This $799 handheld saves energy with an LED-backlit screen at 1024x600 pixels, and that helps boost the battery life to what Samsung says is 4.5 hours. Best of all, it has a QWERTY keyboard, and with half of the characters on each side of the screen makes it much easier to use than the awkward on-screen keyboard of its predecessor.

So what's our take on this release, and on UMPCs in general?

When we tested the Q1 last year, the worst thing about it was the lack of a physical keyboard, so this enhancement goes a long way toward its salvation. But we're still thinking that this whole UMPC idea is a solution in search of a problem. If you want a small unit, get yourself a WinMo when no cellphone, and if you want more power, get one of the great small laptops now available. We're finding it hard to get enthusiastic about this Q1 Ultra, but we'll reserve final judgment until we actually get our hands on one for extensive testing. – Charlie White

Press Release [Samsung]

So it looks like that's working out pretty well for HomeLogic at CEDIA 2006, where the company is showing its software running on all kinds of unlikely things, such as the Motorola Q Smartphone. The company also showed demos of its software running on Windows CE. What's next? Controlling everything in your house from your car's built-in GPS system? Don't laugh. – Charlie White

HomeLogic shows automation on UMPC and Motorola Q phone [Talkabout: CEDIA]

Its 800x480 screen makes video look great, and HDTV clips look spectacular. Its easel-like stand that folds out of the back gives it the usability of a portable, high-quality LCD TV set.

On the negative side, besides having a processor that's too slow and a hard disk that's too small, dealing with its user interface is a downright clumsy experience. You have a choice of a cheap, too-short stylus, using your fingers which feel like hams on its tiny screen, or typing with the DialKeys application which gives you two quarter-circular keypad video overlays on the bottom corners of the screen.

More harsh criticisms and a conclusion, after the jump.

All these options are abysmal, to the point where we finally just plugged in a USB mouse to overcome the frustration. The thing needs a slide-out keyboard in the worst possible way. Even with that, the Windows Tablet PC interface seems too big for the screen, where many items don't fit properly.

Check out the DialKeys, which were difficult to use in horizontal mode (above)...

But impossible in vertical mode (below).

Overall, the Samsung Q1 is a second-rate first outing for the UMPC platform that's not worth $500, much less the $1100 street price. You'd be much better off buying one of the many multimedia players available on the market, and with the money left over, getting yourself a low-end notebook PC. Thumbs down, way down. – Charlie White

Check out my full review on Consumer Electronics Net:
Samsung Q1 Ultra-Mobile PC
Samsung Q1 Purchase [Dynamism.com]