Growing Q1 sales lead company to make device available at all Fry’s Electronics stores plus Texas-based Best Buy stores
IRVINE, Calif. - June 19, 2006 - Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., a global leader in semiconductor, telecommunication, digital media and digital convergence technologies, today announced that it has expanded retail distribution of its new Samsung Q1 Ultra Mobile PC (UMPC) due to strong initial sales and growing customer excitement for the device.
Launched May 1 in the United States, the Samsung Q1 is now sold in all 32 Fry's Electronics stores and soon will be available at various Best Buy stores in Texas. Initially, the Q1 was sold via Best Buy's e-tail outlet, www.bestbuy.com/ultramobilepc, and at www.CDW.com.
"The Q1 was in high demand from the moment it debuted on the Best Buy and CDW websites," said David A. Nichols, Director, Display Marketing, Samsung Electronics America. "That demand is what's driven us to make the Q1 available at all Fry's Electronics stores plus the Texas-based Best Buy outlets. In addition, we'll soon be announcing yet another distributor for the Q1."
Developed in collaboration with Microsoft and Intel, the Samsung Q1 is among the first of a totally new category and form factor of PC - a truly ultra-mobile unit that can easily be carried in a small briefcase, daypack or purse. Yet, the Q1 still offers the power of a PC that runs Windows XP Tablet Edition with an Intel Processor, 512MB memory and a 40GB Hard Drive. With its brilliant 7-inch LCD touch screen and integrated wireless communications capabilities that include WiFi and Bluetooth, it is a PC that you can use anywhere, anytime.
In addition, the Q1's AVS Now feature allows users to enjoy a host of multimedia, from video, movies, music and still photos to games and books, without booting up Windows. Further, the Q1's "inking" feature allows data to be directly input through the unit's touch-screen, with results similar to a handwritten note. This data is then stored as an image file.
Nichols emphasized that the Samsung Q1 wasn't designed as a replacement for current notebook or desktop PCs.
"The Q1 is a companion PC that allows business users, students and others to always have PC capabilities at the ready, in instances where desktops obviously won't work and even notebook PCs are impractical," he said. "One of the most intriguing aspects of the Q1 is the innovative way it combines PC functionality and connectivity in an ultra-mobile platform."
Thanks to the Samsung Q1's capabilities and portability, the device is rapidly finding robust demand among business-to-business users. Early markets include healthcare, logistics and shipping, sales force automation, and government. In addition, because of the unit's small size and touch-screen capabilities, consumers are enthusiastically embracing the Q1. Students are using the Q1 for classroom note taking, while people of all ages are using the Q1 for music, video, movies, gaming and viewing photos.
"The Q1 marks the next generation of devices incorporating PC functionality in a highly portable platform that's one-third the weight of a conventional notebook PC," Nichols said. "The Q1 positions Samsung as a pioneer and leader in the exciting and growing UMPC marketplace."
The Samsung Q1 retails for $1,099 in the U.S. Various options are available for purchase, including a USB keyboard, organizer, extended battery and a choice of three external optical disc drives.
About Samsung's Information Technology Division
Samsung's Information Technology Division (ITD), located in Irvine, California, is a division of Samsung Electronics America, Inc. (SEA), a U.S. subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Company, Ltd. (SEC). ITD markets a complete line of award-winning LCD and PDP display products, color and monochrome laser printers, fax machines and multifunction devices for professional, corporate and SOHO users. ITD also markets large-screen plasma displays designed specifically for the professional and commercial markets. Please visit www.samsung.com for more information.
About Samsung Electronics
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., is a global leader in semiconductor, telecommunication, digital media and digital convergence technologies with 2005 parent company sales of US$56.7 billion and net income of US$7.5 billion. Employing approximately 128,000 people in over 120 offices in 57 countries, the company consists of five main business units: Digital Appliance Business, Digital Media Business, LCD Business, Semiconductor Business and Telecommunication Network Business. Recognized as one of the fastest growing global brands, Samsung Electronics is a leading producer of digital TVs, memory chips, mobile phones, and TFT-LCDs. For more information, please visit www.samsung.com.
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