3. Powerful Enough – For An Ultraportable

The 1.6GHz VIA processor isn’t the most powerful CPU and the graphics certainly aren’t geared for 3D gaming applications (but then again, this device is not about intensive graphics and computing power). You can run Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Internet Explorer and several other mainstream applications at reasonable speeds. Image processing effects run quickly even with multiple photos loaded. Streaming video and music played without any hiccups, as well. The e2 gets warm but not uncomfortably hot and we noticed the fan more when it was charging than when running several applications at once.

The e2 has a sturdy case and plenty of style, too.

The e2 is full of nice touches, from the stylish case (even the air vents have a design of random circles rather than plain fins) to the power gauge on the battery to the glossy finish on the power brick and accessories. Ports are limited to twin USB, 3.5” audio and HDMI, which doubles up for charging and connecting the VGA and Ethernet adapter. The adapter has a reinforced cable that’s hinged so it doesn’t get in the way if you’re typing with an Ethernet connection - or when connected to a projector and you use the device to make a PowerPoint presentation. The built-in speaker is mediocre but sound quality from the audio jack is excellent, while our only criticism is that the treble is a little too pronounced.

If you need more connectivity, the docking station uses a slot-load DVD+/-RW burner as a base; the swiveling arm lets you put the e2 at a convenient angle and you get three USB ports, VGA, Ethernet and HDMI (with a DVI adapter). At 590g, this only weighs a little more than the e2 so it’s fairly portable, but you’ll also need a keyboard and mouse.

The docking station puts the OQO at a good height for desk work.

The e2’s docking station folds neatly for travel.

Wi-Fi and Bluetooth performance are both good, and OQO includes an easy-to-use utility that controls all three radios so you can turn them on and off easily. It’s the HSDPA connection that distinguishes the e2 from the other OQO models, and keeps it out of the United States. The e2 is unlocked for mobile data, and for the UK, it comes with settings for all the cellular networks included so you can just plug in a SIM and get online. This fits under the battery, but there’s no need to power down; just hibernate and slip off the battery. The pull-out aerial at the side improves reception slightly; it has more effect outdoors than in. The built-in HSDPA goes up to 3.6Mbps and we did get the full speed on some occasions but it was more like a 1Mbps DSL connection than the faster speed you might expect. None of the UK networks have deployed the fastest 14.4Mbps HSDPA speeds yet and 7.2Mbps networks are only just being installed, so this is as fast as it gets for now.

HSDPA in action on the OQO model e2.

HSDPA on U.S. networks like AT&T runs at the same speed currently, which is on par with the speed of EV-DO Rev A on the Verizon and Sprint networks (uploads may be faster with EV-DO on a good day). But the reason the e2 with HSDPA is available in Europe and Asia only is partly the issue of getting approval, and partly the spectrum used for HSDPA. In Europe this is 2100MHz; in the United States, it’s usually 850 and 1900MHZ, so OQO would need to add an extra radio to the chipset to work there. It’s further complicated by T-Mobile, which has bought spectrum in the 1700 and 2100MHz bands - but the 2100MHz band is configured differently in the United States and Europe. Devices will thus still need changes to work in the United States, even when T-Mobile rolls out HSDPA service on these bands. The 2e falls back to EDGE and GPRS when HSDPA isn’t available, but that’s more like dial-up speeds.