Samsung's topping out its
UMPC lineup with the new high-end Q1 Ultra Premium. The unit runs Windows XP Tablet -- much to the chagrin of Microsoft, we're sure -- and boasts a $1,400 pricetag. Inside there's a 1.33GHz ULV Intel Core Solo U1500 processor and 1GB of DDR2 RAM. The 57.7 watt hour 6-cell battery has a purported 7.5 hours of battery life, and the whole unit comes in under two pounds. The main exterior addition is the split-QWERTY keypad 1.5, which improves upon the last model with larger keys for easier text entry. There's also a docking station and external keyboard packaged with the Premium. Otherwise the device matches up with the
Q1 Ultra, with a 80GB 1.8-inch HDD, Bluetooth 2.0, SD card slot and 1.3 megapixel webcam. The Premium should be available now, and Samsung says it'll be dropping prices on its existing UMPCs to make room for the new model.
[Via
jkkmobile]
posted Jan 6th 2008 5:37PM
The price IS coming down. I just ordered a Q1UltraXP refurbed for $775. I am looking forward to carrying 650gr of PC around with a decent resolution instead of a bulky 13in laptop. If you have a Blackberry you will be used to this keyboard. But lets not forget the stylus too?
Can't these manufactures ditch the UMPC idea for a while, or at least give it a break and focus more on ultra portables??
This device leaves a sour taste in my mouth. It's not a light and small as an itouch, neither is as practical and versatile as a 11/12 inch Sony laptop for slightly more dollars.
I totally agree. Who buys these things? And aren't most of them buying an Eee PC nowadays? I just can't see what kind of productivity you could do on this that you couldn't do over an Eee. Ok, you don't have much storage, but so? Bring your favorite media player along with it.
Why Samsung? Why would you do this? I have never seen anyone with one...EVER. The only Q1's I've seen are in the locked "open box" bin at Best Buy.
I've got a Q1 Ultra and love it, but to call it "premium" and still only pop 1Gb of ram in it is just stupid. The thing doesn't work well at all on 1Gb... Thankfully it's easy to upgrade the Ram, so it's a mystery why Samsung doesn't figure that out...
I have it as well ScOOby running XP (800MHz).
The number 1 problem I have with it is that streaming/playing video hitches and stutters when the WiFi is enabled. As soon as I disable it, plays just fine. Driver problem I guess...
The second biggest problem with it is the keyboard. It was too small and the keys aren't back-lit. Looks like they fixed half of that.
The third is the mouse nub and arrow keys. They should swap sides. And the arrows should be designed like a Gamepad's D-Pad so it's actually possible to play MAME games.
Actually, it would be nice to see this device get a quicker CPU since that was all it is really lacking. It's really a pretty nice device for basic productivity, email and surfing with a "full" browser... I don't understand why they're keeping 1GB as the min memory as it needs 2GB to perform well and it only costs $50 now for a 2GB sodimm...
UMPC's would be soooo much more popular if the companies realized we are not going to pay 1500 for a UMPC when we can get a laptop with better everything and its CHEAPER!
I thought that was the point of UMPC's were to be a step between phones and laptops PRICE INCLUDED.
When they get these things to 500 or less, I won't consider them. With laptop prices dropping faster than UMPC's I don't see if they will ever be priced to market.
Wonder why the eePC is doing so well?? Its simple. PRICE v/s OPTIONS, but mostly PRICE.
Sub 500 for this device and I would have had one a long time ago...
UMPC died when it came out. Long live the EeePC!! Hrmm... 1500 for device that won't fit in my pocket. I'll take the $420 Nokia 810 that is actually web 2.0 compatible, completely open and thinner than an iphone.
UMPC IS dead. The reign of linux has begun!!!
Hrmm... maybe when the price of ssds drop. they can throw that in a device and take up less space, allowing them to design something MOBILE!
Intel dumped their UMPC projects to pursue linux based mobile devices and web 2.0 suite (shh... don't tell them I told you, they'll can me). Why? Lower requirements, lower price, no MSFT red tape, more features and longer battery life.
Comparing N810 to the Q1U is really pointless - completely two different devices, serving two different markets. My Q1U-CMXP with extended battery works great, and is a FULL PC, with full 3G broadband, not an 800x480 slow-as-heck iPhone-with-a-keyboard-but-no-cell-phone wannabe. If you are looking for a pocket-sized device, Q1U does not apply. If you are looking for a super mobile, fully-featured PC that is fast enough (only with XP, no Vista crap) for most business needs, then there is nothing else in the price range.
Hrmmm.. Do they make pockets big enough for the Q1 nope didn't think so. The device is poop. The whole IDEA was to make a full PC more mobile- I myself, and 99% of the gadget nerd consumer population can't find a home for such a half ass device.
Devices like the Eee PC have proven that consumers do not need windows to have the full featured mobile experience they want. Don't be a poor sport. Maybe you can sell yours on ebay, buy some books and become a smarter shopper. Good luck to ya.
PS the nokia has a slide out keyboard-
Any pictures of the new keyboard, or more detail??
Call me when I can get a decent World of Warcraft experience on one of these things... otherwise no so much.
I had one, I bought it for traveling (storing images, music, movies, etc). The split keyboard is awful, and the camera quality is terrible.... terrible. An insult. It's a checklist device that sucks. The only nice thing about it is the (touch) screen, but Vista was a nightmare to use with it, and I can't see XP being any better. With better battery life it would be a bit more useful, but save your money for a design and OS that works.
I'm typing this comment on my Q1 Ultra. It's perfect for mobile computing but does have it's limitations, but my only real complant is the CPU, a ULV Core Duo processor would be nice. Besides that you can keep your PMP's and iPhones.
Anyone know: when will these become available?