Samsung intros two new Q1 Ultra UMPCs: one with Vista Business, one with HSDPA

The next-generation Q1 Ultra may be due next year, but Sammy's trying to squeeze every bit of life it can out of the current iteration with two new flavors. Announced today, the Q1U-CMXP boasts an integrated HSDPA 3G cellular modem, while the Q1UP-V is a Q1 Ultra Premium featuring Vista Business. As for the former, it includes just about every connectivity option you could wish for: 802.11b/g WiFi, Bluetooth 2.0+EDR, Ethernet and a WWAN modem that connects to the AT&T Broadband Connect network; outside of the one new feature, however, the specifications are the same as the standard Q1 Ultra XP model that was launched in May of 2007. Both newcomers (if you can call 'em that) are available as we speak for $1,499 and $1,449 in order of mention.

[TareX @ Jul 28th 2008 10:11AM]

Looks like an very fancy PSP... I love the Q1... if someone could squeeze in two shoulder buttons, that would be perfect.

And yes I know it's not meant for gaming.

But again, imagine playing C&C with that touchscreen, clicking on your troops and moving them around.

[natels @ Jul 28th 2008 10:37AM]

It would probably be hard as hell to pick just one guy amongst a group.

[OneLove @ Jul 28th 2008 11:13AM]

I called It!!!!

[Hickeroar @ Jul 28th 2008 10:37AM]

Not just an ultra mobile PC, but an ULTRA ultra mobile pc.

Color me naive here, but I just don't see these things ever catching on in a big way. I think you're going to see more of the "phone based" business solutions coming into play. Think iPhone, but actually really useful for business. :-P

[stellar @ Jul 28th 2008 11:06AM]

consider yourself colored : )

The industry is pushing these things, and the fact that many companies are adapting new technologies for updated versions every year only proved that they already have cought on. They will certainly evolve more beyond what we know them as now, but I doubt it will become an iphone form factor.

[andyg8180 @ Jul 28th 2008 11:09AM]

"business use" isn't considered phone books and email, so iphone is not the future of the biz sector... Maybe for people who sit on the phone all day...

"business use" is a Doctor's practice management, street marketers, warehouse management, and other kinds of stuff... this is ideal for many of them, alhtough tablets maayyy prove more efficient...

[andyg8180 @ Jul 28th 2008 11:09AM]

"business use" isn't considered phone books and email, so iphone is not the future of the biz sector... Maybe for people who sit on the phone all day...

"business use" is a Doctor's practice management, street marketers, warehouse management, and other kinds of stuff... this is ideal for many of them, alhtough tablets maayyy prove more efficient...

[Hickeroar @ Jul 28th 2008 11:12AM]

@stellar -

You may be correct. I wonder if we can at least expect to see something with a nice, multitouch interface in more of a tablet form factor. A well designed on-screen keyboard would be nice (same split on either side of the screen), and then the ability to not waste screen real-estate when you're not typing would go a long way. Also, a decent processor running the show would be a big help.

I do admit that the idea of any serious business computing on a screen as small as a phones does sound a little off on second thought.

[huh @ Jul 28th 2008 11:14AM]

They will be a lot more practical when they are lighter (thinner), have better battery life, and solve the input problem. The last is by far the most difficult. The end products will include cellular data capabilities, whether you want to hold it up to your head is another matter.

I am done with Samsung. They can make good parts, but they don't put any thought into their complete products. From the blinking lights just below the display on the q1ultra, to the blinking standby light on their monitors, to many other examples, it is just annoying, distracting, pointless fetish gadgetism on the part of their "designers." They should retire all those people and hire designers who have some sensibilities.

[OneLove @ Jul 28th 2008 11:21AM]

I have a q1 ultra and i love it...2GB memory, vista sp1, folding bluetooth keyboard and it runs great! Very useful while traveling.

[huh @ Jul 28th 2008 11:41AM]

OneLove, I had a q1ultra too, for travelling. I used a small wired keyboard (in this case Bluetooth keyboard is neato, like Samsung, but pointless since you can't really get far from the display, and just one more thing to charge).

look familiar ? http://zooid.org/~vid/pics/q1u-netplay-samui.png

I would have been much better off with a sub 3 lb notebook with a real keyboard.

[huh @ Jul 28th 2008 11:56AM]

Hickeroar, split keyboards suck. Seriously, try one. You can't touch type, so you have to keep watching between the sides of the keyboard, you can use only your thumbs (and at an awkward angle since you're holding the device), and in this case you're always blocking the screen. It's not a good solution, though it looks neat.

UMPC is a stab in the dark "maybe people want this, it looks neat" computing category, with many problems. The people promoting them just like "neat" but not particularly practical stuff, or they are barely using their devices (anything past movie watching and media storage, where you'd be better off with a PMP, and you're pulling out an awkward add-on keyboard). But if you want to waste your time and money trying one rather than simply getting a slightly heavier but much larger screen and real keyboard enabled subnotebook or convertible tablet, go ahead. I did, and it was a waste of time and money. :)

[andyg8180 @ Jul 28th 2008 11:06AM]

haha....ive used this for cell phone data transfers at my other job... its pretty good for business use... def. not geared towards the average user...
Q1 Ultra VS tablet... its a close call...

[OneLove @ Jul 28th 2008 11:17AM]

...oh wait, no atom? wtf?

[Sarig @ Jul 28th 2008 11:53AM]

As the article says, this is just adding new stuff to their current model. Their next incarnation will probably have Atom.

[David @ Jul 28th 2008 11:25AM]

With the Eee's and Wind's and such around $500.00, why are UMPCs so expensive? Does cellular data really cost that much? I like the idea of a UMPC but not for this much cake.

[Sarig @ Jul 28th 2008 11:55AM]

Different form factor, they're smaller, have better specs, and more features. Also, I suspect they're trying to make an actual profit, not the cutting it close that the netbook race is all about.

[Armen @ Jul 28th 2008 11:51AM]

>but Sammy's trying to squeeze every bit of life it can out of the current
> iteration

It's because the design of this device is just excellent for its usage (which is mainly reading and portability). I read hours on this device, it's my main device while I'm reading things, surfing web, pdfs, etc. I take it with me to the cafe I regularly go and I also use it laying back in the armchair and in bed sometimes. For my usage there are somethings which is just right at spot:

1- Screen size 7"
I have a iPaq with 4" screen, it's no match to Samsung's 7" screen. 4" is just small for todays webpages. 4.8" won't be much better I think either. 4" is ok for occasional browsing but not for regular everyday heavy use. Larger than 7" LCD the device might become heavy.

2- 1024x600
allows you to use it in native LCD resolution. Most of the webpages will fit the width just great, so you won't be scrolling left and right all the time. NoSquint is a *great* plugin for FireFox which remembers the zoom level (text only and whole page) for each domain individualy. I still have some difficulty with very small system fonts that sometimes I encounter in Windows, but it happens rarely, I can read them clearly but I'd prefer them to be larger and easier to read. I played around with Windows font sizing and this is the best I've been able to come up with.

3- the split keyboard
though it has had quite a negative review everywhere, but in my opinion IT'S AN EXCELLENT SOLUTION to the keyboard problem on UMPCs. Windows UI relies heavily on keyboard (and mouse) input. There are lot of short-cuts that it's difficult to live without. So keyboard should be there *all the time* NO SWIVELS, NO SLIDES. User shouldn't slide/swivel screens just for a keyboard short-cut. Just imagine sliding the keyboard open and back close everytime you want to press Ctrl-2 in Adobe reader for 'fit-to-width' zoom, or Ctrl-T in a browser, or any other regularly used shortcut. So why swivel/slide if you're going to keep the keyboard open in majority of the cases. You'll need to creat folders and name them, rename files, etc. So a keyboard is a must (correct move from the first generation of Q1s. I've never used virtual-keyboard after I just pressed one key and saw the result!)

4- Weight
680gr is pretty ok. I can't imagine myself carring a 2.5kg laptop to cafes everyday just for reading some news and browsing. I carry it everyday with me walking to and back from the cafe. Of course lighter would be better. But 7" LCD AND LIGHTER, not just lighter.

5- Battery life
of 4 hours is suitable for me (4 hours is for Q1Us, Q1UPs have 8.5 hours I guess, but they are a little heavier).

6- Full Windows XP (and Vista) operating system
There are a lot of devices out there but having XP on this device was a guarantee that I can run all the software that I know on it.

7- The stand
the stand is really practical and gives a good angle at screen. It's a feature I use all the time, without it there would be something serious lacking in this device.

[huh @ Jul 28th 2008 12:18PM]

When you exaggerate you belittle your own points. You can get a 1.5kg subnotebook for not much more money than a q1ultra. That's a totally reasonable weight, and a much better platform for running a full operating system. If you like a 7"display, imagine how much you'd like a 12 or 13" display. Or heck, get a netbook.

And four hour battery life? With the screen and wireless off, maybe. My q1ultra rarely lasted more than 2.5 hours.

See my other comments below.

And yes, I don't like this product category.

[j.d.ripper @ Jul 28th 2008 12:18PM]

I have a first gen EEE pc + 3G usb key that I use to mostly to take to a cafe with me, for reading news and writing short emails to friends.
Doing some simple research etc ..

It works perfectly for what I use it for.
I have a 'regular' laptop and desktop at home.

Why should I shell out so much for this?
Business use ? I doubt it. For a business user this isn't enough to be a primary device and too much for a secondary device (quick emails, web browsing, updating docs)

Don't know how it's going in the states, but they aren't catching on in Europe (well, not as yet anyway)

[Armen @ Jul 28th 2008 6:39PM]

@huh:

I don't see any exaggeration here. 2.5Kg is heavy for me and 680gr is not, it's a matter of comfort and taste, that's 3.6 times, as if I were carrying almost 4 of these devices instead of one. My HP laptop is 2.5kg 15" and I'm sure I wouldn't like to carry it with me the same way and as often as I carry the Q1U. But it's doing a great job as a desktop replacement.

About the subnotebooks which you mentioned: I've never had a 1.5kg device so I can't tell you if it will be practical (weight wise) for me or not. But I'm sure 680gr is ok with me, it even might be *a little* heavy. It looks like it's just *the weight line* for me. So by experience I wouldn't risk buying something heavier than that for my carrying style. I carry it in a small case, almost the same size as the device itself (it's a portfolio-ish case). With a 13" screen (comparing to 7") the device would be noticably bigger, my guess is 13" would be big for my taste. And I also like the tablet-like design which allows me to hold the device from the sides like a book.

About the battery-life, I'm surprised that you say yours rarely lasts more than 2.5 hours, maybe you have a lot of cpu intensive stuff. I've never timed it, but I remember numerous sessions that I used the device more than 3 hours continuously (wifi off, screen brightness on 4 [out of 8]). 4 hours is what Samsung says Q1U will last but more than 3 hours I can assure you that I've had multiple sessions with it (reading Wikipedia articles in FireFox, and reading magazines on Zinio reader).

I'll answer the rest of your comments where you posted it (see below).

[Armen @ Jul 28th 2008 6:52PM]

@j.d.ripper:

I use it for leisure, reading news, surfing the web, ebooks. And Windows OS was kind of a guarantee that there were a zillion software titles out there for it including *all* the softwares that I use on my laptop, so it was a sure bet. And as I said it's taste thing, but I really like the tablet-like design which I can hold the device from the sides in two hands like a book. I'm not sure if I'll enjoy holding a subnotebook like this (from the keyboard I assume).

And yes if it was cheaper, it would've been much better :)

[Armen @ Jul 28th 2008 11:55AM]

>but Sammy's trying to squeeze every bit of life it can out of the current
> iteration

It's because the design of this device is just excellent for its usage (which is mainly reading and portability). I read hours on this device, it's my main device while I'm reading things, surfing web, pdfs, etc. I take it with me to the cafe I regularly go and I also use it laying back in the armchair and in bed sometimes. For my usage there are somethings which is just right at spot:

1- Screen size 7"
I have a iPaq with 4" screen, it's no match to Samsung's 7" screen. 4" is just small for todays webpages. 4.8" won't be much better I think either. 4" is ok for occasional browsing but not for regular everyday heavy use. Larger than 7" LCD the device might become heavy.

2- 1024x600
allows you to use it in native LCD resolution. Most of the webpages will fit the width just great, so you won't be scrolling left and right all the time. NoSquint is a *great* plugin for FireFox which remembers the zoom level (text only and whole page) for each domain individualy. I still have some difficulty with very small system fonts that sometimes I encounter in Windows, but it happens rarely, I can read them clearly but I'd prefer them to be larger and easier to read. I played around with Windows font sizing and this is the best I've been able to come up with.

3- the split keyboard
though it has had quite a negative review everywhere, but in my opinion IT'S AN EXCELLENT SOLUTION to the keyboard problem on UMPCs. Windows UI relies heavily on keyboard (and mouse) input. There are lot of short-cuts that it's difficult to live without. So keyboard should be there *all the time* NO SWIVELS, NO SLIDES. User shouldn't slide/swivel screens just for a keyboard short-cut. Just imagine sliding the keyboard open and back close everytime you want to press Ctrl-2 in Adobe reader for 'fit-to-width' zoom, or Ctrl-T in a browser, or any other regularly used shortcut. So why swivel/slide if you're going to keep the keyboard open in majority of the cases. You'll need to creat folders and name them, rename files, etc. So a keyboard is a must (correct move from the first generation of Q1s. I've never used virtual-keyboard after I just pressed one key and saw the result!)

[huh @ Jul 28th 2008 12:08PM]

Armen, you raise some good points, if we all had to use Windows for everything, but have you tried other devices? There's no reason you couldn't do all these things, but with a lighter, longer battery life PMP or something like an iTouch/iPhone.

The need for a keyboard is evidence of a problem It would be non existent with a smarter UI (eg in Firefox you can just double click beside tabs for a new tab). Do you really think pressing those small, rounded buttons is an elegant solution? It's more like a juggling act.

Do yourself a favour and try an iTouch instead of your UMPC. Unless you are wedded to Windows (and granted, I have seen some fairly sad couples) there are better alternatives than trying to jam a full fledged operating system on a super compact device.

[Armen @ Jul 28th 2008 7:23PM]

> Do you really think pressing those small, rounded buttons is an elegant
> solution?

Not quite elegant, but to me looks a better solution than sliding/swiveling LCDs/keyboards and the virtual-keyboard (aka dial-key). And it seems there isn't any other solution out there for the moment (sliding/swivel/split at the sides/ all at one side/touch screen from which I prefer split at the sides). Maybe it's because I don't type much on the device, some now and then naming folders, renaming files, entering web addresses and short-cuts and for Ctrl-Q, Ctrl-T, etc. (which are the same side of the keyboard) I use Windows' sticky-keys feature (so it becomes pushing ctrl once and then pushing t for example).

> try an iTouch instead of your UMPC

As i said the main reason was the screen size. But there is another thing, I read regularly in English, Armenian and Persian (Farsi) languages with Cyrillic in near future. I'm not sure how's the language support for those languages on iTouch or similar devices. Armenian fonts can be dealt with if Unicode is supported, but what about a right-to-left language like Persian, will the browser render the pages correctly, what software titles support the language. So as you see there is a practical side to a full-fledged OS. I switched from PalmOS to PocketPC (Windows Mobile) and one of the reasons was the support for Unicode on WinMobile (and a lot of other reasons of course, including multi-tasking). So a full-fledged OS on a small device is not a bad thing as long as the device has the horse power to handle it. I remember Jeff Hawkins saying beware of the people who want to put more than you need in your pocket (or something like this). But time has proved him wrong (otherwise PalmOS wouldn't be dead now, and it is dead!), nowadays even mobile phones have multi-tasking operating systems.

[loosely_coupled @ Jul 29th 2008 2:03AM]

Ugly!

[kimcollins @ Aug 31st 2008 10:47AM]

I have this one too! I don't think it's ugly! haha I really take good care of it... i bought it a cool rugged case. Check it out: http://www.pressdigital.com.au/cases-tablet-ipod/otterbox-samsung-q1up-yellow-p-5753.html