Samsung Q1 gets $1,200 price tag in Korea

We've seen the official price for the TabletKiosk eo ($900). Now another UMPC has gotten its first official price, and it's an even further cry from the original "about $500" price point once expected for these devices. The Korean version of the Samsung Q1, expected to go on sale next month, will go for close to W2 million, or roughly $2,000 W1,199,000 (about $1,250). Sure, the Korean version comes bundled with a DMB TV receiver, USB keyboard, auto adapter and other accessories, but considering that just about every phone, PMP or electric toothbrush sold in Korea seems to include DMB, and you can get a full-fledged tablet PC for well under $2,000, we really have to wonder who Samsung's targeting with this (other than, of course, the usual coterie of fans who will pick up anything promoted by a team of spokesmodels).

Update: As pointed out by several people, the Korean price will actually be W1,199,000 (about $1,250), not W2,000,000 (about $2,000), as reported. Not exactly a huge bargain, but certainly better than the price we originally reported. We've updated the headline and post above. Thanks to everyone who caught this.

[Nomi @ Apr 12th 2006 2:09PM]

It's just unbelievable to me that these companies just don't get it. They create ho-hum products that are marginally more advanced than current products, charge ridiculous amounts of money for them, appropriately fail, waste so much money, and then keep stockholders wondering why their shares keep falling. Technology is a becoming commonplace, and I simply refuse to buy an exhorbitantly priced product if it isn't making a significant improvement on a previous idea or is a completely new idea in itself. Companies need to stop wasting their time on things like this unless they can lower the price to a point where it no longer becomes a major purchase, but a normal one. Just look to the explosion of digital cameras and what it really took to make them everyday tools.

[floydcash @ Apr 12th 2006 2:17PM]

Why anyone would buy this over a ultra compact laptop or handtop is beyond me. Does somebody actually think carrying around a screen, a keyboard, a dvd drive, and a bunch of cables in a bag is a step up from a laptop is completely frickin nuts.

[Reggie @ Apr 12th 2006 2:20PM]

That's the thing. If it has an on-screen keyboard, why would you need an external keyboard? And do you really need a DVD drive?

[John Braiden @ Apr 12th 2006 2:36PM]

I think the tablet was doomed because it was the same size as most laptops. What is the incentive to switch to a tablet when you can have a laptop with a keyboard.

Now the UMPC has a very desireable form factor and I'll pick one up as soon as Dell starts producing them.

[Roy @ Apr 12th 2006 2:42PM]

Today is a big Korean news day.
Samsung has also apparently said they will be offering a VIA based UMPC and it was reported at http://www.telecomskorea.com/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=3798&Itemid=2

However, you have to pay money to read the article so I was only able to glean
"A company official said on Wednesday, �The Via chip-based UMPC can be priced at slightly over $ 700. The model name is not decided yet."

off of Google News. Interesting just the same.

[ck @ Apr 12th 2006 2:49PM]

the website said basic price of Q1 is 1,199,000Won =1,199 Doller

You mean $2,000 is including Keyboard, GPS, ODD, Extra Battery?

[Your Mom @ Apr 12th 2006 2:56PM]

If it comes with the girl, I'll take the one on the right!

[suv4x4 @ Apr 12th 2006 3:16PM]

"If it comes with the girl, I'll take the one on the right!"

Your right or mine right?

[V @ Apr 12th 2006 3:40PM]

I just read original page that was linked...
and it cost 1200000 won (1199000 won to be exact) which is ~$1200 USD with currency conversion. also, if you consider the fact that computer components usually are more expensive in korea compare to USA, when it comes here, it should be about $1000. I think this post just doubled the price which is very inaccurate.. (although i still think 1000$ is expensive for this whole UMPC thing)

[daschupa @ Apr 12th 2006 3:40PM]

I can understand the need for one of these, but for 2000 I'd rather get an ultra compact vaio. It's 599 or less or it's the vapor bin for UMPC in America.

[Layne @ Apr 12th 2006 3:49PM]

Roy is correct that there was the VIA based UMPC announcement too.

In reply to the critics who have posted, your premises are not correct regarding the purpose of the UMPC. You may want to spend more time reading the sites that are carrying the UMPC news, check out the UMPC videos, and threads on why people are interested in the UMPC. The UMPC is a great idea and hopefully Samsung will reach their goal of producing 300,000 units the first year despite sites that are being negative.

OrigamiProject, Ultranauts, UMPC Buzz, UMPC Focus, UMPC Site, and many others (too many to list) should be read before people make rash decisions about the UMPC.

[steve-o @ Apr 12th 2006 4:10PM]

You normally pay additional markups on new release electronics in Korea. Even at a higher premium people are willing to pay extra dough for new gadgets. People are willing to pay +$500 cell phone without any additional $ incentive/rebate and that's general population. $2000 UMPC definitely will not fly here in the U.S. but considering its cool factor, it's not unthinkable in Korea.

[Brian @ Apr 12th 2006 4:11PM]

It's strategy and economics. This product allows them to price discriminate so people who have a willingness to pay of $2,000 or greater (Innovators) have a product to buy and the rest of the market with a lower WTP will buy cheaper tablets. It also gives Samsung a marketing edge of premium and cutting edge.

[Your Dad @ Apr 12th 2006 4:32PM]

One of the most reliable things in life:
1) Post photo of Asian spokesmodel(s) with gadget.
2) Receive comment "does it come with the girl hyuk hyuk hyuk" or similar sentiment from nimrod who imagines he's the essence of wit and originality.

[mike @ Apr 12th 2006 4:54PM]

It's strategy and economics. This product allows them to price discriminate

---

Yes but let's be honest here.. no one is stupid enough to buy these things.. THEIR SOLE SELLING POINT is that they're smaller, cheaper than a laptop. This $2000 solution is just clunky and lame. A detached keyboard? What happened to the onscreen thumb keyboard?

Nothing in the article appeals to me (okay the models are nice).

Question for Bill Gates: What do you have against laptops? What problem does UMPC solve?

[SL @ Apr 12th 2006 4:58PM]

also people who have never been to Korea doesn't realize that their $2000 isn't as much of a value as our $2000. for them, $2000 is about as much as our $1500. Yes, it is still pricey, but when you consider the fact that they get cell phones priced at almost $600 without any hesitation, I wouldn't be surprised if this is a big seller.

also another thing to consider is the fact that notebooks are more expensive in Korea in general than in US. Being a korean and knowing how they operate, I am not surprised at this price.

[Contro @ Apr 12th 2006 5:15PM]

I'll take both PCs home if I can take both of those korean samsung booth babes as well.

[shin @ Apr 12th 2006 5:46PM]

Currency rates fluctuate and under current exchange rates this IS priced at about 2k US dollars. That said, Korean companies sell products (all products from phones to computers to cars) at a higher price to their domestic market and this helps to subsidize their ventures overseas. On the flip side, the S. Korean consumers get the stuff first and the rest of the world gets it after everything has been de-bugged and economies of scale have been reached. This machine will debut for a lot less in the rest of the world (if it reaches the rest of the world).

[Major Malfunction @ Apr 12th 2006 6:18PM]

$2k? hahaha... no really, it said $2k? BWAH HA HA.

Oh god, someone pick me up, I'm laughing too hard to stand.

*SNORT*

[Todd @ Apr 12th 2006 6:38PM]

1,199,000.00 KRW
South Korea Won = 1,243.506 USD
United States Dollars
1 KRW = 0.00103712 USD 1 USD = 964.209 KRW


Get it right!!!!

[OMAC @ Apr 12th 2006 7:35PM]

"Yes but let's be honest here.. no one is stupid enough to buy these things.. THEIR SOLE SELLING POINT is that they're smaller, cheaper than a laptop. This $2000 solution is just clunky and lame. A detached keyboard? What happened to the onscreen thumb keyboard?"

Count me stupid enough to buy one of these assuming the price is $1000-ish. I am more interested in the Asus model with the built-in GPS. It is going to replace my laptop and car stereo, with the added bonus of GPS. Palm and pocket PC is too small for me. The 7" screen on these is the selling point for me. Of course it all depends on what they actually cost.

[Modern Coolie @ Apr 12th 2006 9:00PM]

"It is larger than a PDA, less powerful than a laptop, support simple games, you can't pocket it, or make calls, battery life too short (3hours) for extended use of music and videos. What is the point of this thing? USD1k device to replace a notepad for nurses to jot things down while doing their rounds?"

Make that USD $2K.

[Sumit Dattani @ Apr 12th 2006 9:13PM]

ITS NOT 2000!!!!

1,199,000 Won is not $2000 but $1249.

Dont panic yet!

[David T @ Apr 12th 2006 9:15PM]

as people above have pointed out, the culture with regards to device pricing is very different in Korea. and the article is very misleading as it is more like quoting the "fully loaded" price of a vehicle - which no one will really buy.

when the pricing is announced in Hong Kong or Singapore, that's the time to start getting a feel for US prices.

[Major Malfunction @ Apr 12th 2006 9:21PM]

Okay, so it isn't $2k USD, more like $1K USD, so, I'll prolly end up getting one for one primary reason. Real touchscreen. No more pen, I hate that damn pen.

[EmileG @ Apr 13th 2006 6:09AM]

I'll second OMAC. This thing with GPS, like the Asus, combines a $500 Garmin and a $500 Ipaq, adds a bigger screen to both, and gives the added value of running Windows and Office without real compromise and replaces the laptop for simple things like checking email and internet. So the $1250 isn't that bad, is it? Especially when factoring in price discrimination, I'm not disappointed at all!

[Nicholasp27 @ Apr 13th 2006 9:46AM]

Imagine a model with built-in GPS and a 2-3mp camera lens...

You now have a device that functions as your GPS ($500), digital camera ($200), pda ($200), photo wallet/viewer ($200), video ipod ($250), portable gaming machine ($250), portable dvd player ($100), home automation remote/touchscreen controller ($700+), etc

all u'll need to carry is your umpc and your cell phone (until you skype)

get a verizon aircard or some other service and u are always connected at all times; that means your IM is always on, your email, you can do research in the store before u buy, u can get yellow pages, directions, movie times, etc whenever u need them; better sports updates (or even webcasts to watch games), etc etc

our kids will grow up being always connected online and this is one of the first steps to doing this; forget smartphones, they'll put phone functionality into these and u'll get them at a discount with a 2year service contract

i love my tablet, but i can't take it everywhere i go, but a umpc u can

a side benefit will be that umpc with city-wide internet connection will make mass transit more widely used; i'd be much more open to sitting on a bus/train for 45 mins to work if i had a connected umpc to browse the internet, play games, watch my tv shows i recorded the previous night, etc

[Justin @ Dec 4th 2007 2:25AM]

I was doing a Web search and only stopped at this page because I noticed the girls. I'm sure the devices are great, but haven't studied the content of the article carefully yet :)

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