If it's like the iron I saw at our state fair, it is somewhat self propelled, and when you stop ironing it automatically pops up, or if it's knocked over it pops up when turned onso it doesn't burn your fabric.
I can understand those who have a light weight iron for arthristis but I really like my heavier iron, I don't have to press down to get that crisp seam. I also sew formals getting a seam to press as flat and crisp as possible is important - well at least to me. My current iron is from Shark (like my steam mop which I totally love and recommend to everyone). I purchased it from Wal-mart it was about $40. It replaced my Rowenta which we really loved and had used until it was needing replacement.