Handheld Windows device debuts online next week

The first Microsoft Origami tablet PC will go on sale for $1,099 next Monday in the US on Best Buy's website.

Samsung debuted the Q1 device yesterday, which features Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, a 7-in screen, an Intel Celeron processor, 512MB of memory and three and a half hours battery life.

As well as a travel holder that has a built-in keyboard, users will also be able to type using the onscreen keyboard.

Samsung and Microsoft have been pushing the first ultra-mobile Origami device following appearances at March's CeBIT trade show and in a recent series of speeches given by Bill Gates.

Following the initial online sales on 7 May, Best Buy will then sell the tablet PC in its high street shops. The item will be sold in the UK, France, Germany and China later this month.

Industry analyst In-Stat has predicted that 7.8 million ultra-mobile PCs will ship by 2011.