Customer Reviews

Samsung 7-Inch UMPC with Touchscreen

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

PROS: Small size, bright display, lightweight, SDHC card slot
CONS: Not very fast, no Web cam, funky stylus storage

I purchased a Samsung Q1EX with 2 GB RAM, 1.2 GHz VIA Nano processor, Windows XP, and 32 GB solid-state hard drive (not from Amazon, sorry). The SSHD added about $300 to the price. I needed a small tablet PC running Windows XP to use in my unpressurized airplane to run electronic chart and navigation software. Conventional spinning HDDs aren't very reliable with cabin altitudes over 10,000 ft. so I needed the SSHD. I rarely travel so I don't need a full-size laptop, and when I do travel I want a laptop with a small footprint.

I purchased the Q1EX with a keyboard portfolio, which combines a tablet support, a dock with VGA and LAN ports, and a keyboard in a nice folding protective vinyl case. Other recommended options are a Stowaway Bluetooth mouse (the portfolio keyboard has a touch pad) and a USB port expander (the Q1EX has 2 USB 2.0 ports).

The Q1EX is extremely thin and light. The touchscreen is very bright. There are no buttons on the device (unlike the other Q1s) except the on-off-lock switch and the Dial Menu wheel on the left and the CTRL-ALT-DEL button on the right. I use a 32 GB SDHC card so storage hasn't been an issue. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are built-in. The sound quality and volume are good. It's a nice little package.

I haven't encountered any real cons about the device except it seems very slow to boot up, almost as if it has frozen or crashed. There is a camera on the back but it would've been nice to have a camera facing the user. Built-in GPS would've been nice too. If you want a small tablet you'll compromise on the tiny characters in 1024x600 res, but it is very sharp and bright (barely readable in direct sunlight, like most touchscreens, but it's fine outdoors in shade). Having to carry a keyboard is a slight hassle but programs such as DialKeys might solve that issue. Other reviews I've read say that videos are choppy but I haven't noticed that. The stylus is stored in a little slot on the wrist strap, but I don't use the wrist strap so I need to bring a stylus or just use fingers.

If you want or need small, the Q1EX is great, and you'll accept the trade-offs.

We used this screen to run software that provides our client with a touch-screen interface to control their home automation systems (lighting, shades, HVAC, audio/video). Definitely need the extended life battery, and with the slightly larger battery, it gives the user something to wrap their fingers around when holding the touch-screen. Screen size is good, and clean edges free from the querty keyboard is well received by our client. The touching of the screen, depending on the size of the icons, requires slight pressure sometimes - we found some fingers didn't work as well as others (perhaps older hands with less blood circulation, and thus colder fingers, not sure, just guessing here) - the stylus included worked very well in this instance. This touch-screen comes with our recommendation. Great value for the money paid compared with others out there that we evaluated.

1. INPUT problem: Unlike Toshiba or Motioncomputing where the tablet is sensitive only to the tip of a digital pen, Samsung tablet is like a pocket PC and responsive to all touches. The consequence is operational difficulties. For example, when your stylet points at the input site (e.g., internet address site), the keyboard icon does not automatically appear to open up the keyboard pannel. You must touch the keyboard icon at the bottom near the START to open and close the keyboard pannel at the bottom of the screen. Handwriting is virtually impossible (lagging and imprecise); I suspect the CPU is too weak to keep up with the stroke and recognition. As a result, other than an external keyboard attached via USB port, you cannot type extensively or easily.
2. If you use Microsoft Reader, you don't have a button to flip the page. You have to use a stylet to touch the forward botton to flip a page.
3. Booting takes a long time relatively speaking.
4. There is no buit in slot for a stylet. Instead, you slide it into the pocket in the hand strap (loop). The stylet tip is rubbery and does not glide well on the screen.
5. The screen is a touch screen, sensitive to your fingers, but the screen is too small to operate with your finger. Also, you can accidentally touch the screen on, unless you lock the start button.
6. SD slot does not have a spring clicks. As result, it is difficult to eject. You have to pinch it out.
7. Display resolution is limited. Other options are impractical and becomes fuzzy.

The only thing you can do OK with this tablet is to browse online. Forget about texting.
Samsung has still a long way to go. HP iPAQ is much better despite the small size.