Can a PC Fit in Your Pocket?

OQO is promising that its new pocket-sized computer packs the power of notebook PC. Called the Ultra Personal Computer, or UPC, the device comes with all the bells and whistles usually found in notebooks, but at a much smaller size.

The UPC weighs in at about 0.8 pounds and measures 4.9 inches by 3.4 inches by 0.9 inches. It was on display at the recent Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

"The computer has the same power and functionality as a thin, light notebook," says Andrew Popell, chairman of OQO. The UPC can do everything from connecting to a network to playing MP3 files and watching a movie, he says.

The computer has a 1-GHz Transmeta Crusoe processor running Windows XP, and features 256MB of RAM, a 20GB hard drive platter that attaches to the bottom of the device, and a 5-inch wide TFT LCD screen.

A button located in the middle of the 57-key thumb keyboard operates as the mouse. A wheel on the side panel of the computer scrolls the screen.

Convertible Computing

The screen can slide over the keyboard, and a bundled digital pen can convert the computer into a PDA.

It also has a USB 1.1 port, a FireWire port, integrated 802.11b networking, and Bluetooth. A docking cable that comes with the computer has a 3D video card, an Ethernet port and additional USB and FireWire ports.

It runs a lithium polymer battery and can run for between two and six hours on a single charge, depending on the application being run, says Popell.

The product will be available in the third quarter through San Francisco-based OQO's Web site. The company could not provide an estimated price.

See PC World's complete CES coverage.