Samsung Q1EX Reviewed: Lower Price, Lower Run-Time

samsung_q1ex_3434gMy first reaction to Samsung keeping the Q1 UMPC series alive was a giant “meh!” I couldn’t understand why they’re trying to introduce a new model when for all intents and purposes the UMPC is dead. I do believe that as a concept it moved us forward and had much input to the current netbook craze, but that doesn’t merit a fourth go-around for the niche device.

LAPTOP Magazine just gave the Q1EX a review, and now I’m scratching my head even more. The price is down quite a bit over the Q1UP model: $750 as compared to around $1,200 when I bought mine. That’s great… but expected unless the hardware is beefed up. Doesn’t look like that’s the case with the CPU replacement nor the battery shrinkage.

The 1.33GHz Intel Core Solo went away in favor of a presumably less expensive 1.2GHz VIA Nano. The old 6-cell battery loses 33 percent of its capacity, with Samsung opting for a thinner 4-cell unit. You’d think you’d lose around 33 percent of your single charge run-time, but LAPTOP could only get around 2 hours and 15 minutes. By comparison, I routinuely saw 5 hours of solid use on my older model. Didn’t we learn our battery life lessons in the first or second iteration of these devices? I’m probably sounding harsh (again) but after owning the three prior models, I’m disappointed to see this next one apparently take two steps back.

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