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Microsoft's mysterious Origami project once touted UMPCs (ultra-mobile personal computers) as the portable future of computer systems. That was back in early 2006, and I still can't think of anyone I know who actually owns one.

Since then, the almost-as-portable netbook market has grown rapidly, leaving UMPCs and MIDs (Linux-based mobile internet devices) firmly in its wake. So much so, that one new UMPC managed to go seemingly unnoticed at last week's Consumer Electronics Show in Vegas.

The device, Samsung's Q1EX pictured below by UMPCportal.com, is an evolution of the existing Q1 range. This time around, Samsung has dropped the thumb-point QWERTY keyboard in favour of a 7in touch screen.

Powering the system is VIA's 1.2GHz Nano processor, and there's ample connectivity options including Bluetooth, WiMAX and GPS. Battery life is rated at 4.5 hours but further details remain few and far between.

Arriving over two years after the first UMPCs hit the scene, the Samsung Q1EX doesn't appear to be a game-changing development. However, its biggest feature could turn out to be Microsoft's Windows 7 operating system - which Redmond continues to tell us will run on a 1GHz netbook. With built-in touch functionality, a 7in touch-capable portable could be just the right tool.

UMPCs still have an element of cool factor and though high prices have historically proven to be a stumbling point, 2009, we feel, could be the year in which ultra-mobile PCs finally take off.

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