Motorola MC55 Rugged Smartphone Comments

The problem with a device such as this is the cost. Is it really worth more than 4 times the cost of a similar non rugged device?
Unless you work in a warehouse or deliver parcels its attraction is limited. An average field service engineer that might use such a device is no more likely to break a standard device when carried in a suitable leather case! Even if they do your can buy a fair few replacements! Lets be honest you can't fit these rugged devices in you pocket or on a belt as they are just too big and heavy, so they get carried around in your hand and are therefore exposed to more damage and need to be rugged! In other words their size generates their need to be rugged!

The only reason this device can be sold is there are many managers out there who feel staff can't be trusted with a normal PDA! They will also have in their minds the British need to differentiate what the sales and managers have over the rest of the 'lower grade' staff!

The only useful feature is the laser barcode scanner but unless this is extensively used a suitable software barcode solution using most PDAs built in cameras would be as good. Alternately the use of an external bluetooth barcode scanner and a standard PDA would be as good.

It could be useful if it was completely waterproof, less expensive and not Motorola :) Military specifications, not children's toys.