Review: Samsung Q1 Ultra-Mobile PC

Back in March this year, details started emerging about Microsoft’s brand new ultra-mobile PC (UMPC) design.

We first reported on the project, codenamed Origami, at the Intel Developer Forum and at Cebit, where Samsung’s Q1 was previewed.

Before we get stuck into the technical specifications, we'll take a closer look at the physical design on the Q1. (Click on the hyperlinked words to see the Q1 close-up.)

The front of the Q1 is kept reasonably uncluttered with the majority taken up by the 7in touch-screen display.

The left is home to a small thumb activate joystick and an Auto Scaler button to quickly alter the resolution of the screen.

The latter can adjust the resolution to 800 x 600 or 1,024 x 600, but it’s at its clearest at the native 800 x 480 setting.

Over at the front right you'll find a four-button Quick Launch pad (the function of each button can be customised), an Enter button and a Menu button to bring up Samsung's shortcut screen.

The bottom is home to a series of LED indicators and two microphones , while stereo speakers are sat at either side of the top.

Further ports and switches are located around the edge of the Q1. The left side houses a mini Firewire, USB2 and headphone socket along with a volume control and hold button.

The right takes care of the power socket, a VGA connector and a further USB2 port.

Finally, the top is home to the power switch, a Compact Flash card and Ethernet port . The small passive stylus is stored here.

The device is comfortable to hold, which is thanks in part to the lightweight 779g design.

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