Samsung intros new Q1 UMPCs, but there’s still one missing
GottaBeMobile caught the Samsung press release that introduced two new UMPCs in the Q1 line. And by "new" I really mean "old models with slight tweaks". Have a look at what I mean:
- Samsung took the Q1 Ultra (not Ultra Premium) running XP and added integrated HSDPA for the AT&T network. I thought I read the press release wrong because I can’t see why they would refresh the Ultra line that uses the older Intel A100 and A110 processors. Yet, my eyes aren’t deceiving me since the Samsung press release says "the model boasts the same specifications as the industry standard Q1 Ultra XP model launched in May of 2007". Somehow, I don’t see the $1,499 MSRP justified…
- The Samsung Q1UP-V is something I believe we reported back in April: it takes the Q1 Ultra Premium that I have, runs with 2 GB of RAM and Vista Business. I took my Q1UP, carefully swapped in a 2 GB RAM module and installed Vista Ultimate for basically the same package; the only difference I see is that I have the Media Center functions. Samsung is expecting to sell these at $1,449, but I’m sure you can find the original Q1 Ultra Premium for less and then upgrade it yourself.
So not much "new" really, is there? And that reminds of the model that we should have seen, but didn’t yet. At CES 2008 back in January, Samsung reps told us that the Q1 Ultra Premium would see a unit with an SSD drive in the first quarter of the year. We’re now in the third quarter and all we’re seeing is minor refreshes that are priced too high. What’s even stranger to me is that Samsung themselves manufacture SSD drives. Am I missing something?
Kevin
Do you still see a future for the UMPC form factor? I know yours suits your needs well but maybe Samsung is slowly giving up, hence the lack of progressive changes?
You’re right Gavin, it works well for my needs, but my cloud-computing challenge shows that other devices could work just as well. Although I’ve sold my original Asus Eee PC, I’m looking at a netbook purchase to see if it can do the same job in the same environments.
At this point, I don’t see slate devices running a full version of Windows ever becoming adopted by the mainstream consumers. Even MIDs will have a challenging time due to solid smartphones and netbooks. Just my take at this point in time.
Great. I have a regular Q1U EL and might just want to install one of these ATT cards (I have an Iphone 2)
This would mean it would be supported at least.
Any ideas on how to go about this?
I know there’s been plenty of hacks, but it would be great to make it stock (or close to it)
…..without the outrageous markup
hello kevin,
If you are looking to get a replacement for the eee pc i would suggest the sylvania g netbook pc
you can get it here
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3747065&CatId=2814
for $400
it comes with 1gb of ram, a 30gb hdd and g os
let me know if you do get it
Thanks Juan. Why would you recommend the Sylvania over a newer Eee, MSI Wind, Acer Aspire One or other netbook?
hey Kevin,
I’m sorry i guess what i meant to say was that i would like to see your take on this netbook, so my previous comment was incorrect. The only reason that i would recommend any one to this netbook over other ones is maybe that it runs g os or its small size and prize tag
This is a great device IMHO, can’t see why added the HSDPA is so expensive, they already had the connector built-in to the Q1U, they are just adding the card. You could also add a Sprint U727 USB for the same service and it is probably cheaper. I heard that you could actually open up a U720 and remove the board, pop open the Q1U and insert it in the slot. Haven’t been able to get my hands on a U720, bidding goes to high for me on ebay.
seems silly to me to charge so much for these, if they would just shoot for $400 – $600 range like netbooks & go for bulk sales they could be much more successful. i think alot of people would buy these as a cheap secondary unit (even instead a netbook) in order to have a vertical device.
Hi Kevin!
The Q1U-CMXP (The “new” version with HSDPA) is being sold since late 2007, not only in the U.S., but in Europe too. I had one in my hands when I was in Monaco this January, in a FNAC store. The only reason I didn`t buy it then, was because of the AZERTY keyboard, that they use in France. And the “new” Q1UP-V was reported by you guys in April! What I expected to see was a new version of the Q1 Ultra Premium featuring a 64GB SSD (since prices dropped so much lately, and Samsung manufactures it) and an internal 7.2 Mbps HSDPA card for that price. It`s a shame they didn`t introduce that today. I would like to buy the parts and upgrade the first Q1UP myself, but since I live in Brazil, I don`t have the same access to these parts, like the HSDPA card and the SSD, as you have in America. I guess I`ll have to wait for the real new model then… Congratulations on your very good work! Regards,
Samsung should sell a version of their SPH P9200 tri fold UMPC in the US/Europe. To me the reason why there were a weak 350k UMPC’s sold in all of 2007 was the form factor not price,and what others whom own one try to say. The reality is we are talking full windows. Nobody wants to thumb input or pen input into full windows people want a touch type keyboard. Samsung could make huge UMPC sales releasing that SPH P9200 that was a Korean only wimax device if they sold in in the US and Europe. That form factor is strong enough that without the wimax I would buy one! I would not buy a Q1 no matter what tweaks you do to it. It is too big and has no touch type keyboard.
I use my zero weight keyboard (zwkb) software on my Q1UP touchscreen. I love the Q1 umpc form factor. I take my pc with me everywhere and I’m always productive. My only issue at the moment is the hot hard drive, running at 60 to 75 celsius, when the toshiba mk8009gah drive’s specs say 60 is the max temp. Be sure to back up always! I have an otterbox too.