UMPC Review: Samsung Q1

Preston Chase, Appraiser

I have been using the Samsung Q1 for about 4 months now; and have been surprised at its capabilities.  Here is a short list of the Pros and cons I have observed while using this UMPC with DaVinci.

Pros:

It is a fully functional tablet computer that is light and small.  The Q1 performs well with typical tasks such as Internet browsing, Word documents, etc. It runs DaVinci surprisingly fast; Almost comparable to a tower PC. The learning curve on the Q1 is slim as it runs just as a typical PC does. Handwriting recognition is extremely smart and is able to decipher the worst penmanship above expectations.

Cons:

The display is completely useless in the sun therefore rendering this tablet incompatible for field data collection. I have tested the best sunlight/glare screen protector available on the market and noticed no difference in picture quality or visibility. Battery life is way too short making a car charger and or a spare battery a must for the on-the-go user. The limited size of the display makes typing and or writing text difficult as the task at hand is minimized or hidden behind the keyboard tool. Accessories such as bump cases are limited. It is difficult to hold the UMPC while drawing and or typing, the only cases available to do not offer a hand strap.

In closing this is a great Mobile Pc for someone who does not need to use it outdoors, but rather in a controlled office environment where visibility is good and the chance of damaging the device is small.