Which 7" Screen UMPC is Better Value: AsusEee 8G or SAM Q1U

[MegalosSkylaki]

When you compare the two (the Eee uses a LINUX OS) and can be upgraded to 2 Gb mem, while the Q1U-V uses Vista Home Premium and the 1 Gb mem can also be upgraded to 2 Gb)

taking everything into account, which do you think is a better overal value for a sub1 Kilo, sub 2 lb. computer with a small 7" screen???

I'm thinking general I-net surfing, Office type small projects, and very mobile "coffee shop" use. The 1Gb mem falls more harshly on the VISTA and almost certainly needs an upgrade I would think'' although you could probably get by with the bells and whistles turned off.

NEWEGG gives a pretty good description of the ASUS Eee 8G, which is probably familiar to most by now, so I won't add anything here.

ASUS Eee 8G at NEWEGG, $500
Asus Eee 8G http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16834220315

- - - OR - - -

Samsung Q1-Ultra-Vista UMPC, $659 ("Free" Shipping at BUYDIG
http://www.buydig.com/shop/product.a...L&sku=SAMQ1UEL

- Entry Level- Windows Vista Home Premium Based

Imagine endless possibilities from an Ultra Mobile PC than you ever thought possible. Equipped with a new split-QWERTY built-in keypad, a high-speed, Intel Ultra Mobile processor and high-capacity Lithium Ion Prismatic batteries for exceptional battery life, the Samsung Q1 Ultra provides ultimate accessibility and versatility for all your on-the-go computing needs. Weighing in at just 1.5 lbs., the Q1U-EL reflects the latest in mobile technology integration by showcasing its new ultra-bright LED backlit touchscreen LCD featuring 1024 x 600 native resolution. Check your inbox, watch movies, play music, update your presentation, take photos, have a video chat, etc. With a Q1 Ultra UMPC, more choices mean you never have to settle.

Designed to go places
At less than 9" W x 5" H x 1" D, and weighing a slight 1.5 pounds, the Q1 Ultra Mobile PC fits anywhere - on the plane, on the road or in a meeting. With additional carry case options, it's the perfect mobile companion and business partner.

compact, comfortable keyboard.
Slowed down by an uncomfortable keyboard? The Q1 was built for speed. The split QWERTY keypad lets you input text quickly, easily and comfortably. Add a mouse button and an eight-way mouse/joystick button, and even PC gaming is a breeze.

wireless connectivity
The Q1 offers 802.11bg wireless and Bluetooth 2.0+EDR as standard, with a twin array microphone that lets you make calls over the Web using VoIP. Simply put, the Q1 provides secure, fast connectivity at work, at home or on the road. You can even opt to connect with an HSDPA high-speed cellular modem.

Plenty of photo ops.
When it comes to picture taking, the Q1 does double duty. The front boasts a video chat webcam (0.3 megapixel), while the back has digital video/still camera (1.3 megapixel) capabilities. Want to check out your photos? Photo View, complete with AVS Now thumbnail gallery, lets you view tens of thousands of photos on the 7" screen.
Specifications:

Operating System Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium
Processor Intel Ultra Mobile Processor A110 800MHz Clock 512Kb L2 Cache/400MHz FSB
Main Chipset Intel GMA950, 128MB Shared Memory
System Memory 1GB DDR2 400MHz
LCD 7" WSVGA Touch Screen LCD 1024 x 600 resolution, LED Backlit - 300 nits Brightness
HDD 40 GB, 1.8", 4200 RPM
Wired Ethernet LAN 10/100 BaseTX
Wireless LAN 802.11 b/g Wi-Fi
VGA DB-15 pin External VGA
Headphone-out Yes
Internal Mic Dual Array Microphone
USB Two USB 2.0
RJ45 (LAN) Yes
Keyboard Type Split-QWERTY Keypad, 39 Keys, 4 User Defined Keys & Enter Key
AC Adapter Yes
Standard Battery - 4-cell Li-Ion (Prismatic) Battery, 29.6wh Capacity ~ 4.5 hours Battery Life
Long Life Battery 6 Cell (2600mAH/ Cell), 57.7wh capacity ~ 8.5 hours Battery Life; 8-Cell Extended Life Battery/Power Bank, 80.0wh capacity ~ 11 hours Battery Life, Connects via AC Power Port
Dimension (W x D x H) 8.96" x 4.88" x 0.93"
Weight 1.52 lbs.
Warranty 1 Year Parts & Labor
Installed Software AVStation Now 5.0 MultiMedia, SRS TruSurround Sound, McAfee Virus Scan (30-day Trial), Adobe Reader, Samsung Easy Display Manager, Samsung Easy Battery Manager, Samsung Easy Network Manager, Samsung Magic Doctor Diagnostics

Read one review of it that said,

1. Removed McAfee. This improved the performance immensely. McAfee with all its add-ons just dragged the system to a halt at times. I installs AVG Free to replace this.

MegalosSkylaki

[Sixpac_XP]

whatever is cheaper..

but for me (and not you) a 7" screen is way way to small to do anything with, my stereo in my 4x4 has a 7" screen and its fine there but I couldn't imagine using it for anything other than for a touch screen radio.

[MegalosSkylaki]

Many people get around with PDAs and with Smartphones that are a lot smaller in screen size, and given the prices of some PDAs you wonder why they just don't get an ultraportable?

yes, most are in the $2,000 PLUS range, but I've seen the Q1 Ultra vist for $800 (maybe refurb?).

The Asus Eee has gotten quite popular, so people must be able to live with its screen. I'd wait for a larger screen, but then the price has already hit $500 for the 8GB version. Problem is, if the screen ever hits 10", it probably won't be the sub-Kilo Eee anymore...

MegalosSkylaki

[KarmaKiller]

My vote is for the EEE. We have the 4gig model, and it's great. We went ahead and upgraded to one gig of RAM, (ours came with 512mb) and it's pretty fast all in all. Another thing you may not know about, is you can unlock the EEE from the "easy mode" to a full blown KDE desktop manager. Just like any other PC that runs linux.
One tip, if you get a smaller EEE model, you can add in a 8gig SD-card and use it for your home folder or whatever. It's pretty fast with that also.

But I will say, the biggest draw back is the screen size. While it's good for a short period, it does get quite old quick.
I'm pretty sure they're releasing a model with a 9" screen, 16gig HDD, and XP. Might wait for that, if I would have known that we'd probably would have waited on getting ours..

[MegalosSkylaki]

PS. Jus read some user reviews at the site I linkeyed and -DUH! -- it comes with a ful version of Vista Premium. Why anybody would want that on an ultraportable beats me.

Which reminds me, I have to post something about a guide to tweak Vista Premium on a Desktop. I don't want the bloatware and its a small rig with one GB of memory --easily corrected but still not needed unless you want to run High Definition movies. Stick with XP on basic models seems smarter.

[MegalosSkylaki]

Yeah, KarmaKiller, I've been thinking about having to downgrade to XP on the $600 entry version linkeyed and seems like the OS is the big draw on the Eee.

I did read somewhere that an Exec of asus "let slip" that a larger screen is coming..Don't know what that was about.

BUT--for now, look at it this way:
The Samsung Q Ultra is too big to pocket carry or belt carry, so a few ounces less isn't going to make much difference since both have to be carried in a bag of some sort.

hence, having a real keyboard (and I wonder how good it is compared to normal size keys ) and a more appropriate Operating System (Xandros?) seems to be the two killer considerations.

The Eee is already out at $500 for the 8Gb HDand 1 Mb memory size.

I'm sure ASUS will make it eventually for an 8 -10 In. version --but for now wants to milk it for whatever its worth. Who knows. maybe others will figure out the OS is the key to such a small size low-cost ultralappy.

MegalosSkylaki

[KarmaKiller]

Well, on the Xandros note, it's actually a Ubuntu backend, so if your familiar with Ubuntu at all, then you'll be ok. My girlfriend, who has never used linux a day in her life, can run the Eee with little or no issues.
Everything we've hooked up to it has worked, no issues at all.
The wifi found our network right away, and connected once we put in the key. And again, it's pretty fast with even one gig or RAM, two gigs would be smokin fast I would think.

Now the keyboard, I guess that really depends on you. I myself have a hell of a time trying to type on that. The keys are just barely big enough. Some days it seems easier then other days, but all in all not a bad experience I would say.
Now my gf says she can't type on it with longer finger nails, if that makes any difference.

But out of 5 stars, I'd give the OS 5
The keyboard (for me at least) I'd give 4

Another very good source of info for the Eee, is this place.
http://forum.eeeuser.com/
You can basically see any issues people are having, and most all the tweaks for the Eee. It's a very good site for info..

[MegalosSkylaki]

regarding the KB, I don't touch type but I figure someone who does might have some difficulty at speed. Most of those KBs are just intended for websurfing urls and searches, answering emails, and stuff like that. A back injury makes it tough to hunch over and type anyway. My GF complained about a HP Jornada PDA KB which is 75% normal size.

But look at it this way: the Q1 Ultra uses thumb-pecking and DooGs --acording to Evilution --were not endowed with opposing Thumbs anyhow

Ha! I just came across today an issue of LINUX FORMAT --an expensive UK mag i would buy when I could find it, because it came with various Linux DVDs. The issue was about Mandrake 10 and also built the ultimate Linux gamer --with Athlon socket A and 512Mb DDR1 memory Can't remember the Gfx wondercard that came with Linux drivers -back in 2004 !

I'm sure I have one for Ubuntu --which as you know is "live" so I can test drive it, even if it's older or dated. I remember both GUIs came out at times. I keep trying to keep the PCs running while my GF has a gift for...well let's not get into that!

ThanXZ again !

daDOOG