UMPC Roundup: Samsung Keeping Busy with Three New Models

[Ekkie Tepsupornchai]

As most of you know, Samsung was the first out of the gate with Microsoft's UMPC concept, releasing the underwhelming Q1. Well, a couple weeks ago, Engadget caught wind of a couple of successors. First is the <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2006/08/22/new-samsung-q1b-to-sport-via-c7-m-processor/">Q1b</a>, which scraps the Intel Celeron in favor of the Via C7-M processor, which reportedly increases battery life significantly. While availability is not clear, <a href="http://?">CDW</a> has been spotted offering the Q1b for $899 USD. <br /><br />Announced at roughly the same time was the <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2006/05/23/samsungs-q1-ssd-umpc-now-with-nand-only-2-430/">Q1-SSD</a>, which appears identical to the Q1b except for the spiffy 32GB solid state NAND flash drive. This flash drive should provide better performance and near-instant-on capability. The kicker, however, is the ~$2500 price tag, which guarantees that it won't be reaching the low-price consumer crowd Microsoft was targeting.<br /><br />Finally, Ed Hardy of Brighthand has just reported yet another new Samsung UMPC, titled the <a href="http://www.brighthand.com/default.asp?newsID=12440">Q1P</a>, will be available in the 4th quarter (not sure if this includes the US or not). While details are scant, Samsung has announced that this model will support HSDPA (3G wireless), which is currently only supported by Cingular within the US. The assumption is that this will come with the same VIA CPU (no word on the NAND flash drive). Thoughts?

[x51vuser]

$1200 not $2500

[whydidnt]

If these are the same size as the original Samsung then they are still too big. OQO has it right as far as size, and Sony is a close second. the rest of these UMPC's aren't small enough to legitimately carry in a pocket or jacket and use on the go like a PDA.

[cscullion]

Personally, I like the form factor of the Sony Vaio UX series better. I know it's not an official UMPC, but it sure is sweet. Just bring the price down a bit, fix the yucky keys on the slide-out keyboard, and I'm there!

[Ekkie Tepsupornchai]

$1200 not $2500
For the Q1 or possibly Q1b, it would be closer to $1200.

For the Q1-SSD, with <font color=red>32GB</font> Solid-State NAND Flash Drive, it would definitely be significantly higher.

[Nurhisham Hussein]

If you want an idea of how much that drive costs at retail, take a look at this site (http://www.dvnation.com/ssd.html). There's a whole bunch of people (myself included) who're just waiting to get our hands on these babies, if the prices ever come down from the stratosphere.

[x51vuser]

$1200 not $2500
For the Q1 or possibly Q1b, it would be closer to $1200.

For the Q1-SSD, with <font color=red>32GB</font> Solid-State NAND Flash Drive, it would definitely be significantly higher.

No - it is $800 for Q1b, $1200 for Q1-SSD.
$2500 you quoted was in Korean currency !

[Nurhisham Hussein]

No - it is $800 for Q1b, $1200 for Q1-SSD.
$2500 you quoted was in Korean currency !

The way I read it, Ekkie's got it right:

...but is that really worth the bump from an already expensive $1200 US green equiv in Korea to $2,430...

[CTSLICK]

The Q1-SSD has my attention, eventually prices will come down to earth...I hope. Here's a nice hand's on review (http://www.origamiportal.com/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=543) from someone who picked on up in Korea.

[Frankie1]

Personally, I like the form factor of the Sony Vaio UX series better. I know it's not an official UMPC, but it sure is sweet. Just bring the price down a bit, fix the yucky keys on the slide-out keyboard, and I'm there!

I sincerely think that the display on the Vaio UX is way to small to be practical device. The slide out key board to me is the only thing saving it.

[ricksfiona]

I thought the Sony was amazingly cool, but it IS too small for practical use. I couldn't use that screen for decent WP. No way... I love the concept though ;-)

Meanwhile my adventures with Tabletkiosk continue. The new i7210 is pretty cool, which I ordered, and was supposed to have gone out this week. Called them up today to find the status...

"There is a driver problem and we look to have the problem resolved. They should go out mid-next week". Uuuuuugh! If it's not one problem it's another. When I asked what the driver problem was, she didn't know. Also when she was checking on the something and someone else came on the phone, I asked the status and he said "oh, their backordered....", then she came back on the phone and gave me the 'driver' story.

If I don't get my UMPC on Friday, I'm threw with TabletKiosk once and for all and cancelling my order.... AGAIN.

They sure do charge my credit card swiftly when I put in the order... :roll: