Building a Better PC by Modules

April 19 -- First, there were desktop computers. Then came portable laptop computers and, more recently, handhelds. But a new developing class of computers promises to eclipse — as well as encompass — all of those previous iterations of the humble PC.

Two companies, industry stalwart IBM and a tiny startup called OQO (pronounced "oh-que-oh") Corp., are working to produce so-called "modular computers." These devices pull out the vital PC components — the microprocessor, memory, and hard drive — and place them into a package typically no larger than a stack of index cards.

By separating a computer's heart, soul and mind from the rest of the parts, proponents of modular design say it will lead to truly personal computers.

For example, a worker with one modular core computer could replace two separate computers at the home and office. Slip it into a docking station attached to a monitor and keyboard and the user would have access to the same data at work or at home.

Need to work while traveling? Slip the core into a laptop "shell" and it would function just like an ordinary portable computer. If a mobile user needs something more compact, the core could be slipped into a tiny "cradle" with a touch sensitive screen and act like a handheld computer.

Module computing isn't entirely new. Some companies have experimented with the concept since the early days of portable computing. But the rapid advances in computer technology are making modular computers a much more attractive — and commercially feasible — possibility.

A PC In Your Pocket?

Earlier this week, San Francisco-based OQO showed off a prototype of its modular computer to attendees at a Microsoft conference. The "ultra-personal computer" device measures approximately 3 inches by 5 inches by 1 inch — roughly the same size as many handheld computers such as 3Com's Palm Pilot.

But unlike those devices, OQO's module is a complete computer. It features a 1GHz microprocessor, 256MB of memory, a 10GB hard drive, a 4-inch color touch-screen and wireless connections to the Internet and other computer networks. Rechargeable lithium polymer batteries will power the unit for 3 to 9 hours depending on usage.