FWIW, the Q1 (and similar) have a 7" (diagonal) screen. Some of the more recent "UMPC" type devices are appearing with 4.8" - 5.6" screens. Pay attention to the resolutions quoted as the "dpi" affects how big (or small) things are on the screen.
The LS 800 has been discontinued and F5 is the closest thing available from Motion Computing. It weighs a little more and has a 10.4" screen.
FWIW, the P1610D is now replaced by the P1620 and is basically the same but with a faster, but more efficient (?) CPU. Depending on OS, RAM and other variables, it has a decent battery life and even with the extended battery, weighs much less than most smaller UMPC's, and all real Tablets. My P1610 is hooked up to their mini-dock and it has no problem running the native 8.9" screen AND an external 24" monitor @ 1920 x 1200 resolution. With a little add-on device, it easily runs two monitors at 1280 x 1024 for a total of 2560 x 1024...
The P1620 is a better machine than the P1610 but I have not upgraded mine as I am waiting for the next generation replacement. That is because I already HAVE a P1610 (and had the P1510 before)... If I still had the P1510, I WOULD trade up to the P1620 today. The P61xx family has a standard indoor/outdoor screen - something VERY unusual in a consumer device. I don't like the glossy treatment (prefer "matte" type screens) but it DOES work outdoors. I have not tried an anti-glare film personally (yet) since I also have many other Tablets that already have anti-glare indoor/outdoor screens. Starting at just under $2,100, the P1620 is a bit expensive compared to a regular UMPC (and some "real" Tablets) but it IS small and arguably more powerful than many appraisers' current desktop machines. With the mini-dock and some add-ons, it COULD be one's only computer. Worth exploring. A member here, John Hill, sells these and may give you advise on these...
All this said, if you think the Q1 is too pricey, the P16xx is out of range...
For a PPC, nothing beats the old HP hx4700/4705 IMHO. There are newer replacements available from HP now, but they cost more and for YOUR purposes, may not be any better. Some would argue that the new HP is a step backward over the 4700. We recently sold some of our excess units we found lying around in a storage closet for between $300 and $600 depending on condition and software installed, accessories, etc. If you can find a decent hx4700 or hx4705 (same unit, different SKU's for tracking purposes), I'd advise you get one over an AXIM. I have had many of both and have no axe to grind on this, LOL. The HP is and was simply better. The small (if any) difference in price between the HP and Dell is worth it IMHO. The dell had a 3.7" screen and the HP had a 4.0" screen that was also simply superior in view-ability, etc. Both were high resolution devices and this may make a difference to you if all you ever saw was a low resolution PPC. Let me know if you want me to post a screen shot comparing a sketch on a low resolution 3.5" screen vs. a 4.0" high resolution screen. The difference is dramatic.
There ARE Pocket PC's with 5" high resolution screens, but I have not been pleased with their "indoor-only" screens. Outdoor view-ability is a major thing to me - what good is something if you cannot see to use it when you are doing the outdoor portion of the inspection? YMMV, but I consider an acceptable level of outdoor "view-ability" a MUST...
You want to make an informed decision before doing any sort of cash outlay, especially considering the economic situation today. If you can get multi-use out of something and it fits the bill, all the better. For example, if you can get a "phone" that does enough, well enough - that is great. On the other hand, IF spending more actually means getting (enough) more done to more than offset the extra cost, you'd want to consider that, too. So, for some, the "phone" is the right way to go but for others, an all-in-one is a better route. Much like a printer, huh - some need dedicated b/w laser for most printing but use an ink jet for color and a dedicated fax machine. Others find that a nice all-in-one printer does a good enough job to warrant a few extra bucks. After all is said and done, it boils down to a "YMMV" thing, so do your research and do what works best for YOU.
Hope this helps! Let us know if you need more info on this type of thing. Post here or feel free to write me at the address below. Being a holiday weekend, I am "allowed" to sneak up an play on the Internet from time to time this weekend, LOL.
-Randall Garrett-
..Apex Software..
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