Samsung Officially Announces the Q1 ‘Origami’

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., today announced the official U.S. launch of the company’s new Ultra Mobile PC (UMPC), the Q1.

The company made the announcement at a San Francisco press event, where it also announced that the Q1 will be available at Best Buy’s e-tail outlet, www.bestbuy.com/ultramobilepc, beginning May 7, and in select Best Buy stores later this summer as part of a collaboration between the two companies.

Read on for more information… Samsung’s media briefing included a live demonstration of the Q1, highlighting the ultra-portable product’s performance, which is comparable to full-sized notebook PCs and makes up for certain shortcomings of PDAs and other handheld devices currently available. Mobility is what drives the Q1. With a wide 7-inch LCD with touch-screen capability and a weight of just 1.7 lbs., the device was one of the most talked-about new products in March at CeBIT 2006, the world’s largest IT show.

‘UMPCs such as Samsung’s Q1 represent the beginning of a new era in mobile computing,’ said Bill Mitchell, corporate vice president of the Mobile Platforms Division at Microsoft Corp. ‘The Q1 Ultra Mobile PC is an easy-to-carry device with the convenience of a touch screen interface running Windows XP Tablet PC Edition. It’s a great product for anyone on the go to stay connected, entertained, and informed with the full power of the PC.’

The Q1 will retail for $1,099 in the U.S. Various options are available for purchase, including a USB keyboard, organizer, extended battery and additional band external optical disc drive.

Written by Gary