Using the reasoning in that article, a motorcycle is useless because it can’t tow a camper and it’s heavier than a bicycle.

UMPCs aren’t desktops, and they’re not PDAs. Trying to force them into those roles will inevitably make them look inferior… because they’re not designed to tow campers or be carried to the bike rack. They’re designed for working on-the-go, staying productive en route, and getting things done in confined spaces; in that niche they’re vastly superior to desktops and PDAs. (And notebooks, too, but that’s IMO and is dependant upon use model.)

When reviewers stop complaining that wrenches make for bad hammers, er, UMPCs make for bad desktops/PDAs, I’ll stop complaining about bad reviews.

— Steve

I have to find out about that thin UMPC from Engadget and not you two??!!

Then I have to go to YouTube to find there are even more vids?!!?

What is this WORK you are making me do?!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1WzTntc3hY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzb2DovQzKo
http://youtube.com/watch?v=NJ-hl4LbwOQ&mode=related&search=
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-I9nk1_Pvc

AHA!!

>>>Where it gets especially exciting is the 20.5mm thickness and 19.8 ounce weight, making it one of the slimmest and lightest products in its class.

http://handhelds.engadget.com/2007/01/18/us700w-umpc-from-no-name-oem-makes-the-big-boys-look-bad/

Just as I said. Would you whine if the Samsung Q2 had those specs?!

Holy freakin hell! Go look at that video!! I have to put my clothes in the wash now. Just drooled all over them! Now THIS is a frikkin **ULTRA** MOBILE PC!!

>>> “It’s still a bulky slate”. Other than other UMPCs, the Samsung Q1 is among the smallest slate tablets in mass production. It’s thinner (less than 1-inch thick) and as light as most other UMPCs such as the Asus R2H (which is very brick-like) and the Amtek 700 based units. This quote simply isn’t accurate. How does it compare to full sized slates? I’ve used them and “bulky” just doesn’t apply here.

Sorry, but he is right. It is bulky and too heavy.

When these things are as light and slim as a Sony Reader, are you going to complain? That is their future. I like the Samsung, but you can bet your life Samsung will (is?) work(ing?) to make it lighter and thinner. And that will only improve sales.

James, voice input, too!

To me this review is the equivalent of a journalist panning the iPod in a review because it doesn’t have external speakers. There is a responsibility of the writer to at least try to write a review that addresses the purpose for which a product is designed, get the facts correct, and then to address how well that product performs its intended purpose. This review misses on all 3 of those areas, IMHO.

Come on guys.
All reviews are “subjective.”
This is one mans opinion.

Like someone said earlier, the same “dont get it” criticism can apply to any review that is less than favorable.

I personally am writing on a Fujitsu slate similar to the one Kevin reviewed very positively. I love it but it aint for everybody. If some reviewer pans it for having no built in keyboard I understand.

It is important to MOST people. This article is geared towards the MAJORITY.

I like “slates” so I look to guys like Kevin, and James here for opinions.

Truth is that slates and even moreso UMPCs are at a beta like stage of infancy compared with keyboard devices. The OS, (even Vista)and most apps strongly Favor Keyboards. Mindsets also are strongly entrenched with a keyboard-centric view.

So for most people, the desire for a Keyboard even on a umpc is perfectly reasonable.

Let Samsung sell a umpc with the specs of James’ Fuji, for a grand, and it would be the answer to a more mass market.
It would review well because it would appeal to the broader public. Thus far that has been price prohibitive, but eventually it will happen with a major player in the market.

No built in keyboard is a legitimate downside to any pure slate for the vast majority, and there is no sense getting bent when people point it out.

And again I say this as a user of a pure slate tablet.

Scotty, the Q1P is not necessarily the thinnest. The eo i7210 is .98″ thick. So I think they both share the title.

Kevin, you comments are not harsh.

Few quick followup comments:

I have no issue with Cisco Cheng or PC Mag. In fact, Cisco recently wrote some great Tablet PC reviews; some of the best and most objective I’ve read from a MSM outlet. I just felt that this article that may be read by hundreds of thousands is misleading in several ways.

The ‘Q1′ (insert any UMPC or ANY other device in the quotes) is not perfect and for some people’s work style will be relatively unusable. That’s OK! I just don’t want to see something condemned for the wrong reasons.

As far as sending the letter to PC Mag; I did just that via e-mail through their Contact Us page to the “errors and omissions” area. Five minutes later, I decided to put my thoughts out here in the open as I considered it would make for good conversation; which it has, and I appreciate ALL of the points of view!

The main issue here is one of misunderstanding and objectivity IMO. Let’s be sure NOT to turn this into an unfair bashing of all things PC Mag or Cisco Cheng; both have my respect. PC Mag has my money too as I’m a subscriber. ;)

My issue with the pcmag blurb is that it gives NO achnowledgement to the subjective nature of the majority of the comments. This tends to happen when you begin with your conclusion and then set out to justify said conclusion. Last spring I set out to find a small tablet pc that I could easily carry but would be a fully functional pc. I tried the first tbaletkiosk umpc, the fujitsu p1510d and settled on the Q1P. Each was a good machine. the Q1P was the right machine FOR ME. That does not mean that it is the best of the three. It was the best FOR ME for my needs right now. FOR MY needs and workstyle the “bulky” Q1 with its screen size is a far better alternative than the OQO or Sony. The great thing about the market now is that after less than a year there are numerous choices that meet a variety of different needs.

Too many people seem to be looking for the holy grail of mobile devices without recognizing that my holy grail won’t be yours and yours won’t be mine. The point is, there will always be objective points of comparison. The PCmag blurb was entirely subjective with no achnowledgement there of.

Oh, and then there is the comment regarding the priceoint of the Q1 in comparison to the pricepoint of the OQO or Sony. Last I checked every flavor of the Q1 is significantly less that either the OQO or Sony.