CeBIT: Samsung unveils Q1 Ultra

The Q1 Ultra is branded the ultimate all-in-one tool and can be used as a portable media player, PDA, storage device, tablet PC, digital camera and webcam.

"It is our vision that the UMPC heralds the beginning of a new category within the computing industry. The UMPC is a new kind of computer," said Samsung UK product marketing manager Dinesh Chand.

"It combines the power of Windows Vista with mobile-ready technologies that make it easy to access and use your software on the go.

"With small, lightweight, carry-everywhere hardware designs, you can connect, communicate AND accomplish any task anywhere and at any time."

The most noticeable change is the addition of a keyboard, split on either side of the screen. It also has a small joystick nub for mouse control if touching the screen is inconvenient.

Along with the keyboard and mouse the Q1 Ultra sports five user defined function buttons, dial key, shutter/internet button, volume control keys, power button and a handy 'AVS Now' button that allows users to access multimedia without booting the device, saving time and battery life.

The 7in WSVGA screen runs Windows Vista Home Premium at a resolution of 1024 x 600 and is backed by a UMPC Intel processor, 1GB DDR2 memory and 60GB 1.8in hard drive.

The Q1 Ultra can now connect in just about every fashion imaginable. It supports wired Lan, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, HSDPA and WiBro.

Users can also connect devices via the two USB sockets and there is an SD slot for expandable memory plus an audio jack for connecting headphones.

Samsung has added two cameras to the ultra, a 1.3-megapixel unit for photos, and a front facing camera to enable webcams.

The Q1 Ultra boasts improved battery life by over 30 per cent, and comes fitted with a four-cell battery as standard offering up to four hours.

The Q1 Ultra comes in under an impressive 690g, making it 90g lighter than the original Q1.

Pricing and availability are still to be confirmed but Samsung expects the Q1 Ultra to come in at around the same price point as its predecessor.

"The UMPC is not seen as a replacement to laptops, but it is an alternative to a range of mobile devices," said Dinesh.

"Restrictions placed on smartphones, PDAs, portable media players and MP3 players, such as slow bandwidth, poor viewing, sound quality and trouble synching with PCs, has created a need in the market for a device that combines all of this functionality into a single mobile device."

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