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.
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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