May 22nd, 2007 
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While I was down at the Tech Expo a few days ago, I found myself without both a camera and writing utensil, which is REALLY BAD for someone in this kind of profession. I quickly realized that the best solution would be access to a capable UMPC, or Ultra Mobile PC. However, today, in my Cisco 4 class, we talked about this new UMPC set to come out from Samsung here soon. Dubbed the Q1 Ultra, this new rendition of the Samsung Q1 UMPC fixes a few of the problems with the first Q1 line. In the other corner is the OQO Model 02, another UMPC from startup OQO, based in San Fransisco. Set to capitalize on the success of it’s predecessor, the 01, the 02 debuted at the 2007 Consumer Electronics Show. Both of these are second-generation forays into a market in it’s infancy: the Ultra Mobile Personal Computer sector.
Consumers looking to purchase a UMPC are usually pretty stingy in their tolerance. For example, when visiting conventions or expos like I did yesterday, I would need a UMPC that maybe had an integrated camera or, at the least, the ability to write notes easily and on the fly, without straining to read or type things. Other features might be nice, but in the long run, the ability to take good notes, easy access to the internal storage (by way of USB flash or SD cards), and essentials like a good battery life, ease of use, and comfort take precedence.
However, it seems that neither the Q1 or the Model 02 can deliver on the biggest of all the specifications: Price. Both UMPCs run for close to $1500-$2000 for features that are unimpressive by today’s standards. Typically, they contain 1.2-1.8 GHz processors and anywhere from 512 MB – 1 GB of RAM. Storage is plentiful, with upwards of 40-60 GBs of space; however, if an iPod can do that, these should be pieces of cake. Finally, there are few ways to interact with UMPCs over a hard line. Bluetooth and 802.11 abg+ are appealing features, but merely an audio jack, an RJ-45 connection on the Q1 Ultra, a USB 2.0 port on the Model 02, and a video out connection is all for ports on the two offerings.
As geeky as I can get about tech sometimes, I’m still advising everyone who is in the market for one of these to keep holding out. Get a nice Palm Pilot in the meantime, as it can do most everything you need without costing an arm AND a leg. Samsung and OQO won’t rest on their laurels, however, so look forward to a couple of more appealing choices in the UMPC market, especially after Microsoft and Intel recently pledged support to the format. Yay!
Pictures Courtesy of: Samsung, OQO
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