FS: Samsung Q1 Needs a New Home

For sale for $600 + shipping in US only, a Samsung Q1 (900MHZ Celeron) that I have upgraded to 2GB RAM. The deal also includes the keyboard and organizer case. I have an extra 3-cell battery that I will throw in that was the original battery that came with the unit. It doesn't hold a charge for more than about 1 hour, so Samsung sent me a replacement battery that also is included with the unit. I have a Samsung Powerbank 9-cell battery that I've been using. However, I've noticed that the insulation is coming off the cord that connects the battery to the unit. I don't recommend that you use this without getting it repaired.

I've used this Q1 for a little over a year and it in working condition. I purchased the 3-year performance plan when I bought the Q1 in July 2006 and it is transferable to the buyer. I have the original receipt and paperwork. If you are interested, please leave a comment on how I can get in touch with you. Only buyers in the USA please.

Why am I selling? I subsequently purchased a new MacBook as my main notebook so the Q1 isn't seeing much playing time, plus I've decided to keep the HTC Advantage. So, please do me a favor and give my Q1 a new home!

Why use one computer when you can use 3?

JK On the Run posted a shot of him using two monitors with his MacBook. I prefer to use different computers at the same time. Here's a photo of my office. BlackBook and Mac Mini are both running Windows XP in Parallels and then there's my trusty Q1. Yes, that's a Newton MessagePad 2100 which continues to make a great notepad.

I made it a year with my Q1!

Kevin Tofel over at JK On the Run posts an interesting question this morning about the life expectancy of our mobile devices -- not how long they will physically function but how long they will continue to be the "object of your desire" (to quote Dwight Silverman on the iPhone).

That got me thinking that I'm surprised it has been over a year since I bought my Samsung Q1. The Q1 was my first tablet PC operating system experience and my first and only Ultra Mobile PC. (However, I did own a Newton and stay at a Holiday Inn Express once). What got me hooked on the Q1 in the first place was Tofel and Kendrick and their bloody (can I borrow from the Brits?) videos showing various usage scenarios. The clincher was walking into Best Buy and having a fully operational Q1 on display for me to fondle (as in Mike Cain) and re-enact all those Kevin Tofel videos. The retail experience cannot be underestimated. I would probably have not bought the device if I would have had to order it by mail since I would have been too unsure of what I was getting to justify spending the money. I would be less so now that I am more familiar with the space.

Now seems to be an exciting time in the UMPC / tiny computer space. Lots of new devices coming out and I'm in overtime on my device life expectancy. What do I look for? 1) it has to be small but not too small as the eyes aren't as good as they used to be. 2) if it's got a keyboard make it a dang good one, or I'd rather just bring my stowaway bluetooth. 3) $2K is just 2 much for cost - I like that $800 - $1000 mark. 4) If you are going to use Vista, make it work! Otherwise, XP is still okay and Mac OS would be even better. 4) Allow me to be connected all the time. When I get bored, I like to be on the Internet. 5) How about a good 8 hours of battery life without having to carry around an extra cow-chip size battery?

I don't want to push for too much so I'll end my list there. Get to work! My credit card is waiting. :)


Link to JK On the Run

Where's my UMPC?

As much as I enjoy(ed) using my Samsung Q1, it has fallen out of daily use for now. I never owned anything resembling a Tablet PC (except a Newton) before the Q1. Using Windows XP Tablet Edition was a transforming experience for me. It made me see Windows in a new way and made me ache for an Apple Tablet (I just mistakenly typed Applet...you can use that if you want SJ). Marking up my spreadsheets in ink, taking notes with a pen in Windows Journal or OneNote, circling and snipping websites off the web. These things were fun and cool and made me enjoy using the Q1.

So what happened? I got a new MacBook that's what. At first, I schlepped both the Q1 and the BlackBook around with me everywhere I went. This, plus files, cell phones, calculators (yes, I still use a ten-key and my trusty HP 12-C that is older than many of you). People have set off to climb Mount Everest with less gear than that (and had a team of Sherpas to help them carry it!). It's just all too much for a weak back, so it dawned on me that the BlackBook is small and I can run Windows and OSX on one device so at some point, the Q1 stopped coming along.

My point in all this, is that we can love tech, we can love the idea of a particular device, we can even find a new device to be revolutionary to our workflow and our ideas about computing, BUT we can only carry SO MUCH STUFF. Are you with me?

P.S. I'm feeling guilty about not taking any OneNotes lately, so I'm charging up the Q1. Please share your thoughts with me in the comments below.