Hands-on with Samsung's Q1 Ultra UMPC

Meet the WiBrain B1's bigger, meaner brother -- the Samsung Q1 Ultra. We've been lovingly gazing at pictures of this behemoth for some time now, but we finally got a chance to toss it around at ye old CES this year. Truth? It's kind of messed up looking, and that keypad isn't any easier to use than it looks. For some reason, Samsung thought the layout should slant downward, but we can't say why. At any rate, the model we had was running Vista -- if a bit slowly -- and had a pretty nice looking display. Hit the gallery and see the goods for yourself.

Gallery: Hands-on with Samsung's Q1 Ultra UMPC

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[austin @ Jan 9th 2008 8:40PM]

it has an xp sticker but it runs vista?

[linumax @ Jan 9th 2008 9:46PM]

This one, probably an older prototype, came with XP and later they installed Vista on it.

The final model will come with Vista Home Premium installed:

http://product.samsung.com/q1microsite/

(Still, having an XP-Compatible sticker might be useful, just in case Vista slows the device down or some apps need XP)

[thethirdmoose @ Jan 9th 2008 8:51PM]

That looks really uncomfortable to type on...

[Johan S @ Jan 9th 2008 9:02PM]

Why is the thing so wide? They can save at least a 3/4 inch if they shave off the margin on the sides of the LCD .. longer is OK .. but not wider.

[Carl Vitullo @ Jan 9th 2008 9:11PM]

SHUT UP ABOUT THE WIDTH OF THINGS
I have seen you say the EXACT same thing about like 6 different products. are you a computer engineer? if not, SHUT UP.

[marovada @ Jan 10th 2008 5:03AM]

If width cutting is your thing, why do hate QVGA so much?

[OneLove @ Jan 10th 2008 1:09PM]

Carl Vitullo has a small penis. lol.

[Jeff Lewis @ Jan 9th 2008 9:25PM]

YAY! It's my UMPC!!! :)

To answer the questions:

It runs both XP and Vista - which one you get depends on which model you buy - but all of them (except maybe the ELXP model) can run Vista.

The keyboard isn't really meant for serious typing. It's for thumbboarding and password entry to be honest. Worse, the way symbols and numbers are placed on it and how you have to use the modifier keys.. well, you'll get a bluetooth keyboard if you want to really type or get the hang of the onscreen keyboard and/or handwriting recognition (which works really, really well, BTW).

It's wide because (a) it's a wide screen device (1024x600) and (b) it has those keyboard halves and extra buttons. There's really nowhere else to put them. If you put them on the top or bottom, they'd be unusable and get in the way of the *touchscreen* which is the main way you interact with this device.

I'm not sure why the Engadget staff thinks it looks 'messed up'. It's one of the nicest UMPCs out there in terms of clean style (given what they have to stick on it). The keyboard is made of nice, rounded buttons. The other controls are almost flush with the surface of the glossy black finish. The rounded corners and edges and its well balanced design (weight wise) makes the Q1-U feel more like a book than a computer. You can hold it up for a very long time without getting finger or wrist fatigue.

My ONLY complaint with it is that it's made by Samsung - a company that hates Canada and doesn't seem very interested in customer support.

[Davo @ Jan 9th 2008 9:29PM]

Uhh.. This device was announced in March of last year (on Engadget none the less) and I have owned it for over six months. How is this news? The keyboard does suck but overall it is useful for basic tasks when you don't want to drag a full laptop around.

[phrozunsun @ Jan 9th 2008 9:43PM]

they're too busy catering to mac fanboys and checking if stuff blends to remember it...

[Brendan @ Jan 9th 2008 9:49PM]

This keyboard layout is not ideal. You can only split a keyboard if you can type on it naturally - the thumb split keyboard just doesn't work. I always think that I want to get one of these, but I know that keyboard would have me tossing this thing at the wall too fast.

I am a big Samsung fan - come on guys, put the keyboard under the screen so I can get the next rev...

[Virtuous @ Jan 9th 2008 10:49PM]

Engadget doesn't have its facts straight. Six months ago I purchased a Samsung Q1 Ultra. What Samsung announced at CES is the Samsung Q1 Ultra Premium. This is a slightly upgraded model from the original Ultra. It looks like I know more about UMPCs than Engadget does!

Samsung should stick with XP or Linux for the Q1 and not even bother with Vista. Memo to Samsung and other UMPC makers...Vista runs too slowly on UMPC hardware.

http://www.samsung.com/us/news/newsRead.do?news_group=productnews&news_type=consumerproduct&news_ctgry=pcumpcdesktopnotebook&news_seq=6406

[Robert @ Jan 9th 2008 11:12PM]

I agree with you about Vista on a UMPC. As a UMPC owner myself (Fujitsu U810), the products all really need more RAM and a faster processor to adequately operate Vista. My greatest frustration is the built-in latency after you give it a command. I do use EVDO Rev A through my USB port and I will say that my SlingBox does run exceptionally with the U810 and I am sure it would run equally as well with the Samsung.

One other thing I have done is I do not use my keyboard or pointing device on the computer itself. I purchased a separate Bluetooth foldable keyboard through eBay from "Think Outside" and a Bluetooth Logitech Laser Mouse (I think it is the 740) and they both work great with the U810 and would work with the Samsung.

It is great that everything is getting so small and with our comments as end users, we will make everything get better as the manufacturers read our comments.

[Jeff Lewis @ Jan 10th 2008 1:18AM]

On the other hand, I use Vista on mine and the trick, as a bunch of us over at OrigamiProject discovered is that if you stick 2GB in it (which is easy to do), you drastically reduce swapping - and since 1.8" drives are all 4300rpm, you really, really speed the system up.

I'm sure XP would run even more nicely with 2GB, but to be honest, I rather like Vista and find XP kind of clunky now. If I were doing anything on it that required serious performance, I'd probably go to XP, but Vista works just fine for pretty much everything I do on it.

The other trick, of course, is avoiding powering down - only go into standby or hibernate. Comes back up almost instantly from standby.

[lee @ Jan 9th 2008 10:58PM]

Uh...timeshift. Fast forward to Q1 Ultra Premium:
http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/06/samsung-announces-q1-ultra-premium-umpc/

[Robert @ Jan 9th 2008 11:02PM]

I just saw this product today at CES and it was also in the Sands Expo Center as it was honored for a "Best of CES" award.

Personally speaking, it is a very attractive computer. I am the owner of a Fujitsu U810 and I like it but it needs at least 2GB of RAM and a faster processor...it does what I want it to do, however.

Getting back to this Samsung, I believe it is too large to be considered a UMPC but that is probably my prejudice after using a small U810. With MS Vista, the machine needs more resources as does my Fujitsu with MS Vista. It can probably get away with 1GB of RAM with XP.

The thing I enjoyed most about attending CES this year was the decrease of the size of the gadgets and the integration of the new technologies like WiMax (Sprint XOHM)and EVDO Rev A into these new devices. We are definitely getting onto the right track here and I believe the public is looking for higher speed Internet connectivity on smaller, portable devices. When you put your HD SlingBox into this picutre, it gets even better.

[Jeff Lewis @ Jan 10th 2008 1:10AM]

UMPC spec only defines screen size - it doesn't say anything about actual device size (although obviously the intent is for it to be compact). The Q1-U complies quite well with the official UMPC 2007 and 2008 spec.

[huh @ Jan 9th 2008 11:38PM]

I had a Q1 Ultra. I'm repeating myself here, but the keyboard is useless, and the built in cameras are an insult. There are numerous other usability issues, like the annoying blinking lights that should have been taskbar icons, that show Samsung is a checklist company that can't be bothered understanding a normal user. Save your money and wait until they get serious.

[luke @ Jan 10th 2008 1:09AM]

I love my Q1, I love using it at bed, with a laptop you don't see the keyboard when you are laid down, with this things you can be laid down on the bed and browse thru webpages.

I don't understand why this things don't sell more, once you have it there is no back way, maybe Apple is going to release a new type of touch device next week, also the size is ok because if it was less wide you will have problems taking hold it .

The keyboard is ok because you don't use it to type hundreds of word pages, you only need it to type URLS, and some other words on the web.

[Kris @ Jan 10th 2008 8:22AM]

The Q1 Ultra does have 2 cameras, but you look a bit silly using them!

If, like me you do have one with vista, then turn off the vista process that constantly shuffles data to "optimise" running - mine now runs much happier.

I actually like the keyb, but then I have very small hands. It isnt meant for heavy typing use, but as a second PC for someone with a bad back who cant carry round too much paperwork its fantastic - the small high res screen in landscape mode is lovely for reading PDF's and word files in meetings. In fact I rarely take it to a meeting without someone making a grab for it at least once, and asking about it wanting to play (lust!). And seeing how I owkr in government, I get a LOT of meetings :)

[luke @ Jan 10th 2008 1:10AM]

huh what is going on with you, the Q1 does not have any built in cameras.

I love my Q1

[Matthew Nelson @ Jan 10th 2008 1:33AM]

I still want one.

[Wwhat @ Jan 10th 2008 3:25AM]

The idea of it running vista certainly kills a lot of the excitement doesn't it, at least it does for me.

[J-Man @ Jan 10th 2008 10:43AM]

Proud owner of Q1U-XP. A friend bought it with Vista, very bad. I upgraded mine to 2gb RAM (warranty voided) and runs perfect. Also dual boot with Ubuntu nicely. The qwerty keyboard is awful for long typing. Things like urls, Google search, IM and basic typing is ok, other than that blue tooth keyboard is great. Main uses are wifi access (hacking), MP3's, TV videos, you tube and stuff. Best thing about it, you don't have to lug a laptop around. Even a laptop at 13in...still weighs too much, this is so light. Excellent for wifi access and full page PDF reading, unlike other smaller screens. Battery life 4hrs also a plus vs 2hr laptops. Downside will always be the qwerty keyboard, too damn small (my nails and fat fingers get in the way) and no back light for dark times. Should of also came with internal GPS. GPS kit available separate. Not too crazy about HSDPA access such as the Q1U-CMXP but OrigamiProject/UMPCPortal has a hack to make it work. Other than that...I love it and if I was a salesman...I would of commissioned 12 of these already.

[Ketchup @ Jan 10th 2008 10:43AM]

I've been running one (Vista) for months. If you want to do more than web browsing, e-mail, or reading (like a Bible program) forget it. It is so slow. Almost to the point of unusable.

Video ... forget it. Even YouTube stuff is quite choppy. If I could return it, I would.

[OneLove @ Jan 10th 2008 1:09PM]

shes so hot!

[Shogmaster @ Jan 10th 2008 4:03PM]

Hey geniuses. The new Q1 Ultra Premium was on the other side of the partition from that old and underpowered Q1 Ultra. Couldn't freeakin' ask the booth guys? Jebus Christ...

[MonteVale @ Jan 10th 2008 4:07PM]

1. needs new smaller and faster chip from Intel not just a core solo.
2. needs a keyboard that would either slide out or open up as clam shell or detaches-flips aka hp tc1100 or any other creative way or even a smple brutal way.
3. buit in gps (as an option).
4. multi-touch screen with iPone like ability to move things around (as an option).

[Pretol @ Jan 11th 2008 3:56AM]

This thing is about a year old... are you guys insane? Have you guys heard they released an iPhone... it's an iPod and a phone all in one piece...

[Pretol @ Jan 11th 2008 3:57AM]

this thing is about 1 year old...

Have you guys heard that the apple made an iPhone, it's like an iPod and a phone in one gadget...

[TJ @ Jan 12th 2008 9:16PM]

I recently started shopping for a new PDA and laptop, and realized that a UMPC might be a better option. The Samsung Q1U has a lot of appeal:

- The 7-inch screen is better for viewing/editing documents and surfing the web than the 4-5 inch screens on many other UMPCs.
- Although still a work-in-progress, the mini-QWERTY thumb keys on the Q1U are an added feature from only having soft keys on a touchscreen.

I hope the newly-announced Q1U-Premium will be significantly faster than the current models, because the Q1U I tried last week was somewhat slow.