When I started this series of articles about my experience with the Samsung Q1, my plan was to submit a weekly article focusing on different aspects of the Q1 and really provide an in-depth look at some of its nuances.  Although it has been more than a week since my last installment (the best laid plans of mice and men…), I am now ready to continue exploring the Samsung Q1 UMPC.  Today I will be looking at connectivity options.  The UMPC includes several options including connecting to a Local Area Network (LAN) via Ethernet or Wifi, Bluetooth connections, and a sync cable. 

WiFi: WiFi, to me, is a sort of necessary evil; it is either amazing, or it is a complete mess.  So, I was a bit apprehensive to test out the WiFi options on the UMPC.  Those of you who have read my reviews in the past know that I have extremely mixed feelings about the WiFi in Pocket PCs.  On the one hand, it can be a useful tool for downloading emails, doing a quick Google search, or checking out the headlines.  On the other hand, I rarely use my Pocket PC for any significant work when my laptop is equally accessible.  Which means I only use my Pocket PC when I am on the move…usually far from a WiFi hotspot.  On the other hand, as I mentioned, I have also found WiFi to be an incredibly useful tool when I want to roam the house with my laptop and surf the Internet or check my email while watching a football game on TV.  So, the question in my mind was where would the UMPC fall on this spectrum. 

The UPMC is compatible with both 802.11(b) and (g) protocols, which means it can communicate with most standard wireless routers.  Because it runs Windows XP, not Windows Mobile, I was able to visit all of my regular websites, instead of being limited to those which could fit on a much smaller screen.  To me, this made an incredible difference in usability.  Instead of trying to squint my way through a Skweezer document or read an abbreviated version of the web site, I was able to view all of the content as it was intended to appear.  Additionally, the UMPC does not share the bulk of a laptop.  As such, it truly combines the best of both worlds: the portability of the Pocket PC, and the functionality of a laptop or desktop web browser.

Ethernet: In addition to connecting wirelessly, the UMPC also contains a 10/100 wired Ethernet connection, allowing you to connect the UMPC to a wired LAN.  This is convenient because, while Wifi is becoming more prevalent, it is still a considerably more expensive and complicated option.  Many people — particularly businesses — have chosen not to upgrade to a wireless network. This is also important for frequent travelers who may not know what type of connection they will face at the next stop.  Including an Ethernet port, as well as a wireless connection, ensures that your UMPC will be able to connect to any local area network, whether it is a state of the art WiFi connection, or a more conventional Ethernet connection. 

What’s Missing: The problem with the UMPC I reviewed is that it assumes a certain level of sophistication in the user.  Specifically, it assumes that you will have access to a wireless or Ethernet LAN.  I can tell you that I do not have a LAN in my home, and many people I talk to also have only one computer that connects directly to the Internet.  Without a LAN, there is simply no easy option for connecting the UMPC to the Internet.

This problem could be easily solved by adding a PCMCIA card slot.  Such an addition would allow you to add a modem, wireless broadband card, or other connectivity options. Although the UMPC does include a CF card reader, many such peripheral devices are not available or not practical on a CF card.  Therefore, a PCMCIA card is a necessary addition in order to ensure connectivity.  With a PCMCIA modem or wireless broadband card, you could connect to the Internet from anywhere, even if a LAN connection (or wireless hotspot) is not available.

BlueTooth: I have to admit, I was extremely impressed with the BlueTooth 2.0 Drivers in the UMPC.  It includes PIM transfer, file and picture transfer, audio gateway, and print/fax options.  Most relevant to this article, however, is the ability to connect to the Internet via a Bluetooth connection with your cell phone.  As data plans in cell phones have become more prevalent, many customers are finding them to be a convenient alternative to connect a computer to the Internet.  Just connect your computer to your EVDO, EDGE, or UMTS enabled cell phone via the Bluetooth connection and, with a data connection plan, your cell phone becomes a wireless modem.  While this is a convenient alternative in a pinch, these connections are often considerably slower than other options, quickly deflate a standard cell phone battery, and can be extremely expensive.  As such, while this is a convenient option for simply checking email or conducting a quick search, it is not ideal for longer connections. 

Sync Cable: The UMPC does include a USB cable which enables you to connect it to a computer.  This cable, however, does not create an ActiveSync style connection like the Pocket PC does.  As such, while it is useful for moving documents or files, it does not allow you to access the Internet through the computer’s connection.  While ActiveSync is hardly perfect, an ActiveSync style connection — one which would allow you to access the Internet by connecting the UMPC to an Internet connected computer — would be a huge improvement.

Conclusion: One of the most important options to me in a portable device is the ability to connect to the Internet from anywhere.  While the UPMC does a good job of providing various connectivity options, it does not allow for unlimited access while you are mobile.  It does a fantastic job of accessing the Internet from a LAN, whether it is wireless or an Ethernet connection.  However, there are few good options if you are not in an area which is connected to a LAN.  This is unfortunate, particularly when this problem could be easily solved by including a simple PCMCIA card, thereby allowing you to install a modem or wireless broadband card to further expand the UMPC’s connectivity options. 

Remember, I encourage you all to ask your questions about the UMPC by either posting a comment here or in our new forums, or by sending me an email at doug@justanothermobilemonday.com.  In future articles, I will try to address any questions I receive.  If I get enough good questions, I will post a Q&A article at some point in the future. 

Visit my previous article on the Samsung Q1 UMPC:

Out of the Box Photos

Initial Impressions