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Samsung looks to be switching out the 600MHz for a faster, more expensive 800MHz unit

Samsung announced its second generation Q1 Ultra UMPC last month. The company stated that the device would start at $799 for the base model and would creep up to $1,499 for the range-topping model.

The base Q1 Ultra (Q1U-EL) was to be equipped with a 600MHz Intel A100 processor, 1GB DDR2-400 memory, 40GB HDD, 7" 1024x600 LED-backlit display, 802.11a/b/g, Bluetooth 2.0+EDR, split-QWERY keyboard and Windows Vista Home Premium.

When announced, Samsung said that the Q1U-EL would ship in late May while the Q1U-V (800MHz/1GB/60GB/SD slot/dual cameras) would ship in mid-May. The Q1U-V started showing up online at the end of May, but the slower Q1U-EL was nowhere to be found.

Yesterday, information began popping up on the Origami Project forums that could explain the delay for the Q1U-EL. Samsung's new Q1 Ultra microsite now lists all variants as having the 800MHz A110 processor.

Online retailers have updated their product listings to show that the Q1U-EL now features the 800MHz A110 processor instead of the slower 600MHz A100 processor. Retailers reflecting the processor change include Bottom Line Telecommunications, Buy.com and PC Connection (they list the A110 processor, but have not yet revised their text to reflect the 800MHz clock speed).

Even more telling is that some retailers have also raised their prices to compensate. Buy.com is showing the Q1U-El at $875.99 while PC Connection is now listing the UMPC at $899. CDW previously listed the Q1U-EL at $799, but has since removed the price and now states "Call for Availability."

It may take a few more days for all of the commotion to die down and for retailers to get their pages updated, but it looks as though Samsung is saying goodbye to not only the 600MHz A100, but also the $799 price tag.

The only reason for the change as speculated by many is that the 600MHz processor just can’t cut it in Windows Vista Home Premium. Vista has been cited as being a resource hog and the 600MHz processor running with Aero enabled coupled with the 4200RPM hard drive could make for some unpleasant customers. This is what one Blogcritics blogger had to say about the 800MHz Q1U-V:

Before you think this unit is perfect, there is one important aspect that hasn’t been covered yet: speed! The higher end unit runs an 800 MHz “Genuine Intel” processor. The lower end unit runs a 600 MHz processor. I don’t know how anybody could handle the lower end units because at 800 MHz, this unit is slow. When I say slow, I mean as slow as watching a clock and waiting for a minute to go by. This unit is even slower than the original Q1 unit. Much of this is due to the new Windows Vista operating system, which hogs up a lot more RAM and CPU usage.

So when pressed with the thought of have a “slow” device and “really slow” device, it appears that Samsung appeared to go with simply “slow.”

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Wasn't it KK that bought one of these?
By SilthDraeth on 6/8/2007 10:02:19 AM , Rating: 2
Or another DT editor? I wonder which model he will get, I swore he bought one of the 600mhz ones.




By Brandon Hill (blog) on 6/8/2007 10:06:38 AM , Rating: 3
That was me. I pre-ordered the 600MHz unit for $723 after coupon from Buy.com. Then I started reading about the 600MHz unit possibly being dog slow, so I chickened out and cancelled my order and pre-ordered the 800MHz version (which is now out of stock EVERYWHERE).

Then I start hearing these reports of the Q1U-EL getting bumped to 800MHz.

So I cancelled the second pre-order as well. I'm just gonna wait and see what happens when the dust clears :P


By KristopherKubicki (blog) on 6/8/2007 10:09:02 AM , Rating: 2
Let us know how it goes!


By SilthDraeth on 6/8/2007 10:33:42 AM , Rating: 2
Yeah, I am genuinely curious about this UMPC.


By Chadder007 on 6/8/2007 4:19:00 PM , Rating: 2
I saw a 1ghz Q1 over on newegg for sale today. Have you checked that out?


By crystal clear on 6/9/2007 3:43:48 AM , Rating: 1
Hi,

Would be interested to read about-"Livescribe's Smartpen"

Release early 4Q 07


RE: Wasn't it KK that bought one of these?
By andylawcc on 6/9/2007 4:01:29 AM , Rating: 2
is it possible (physically and mentally feasible) to format HDD and reinstall WinXP on it?


By Brandon Hill (blog) on 6/9/2007 10:25:53 AM , Rating: 2
Yes, it would be possible. It is nothing more than a PC in a small form-factor, so anything software wise that you would do to a regular PC applies here. So yes, you can format and install XP or Linux or whatever you want.

Now replacing the HDD and upgrading the memory is still a mystery. I don't think that anyone has gotten enough courage to crack open their Q1U yet.


RE: Wasn't it KK that bought one of these?
By encryptkeeper on 6/11/2007 10:40:55 AM , Rating: 2
Are any of the companies producing UMPC's expecting to see any significant market penetration? In the U.S., it really seems like Smartphones are enjoying much more success (at least based on what I've seen, people have smartphones like CRAZY, and I've never seen anyone with a UMPC) Even though they aren't as powerful, even though they usually run the handheld OS, they can make calls and get emails and browse the web which is pretty much what people want.


By andylawcc on 6/12/2007 3:18:04 AM , Rating: 2
I would buy one. I think it is a very nice mobile solution. Personally, I don't think the screen size of those smartphone is large enough to accomodate my regular/normal web experiences. when a laptop is rather clumsy to bring around with, a small UMPC that will fit in an attache or suitcase will be great.


By IvanAndreevich on 6/9/2007 1:38:48 PM , Rating: 2
I wouldn't worry about it. Turn all the Vista fancy crap off which you don't need, and it will fly even at 600 MHz.

I am a little disappointed that this is based off a Dothan core, rather than being a Core 2 derivative. Perhaps the next revision will be?


CLEARANCE SALE!
By therealnickdanger on 6/8/2007 11:11:24 AM , Rating: 2
I'll be on the lookout for clearance prices and discontinued demo units. There are going to be some hot deals on the old one!




RE: CLEARANCE SALE!
By therealnickdanger on 6/8/2007 11:13:09 AM , Rating: 2
I wanted to add:
I'll mount it right into my center console of my car! Awesome CarPC! Plus it can easily be detached and brought inside!


RE: CLEARANCE SALE!
By crystal clear on 6/9/2007 4:43:02 AM , Rating: 2
That is unlikely to happen now because INTEL has begun talking about MIDs instead.
Intel has MIDs in mind, with a price tag of about $500, much less memory than a UMPC, flash memory instead of a hard drive and a very lean operating system.

Intel is currently designing a new 45 nm processor, code-named “Silverthorne” for these devices (and future UMPCs).


Why Vista?
By RjBass on 6/8/2007 4:37:18 PM , Rating: 2
Since XP is available until the end of this year, couldn't Samsung just stock these with XP and save all the headaches with a slow system?




RE: Why Vista?
By Brandon Hill (blog) on 6/9/2007 10:23:37 AM , Rating: 2
There are four models of the Q1U. The version aimed at businesses features Windows XP Professional.


RE: Why Vista?
By Brandon Hill (blog) on 6/9/2007 10:28:00 AM , Rating: 2
Correction: that should read XP Tablet edition


Vista Home Premium?
By Chadder007 on 6/8/2007 10:49:39 AM , Rating: 2
I would think they would include Vista Business edition instead of Home Premium. Thats just considering that these are probably more useful for business instead of home use.




RE: Vista Home Premium?
By ManuelX on 6/8/2007 11:16:28 AM , Rating: 3
Well, the business edition does not have the Media Center capabilities of the Premium one. Those seem quite important for the UMPC idea.


Competition
By crystal clear on 6/9/2007 4:06:12 AM , Rating: 2
Toshiba plans to launch this month a line of notebook PCs that weigh as little as 1.9 pounds, are 0.77 of an inch thick, and sport up to 12.5 hours of battery life.
The Japanese computer maker plans to release the slim, light notebook June 22 in Japan, and in the United States and other countries soon afterwards. The new product will be sold as the Dynabook SS RX Series in Japan, and the Portege R500 Series in overseas markets.

Models that ship with a 64-Gbyte flash drive weigh less than two pounds, while systems with a 120-Gbyte hard drive weigh 2.4 pounds. Other than the weight, the models have the same form factor, and both boast up to 12.5 hours of battery life.

While Toshiba calls them notebooks, at least one market researcher places the new product in the category of ultramobile PCs, which are smaller than laptops but larger than smartphones, and are good alternatives on short business trips to heavier notebooks. William A. Peters Jr., analyst for Technology Business Research (TBR), said in e-mailed comments that Toshiba's new line is similar to recently previewed or introduced products from Palm, Samsung, Sony, Nokia, HTC, and Fujitsu.

Toshiba's offering has an early advantage over many of the other products by running Windows, which means users can run Microsoft Office, Peters said. Palm, for example, uses Linux in its Foleo device, which means compatibility issues are likely to arise in trying to view Office files.

Rivals, however, are expected to catch up soon with second- and third-generation products. "TBR believes the deciding factor will be cost," Peters said. "With the Portege R500's low end costing $1,999, TBR expects Toshiba to increase offerings, or significantly lower price to compete with its much less costly rivals in the UMPC market." Foleo, for example, sells for $599.

Ultramobile PCs are expected to become the next big thing in the computer industry over the next couple of years.

http://www.informationweek.com/news/showArticle.jh...




RE: Competition
By crystal clear on 6/9/2007 6:05:32 AM , Rating: 2
VIA NanoBook UMD Reference Design
Weighing less than 850g and measuring just 230mm x 171mm x 29.4mm, the VIA NanoBook UMD Reference Design makes all day mobile productivity and entertainment a reality with up to 5 hours of battery life.

Powered by the 1.2GHz VIA C7-M ULV processor and the VIA VX700 chipset featuring the VIA UniChrome Pro II IGP integrated graphics core, the VIA NanoBook delivers all the performance and functionality for a rich Windows and Internet experience. Despite its small size, it also comes with a complete set of productivity, multimedia, and connectivity features, including a full keyboard, a 7" WVGA screen with touch panel supporting 840x480 resolution, up to