Blog:: Craig Pringle

The LS800 is my favorite ever and now only computer. I run Vista Ultimate on it after upgrading it myself, but the screen resolution and graphics chip are not quite what I need to get full benefit out of my machine. I had an LE 1600 for work and it was great, but I carry the LS800 in my purse everywhere I go. If I ever needed a bigger screen I could attach a bigger monitor (although screen resolution creates a problem there) but I never do. The same thing applies to using a keyboard which I never do either (except to reformat)

Every where I go people ask me where can they get a computer like mine. I tell them about Motion Computing and their current products, but most people say they don't want a 12" screen, they prefer the portability of the LS800, especially after they understand what it can do (when I show them). It always makes an impression when I pull my computer out of my purse. I made a simple suede case for my LS800 that easily fits in my purse and it goes EVERYWHERE with me. I use my computer all day at work, when I do volunteer work, to take notes at seminars and for my Spanish lessons.

I am a 53 year old woman in the US - not the usual tech geek, just someone who appreciates good, practical design. There are lots of people who would love the LS800 form factor if they could only be exposed to it, see and touch it, and spend some hands on time with it. I know marketing is a problem with tablets.

I think the Tupperware business model would be perfect to adapt for the tablet pc. Motion could have road shows at the electronic stores with tablet pcs for people to use on site. Tupperware used home parties to introduce a product people had never seen before. It was fun. People got to see how cool the product was and why their lives would be better if they could have this product. Motion could have Tablet PC ambassadors of all ages to show their peers how great the slate tablet is. Who wants to lug a big ol' laptop around when you don't need one? Not me. Not lots of people. So I guess I am begging Motion to continue the LS800 from factor with a VISTA style hardware upgrade and increase the screen resolution. Thanks for listening. Cathy

If you don't mind putting a CEO on the spot, I would GREATLY appreciate it if you could ask him how Motion has the gall to state "up to three hours" for battery life on an LE1700. I started my TabletPC "ownership experience" with an LE1700, to the tune of over $3200. I waited five years for the technology--and my income--to mature. My hopes for field use at work were quickly dashed when, to my tremendous ire, I discovered that Motion's engineers must not be able to measure time correctly. I might just GIVE someone that overpriced paperweight if I manage to squeeze 2.999 hours from it. When I politely inquired (i.e. not in the tone of this comment) via email about expected battery life (to ask if there was a run-in period on the battery), the response was terse--and unhelpful. My LE1700 also shipped with malfunctioning software which required me to download and reinstall programs during my first week of ownership. I have spoken with resellers who have openly agreed with me about the battery life issue. Because Motion Computing uses reseller channels, they have effectively insulated themselves from "little guy" consumers such as me. I have nearly given up on Motion at this point, but cannot write them off completely until I ditch my LE1700 for a superior product (like a pad of paper and a pencil).

That few TPC forums even mention Motion Computing products should be a fairly strong indicator of a short future. Of the four slates I've ever seen in real-world use, three were Fujitsu and one was an industrial TPC (make unknown).

I realize you likely won't feel comfortable posing this question to Mr. Eckert, but thanks for giving me the chance to make the request nevertheless. I really had major hopes for this TPC, and might have had a chance to pitch the efficiency gains to my supervisors.

I could've lived with short battery life, and was planning to shell out another $230 for an extended battery. Not anymore. The poor customer support was the last straw.

Hey Craig... if you could sneak it in, try to ask Scott if/when we can expect 64-bit driver/app support for the LE1700?

Cheers,

- Matt