals such as a full-sized keyboard, printers, scanners, larger monitors, and portable music devices, like Apple's iPod, and it can shift from one mode to another without requiring any synchronization.

    A significant downside is that this ultra-small computer does not have a built-in CD or DVD drive, the current method most software companies distribute their products.  But unlike the Sony versions, described by some as unruly, which require specific CD/DVD drives, the OQO user could easily connect an external drive through one of its multiple ports.  Mind you that the future of software distribution is changing rapidly as well, where many top-selling programs can now be purchased and downloaded off the Internet in just minutes (Symantec's Norton Antivirus and Intuit's TurboTax are two very popular titles available via this method).

    One of the biggest dangers with laptops, PDAs and other smaller portable devices is what can happen if they are dropped.  OQO engineers have added what they call an "accelerometer", which can detect if the unit is falling and will automatically shut down the hard drive to save data.  There was no test data available to me, so I can’t say if it works.

    The OQO system comes complete with a lithium battery that lasts about three hours, docking cable, desktop stand, power supply, carrying sleeve and digital pen, and sells for $1899 with Windows XP Home Edition, or $1999 with XP Professional.  The limited warranty is 1 year for defects in workmanship and materials on the computer, and 90 days for its accessories.  Two and three-year extended warranties are available for the unit itself.  As of this writing, I haven't seen where the OQO Model 01 is selling in electronics/computer stores, but it can be ordered online at their website.  I’d certainly recommend thoroughly researching everything that’s out there before buying.

    Although some analysts say that ultra small computers are addressing a segment of the personal computer market that doesn’t exist yet, but they believe the potential could be huge.  The price for these systems may seem a bit stout, but if you remember how much that first laptop or notebook computer cost you, an ultra small PC, like the OQO, might just be an excellent value.  These companies and their investors believe so.  They know the world of PCs has gotten quite a bit smaller – now, so do you.