Randy sent me this, which I am simply re-posting. This means that if you disagree, then flame him. If you agree, then just assume that I taught him everything he knows - LOL.
RS
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Well, you know the old saying:
"Good, cheap, fast. Pick two."
Actually, today, we have pretty reliable and decent performing hardware at reasonable prices. Of course, they never seem to fulfill ALL requirements, especially when you throw in the price thing. Yet, we see appraisers spending more than they say they were initially budgeting AND getting stuff that doesn't exactly fill the bill when it comes to mobile inspections, etc. We see this when they order phones, PDA's, and laptops. It seems that many people get all wrapped up when they visit the local computer shop and become determined to not leave without something... :-\ Then, when they discover that they can't see the screen well enough outside, or that "6 lbs is not THAT heavy" really IS that heavy, they decide that mobile is just not "here" yet... It's a shame because if more people would get past the "price" thing and consider "value", more people would be able to take advantage of currently available equipment to make more money now.
Sure, equipment will get lighter, somewhat less expensive, and overall better suited to the needs of most appraisers over time. That is generally accepted, I think. The trick that a lot of people miss is that if you pick the right equipment, make whatever changes are prudent in your habits, etc., some of today's technology can make you more money right now. We see this happening right now in other (related) market areas we are in. We even see fee appraisers using less-than-optimal equipment and profiting by their adaptive uses. But then, mostly, we see users waiting for the perfect device. We all know that will never be. It will always be a matter of the next generation being lighter, faster, less expensive... whatever. Meanwhile, there are those who are able to select the right combination of hardware & software to propel themselves into a competitive advantage situation.
I believe that if more appraisers would get past the "price" thing (barrier - i.e. making that the primary consideration) and look more to "value" - that is, the ROI type viewpoint - they would find that they CAN get into mobile NOW, AND make it profitable. I believe that they will make more than their initial costs and find that it pays them back faster than they might suspect. The "trick" is to get the right stuff in the first place. If someone gets something that doesn't work in the intended environment, of course they are doomed to fail. But it's not the equipment's fault - the equipment didn't force the appraiser to buy it. It was the appraiser who failed to use the right tool for the job.
Consider this to start... Get over the $2K entry barrier. Just forget it for now. I'm not saying appropriate stuff won't get there and below, but for now, just forget the $2K barrier. I estimate that a decent tablet in what I refer to as "typical appraiser trim" is going to run in the $2,500 range. That won't get you an ultra-rugged, drop damage-resistant or inclement weather treated unit - those are still in the $3,500+ range (plus they are bulkier, a negative to most users.) Now, if a $2,500 investment WILL do the job where a $1,500 device will fail, is the $1,000 "savings" worth it? Of course not!
I read posts all the time where an appraiser decides their next computer should be a laptop. They feel that they need to be more mobile (not necessarily "go mobile") and they observe that as long as they are getting a new machine ANYway, maybe they should get a honkin' fast laptop instead of a new desktop machine. I can't say that this is necessarily a bad thing - we see it all the time in our various markets. Where I think our FEE APPRAISERS could do better is to perhaps spend their money more wisely. Instead of ordering a hot rod, "desktop replacement" laptop, get a decent Tablet instead. If their desktop machine is feeling a bit long-in-th-tooth, spiff it up with more RAM, faster hard drives, and for goodness' sake - A GOOD MONITOR OR TWO. Use the Tablet as a second, more mobile machine. Get a docking station, etc. The desktop type environment and the mobile environment have distinctively different factors. Trying to find a "one size fits all" thing will involve compromises - sometimes so many that we end up with the "does a poor job of both" thing, and that should be avoided, IMHO.
As you know, we have tested a multitude of Tablet PC's for various environments - ranging from highly mobile to ultra rugged and secure. I think that at last count, in addition to the evaluation units, we now have about 20 or 25 Tablet PC's in use by our employees - i.e. stuff I bought for them to use because we find them to enhance productivity. Some are good for one type of user, some are better for others, but none of them are the perfect fit in every category for every user. I think you lean toward the Motion units, while others like the Flybook/P1510 types. Others like the various convertables... it varies with their environment and usage patterns.
From what we're getting back from users in the field, there are a few devices that float to the top for most appraisers/inspector types. The LE1600 is popular with those who like a larger slate, and that special case we got for Andy (we've ordered more, BTW) really kicks butt. I like the LS800 since at 2.2 lbs., it is so much lighter and easier to manage. I know you see our users' positive reaction when you pass some around in a class. It's too bad that the pictures just don't do it justice! Others really like the Fuji 4K job, but there are still those who regularly work in harsh environmental conditions who like the ruggedized units. They'd like a lighter, less bulky unit but I don't think the current Atigo is the right fit. Anyway, those people have learned long ago that they just have to spend the extra money for stuff that will last in their environment. For those who don't need an outdoor screen, the X41 is a great unit. Sheesh, we've bought enough of those we should get Jeff to see about us becoming a distributor - LOL.
OK, I've rambled on long enough on the current state of things. Perhaps you can find SOMEthing here to help you in responding. I think, though, that this topic is just getting traction in our user base and I am glad you've accelerated our seminar schedule, etc. I think we can provide a great service to our users (and even our competitors - LOL) by facilitating more "hands on" opportunities across the States. It really frustrates me to read of our customers being duped by dweeby sales people in the generic computer shops or by other "labs" spewing "facts" when we know they are just repeating stuff they've heard, or at best based on using one or two devices for a few days. Arrrrggghhh! Unfortunately, we aren't aggressive enough in trying to help our users make prudent decisions on this stuff. I know it's hard for them to just order something on-line, and we don't ever really try to sell equipment when on the road. I think we are doing our users a disservice in that regard. I think that most of the forum folks know our reputation and we should leverage that to advise them accordingly, without fear that we've somehow become "sales people."
We know that, except for "tweaks" in mostly current stuff, there are no real MAJOR changes coming to the Tablet side of things until the 2007/2008 time frame. We'll see incremental improvements along the way, but the BIG change will revolve around the UM2K7 initiative, so why aren't we advising our users more strongly now. We've seen plenty of examples of how today's stuff will allow them to make much more money than they spent. They way I look at it is to quit waiting for "the perfect Tablet." Get one that works, make money and then you'll HAVE the money when the next generation comes out. Heck, I've already tried to kick this off by releasing MSTT for FREE! What else can I do?
All this being said, let's not forget how useful the right PPC is. I think our US appraisers would be astounded to see how productive our overseas customers have become with the right hardware/software combo. With one exception, I am disappointed how the US forms companies have failed to put the resources into their software. Even there, we know it could be better, and I have high hopes that the next versions will really embrace WM5 - a lot of good can come from that and I think our hardcore PPC crowd is going to love that "special device" we got in from Darrell...
Again, sorry I went off on this - I probably got off track, too (big surprise - LOL.) I know that you already know most of this stuff. I'm just hoping to encourage you to be more proactive on this topic. Our users will thank you, I think. Let me know if you need any details or specifics. Just remember that some specific references aren't public yet and we have to honor our NDA's and that going off on unreleased stuff only confuses people. Remember the OQO fiasco. Let's look into having Jeff change up our web store and put together recommended packages for people and then point people there. Even if all we do is generate sales for other resellers, we've done the right thing for our customers when we help them not make a bad purchasing decision. I wish I had time to be able to counsel each and every appraiser, but I think the best we can do is to lay things out for them in simple format. Most of this stuff is confusing to them and it's easy for us to not take that into consideration. Heck, even I sometimes get confused! LOL.
-Randy-
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O' OK, Wow, that was very eloquent. Now I want to know what the new device is. 
