Building a Better PC by Modules
April 19, 2002 -- 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.
And instead of a special operating software, the tiny OQO computer uses Microsoft Windows XP — the same basic software used in a clear majority of desktop and portable computers. That means OQO's module can run popular software programs such as Microsoft Word and manipulate common computer files.
"This is a full Windows XP computer that fits in a pocket," says Colin Hunter, executive vice president of OQO. And he says that to get a computer to that size, the company's engineers — some of whom designed Apple's successful Titanium Powerbook laptop — had to do "a lot of engineering work." But computer parts developed for ultra-thin notebook computers also helped.
Not About Speed
For instance, the OQO's processor is a chip produced by Transmeta Corp. specifically for tiny computers. The processor uses specially coded software programs that adjust the speed of the chip as needed. By slowing down the processor during idle times, less power is needed from the batteries and allows the computer to run longer.
And Hunter says that since computer components such as the Transmeta Crusoe processor are commonly used in other commercially available portable computers, it wouldn't be too long before OQO's module becomes a retail product. Hunter says a commercial version of OQO — complete with a docking station — should be ready by the end of the year for about $1,000 to $1,200.
Industry analyst Rob Enderle with the Giga Information Group believes that the time is right for such innovative computers.
While corporate and personal computer purchases over the past few years use to be based on faster performance, "It's not about speed anymore," he says. Instead, he believes that users are looking for ways to stay connected to their "personal" data — whether it is work-related spreadsheets or digital photos of the family.
And that's a role that can easily filled by a modular computer which is small enough to be carried anywhere yet can "convert" into an appropriate computer format from desktop to handheld. "Modular computers transform the personal nature of computers," says Enderle.
More Than Just a PC?
Still, others are taking things a bit slower.
In February, IBM had announced its own module computer device called MetaPad. Similar to OQO's device, the MetaPad also features a Transmeta Crusoe processor, a 10GB hard drive and the ability to use standard Windows XP software.
But Kenneth Ocheltree, the project leader for IBM's MetaPad, says that the company is still doing a lot more research — particularly in discovering what new roles the devices may be suited for beyond the traditional PC realm.
For example, he and his team have been testing MetaPads that can accept voice commands and even translate speech to computer text. Such a MetaPad capability might be useful for those who need a tiny computer to do foreign language translations. Other versions of MetaPad might work in cars to aid in navigation, for example.
"We haven't really fixed what this thing will be," says Ocheltree. And without that understanding, module computers such as MetaPad could easily flop much like other revolutionary computer concepts such as the early pen-based computers.
"There was a number of failures in pen-devices before Palm [Pilots] came out," says Ocheltree. "We don't want to just drop something out to the market."