I’m new to IPEN and RON and am interested in knowing your thoughts on the best laptop or tablet to purchase for doing in person electronic notarizations and/or remote online notarizations. I’ve heard good things about the Microsoft Surface Pro, but would prefer a device that’s a little larger than the standard tablet.
Also, have most of your signers preferred using a touchscreen and stylus to capture signatures during an IPEN rather than typing in a digital signature? Advice/recommendations would be so appreciated. Thanks.
As an experienced RON and IPEN provider (currently in Florida, but was commissioned in Kentucky and Ohio previously), I would ask you one important question before getting to what type of computer should you purchase. Do you have a steady stream of work available, or is this a new venture for you?
IPEN is a very specific and select service, in that many clients/lenders/businesses have moved away from it in our post COVID world. Companies that I was doing 10-20 a week for have all reverted back to paper, and returned their staff to the office, and eliminated staff working from home.
If you are new to the IPEN field and looking to build business, my suggestion would be to build your RON business 1st, and see just how much demand you actually have for IPEN. Myself and many of my fellow notaries that are in my area have seen the IPEN volume drop to a trickle.
For RON notarizations, make sure that any laptop you buy interfaces with the signing platform you are using. Most RON platforms have a list of general computer requirements on their website.
Thank you, Brucem1213 for taking the time to respond. It was just the information I needed from a notary with experience such as yours. Your response helped save me from making an expensive and probably unnecessary investment at this point. Thanks again for your insight!
You’re Welcome! 