The Q1 is Worth the Price

SYNOPSIS:

I'm a power user who attends lots of meetings and travels 10% of the time. I have had a Q1 for about a month now and use it as my only computer. I recently traded an HP NC4200 laptop for it. I use the Q1 for work and home, I use the USB keyboard and organizer as well as the 9-hr battery. You can find it many places for $1099 or less.

OVERVIEW:

The Q1 is a cross between a tablet PC and a PDA in a new category called Ultra Mobile PC. It comes with a full version of Windows XP 2005 Tablet Edition as well as an embedded version of XP. The embedded version is used for a special mode for playing movies, music, and viewing photos.

There is a nice button located on the left hand side to switch video formats on the 7" WVGA screen to 800 x 600 or 1024 x 768 on the fly. Other buttons include an onscreen menu for things like rotation and brightness. There is also a nice 4-position rounded button to use a quick-launch for programs. The device has 2-USB ports, VGA (15-pin analog), Compact Flash, Volume, and a nifty lock button on the sides of the device. The lock button is similar to a cell phone and is great when carrying the Q1 around. There is also a joystick (used in place of a mouse), 2 speakers, and 2 microphones. The unit comes with wireless, bluetooth, 512MB Ram (future upgrade to 1 GB not yet available), 900 MHZ Intel Celeron processor and a 40 GB hard drive.

USABILITY:

Having an IT background I would suggest that any user be very familiar with screen size and graphics properties. The native format ix 800 x 480 which means that some windows will just be too big for it. I use the Q1 in a dual monitor mode along with a 17" HP LCD. It works great that way. I keep my email client open on the Q1 and my other applications open on the LCD screen. If I only had the Q1 screen and had to work all day every day on it I'd probably be a bit challenged.

This unit is less useful to me then other units in terms of the tablet. When you write on the Q1 no part of your hand can touch the screen. On other tablet units I've used this has not been the case. In other words the Q1 thinks the first thing that touches the screen is a pen including your finger or palm. You have to rotate the screen and keep your hand on the side of the screen in order to write. The stylus is cheap and about the same size of a Palm stylus.

SPEED:

The unit is not a speed demon. The Celeron processor and 512 MB of RAM combine for a slightly slow experience. DVD playback is OK but be aware it does not come with DVD software unless you buy the external DVD/CD combo drive. The preferred software is Cyberlink but I've had some success with Nero and Intervideo WinDVD. Audio is actually pretty good and includes SRS TruSurround. If you use Skype you'll be happy with the dual microphones but sad they didn't include a camera. This is by no means a "gamer" machine but it is fine for email, web, business applications, and audio/video.

BATTERY:

The main battery is capable of 3 hours of power and the unit comes with a single AC adapter. As with all batteries - your mileage may vary depending on how you use the Q1 and how you have the power options configured. If you plan to use the Q1 while you travel I would suggest the 6.5hr battery or 9hr power bank. The power bank charges the battery in your Q1 and is a totally separate unit with no way to hook it onto the Q1. The power bank actually goes between your AC adapter and your Q1 or directly attached to the Q1. I don't have the 6.5 battery so I cannot comment on it, but from pictures it looks like it could go in place of the main 3-hour battery.

ACCESSORIES:

Some accessories can be pricey. For example, the keyboard can be $90-99, the 9hr battery over $200, and the external CD/DVD drive is over $200. The best accessory for the money might be the 6.5 hour battery (AA-PL0UC6B) for approximately $120. There is no docking station for it (at least that I can find). The AC Adapter is a problem - extra units are VERY hard to find right now on the aftermarket. Straight from Samsung its over $80.

CONCLUSION:

At 1.7lbs this unit sure is nice when you travel. I am using it all day every day and love it. I think if you have a dual monitor setup you will have yourself a winner.