instead of a laptop

[cdw]

Instead of a laptop which I can ill afford at this time, I was thinking I would get a blackberry or a palm pilot or something.... I need to be able to get listings on the road and can either down load them off the computer daily or what else is there, down loading in real time? hehheh..this should be fun.
Anyway...what do you guys suggest?
I don't really need it for email and stuff, just notes and getting listings.

:) Come on now...no jokes. I have no sense of humor, you all know that and yet you persist. Put a dime on it, sheesh.
rofl

[Techie2000]

What format are these listings in?

[Stiofán]

You know, for a decent offering in a handheld, a laptop will run you no more. You can get then for as little as about $450 now if you shop around. I have a Palm 515, and I'll probably never update it as it just doesn't do enough without adding more expensive hardware to it. A real nice handheld that will let you get online will cost $500 or so anyway. Just my opinion.

[cmhbob]

I have a Palm m515 as well. It has 8 meg on board, and I have a 128 SD card in there too. I love it. You can get a modem for it, tie that to your cell phone, and surf that way, if you really need live data. Of course, if you really need live data, is there someone else in your office who could look it up? Or, there are SDIO cards available now, that go into your SD card slot, and are 802.11 compatible.

Plus, there's a boatload of software out there for RE agents:
http://www.palmgear.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=software.answernew&PartnerREF=&siteid=1&keyword=real%20estate

This one in particular looks interesting: http://www.palmgear.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=software.showsoftware&PartnerREF=&siteid=1&prodID=40263

Here's the Palm site: http://www.palmone.com/us/

[cdw]

where can i get a laptop that cheap? Unused?
All i need this thing for it to be able to access my mls listings. I already have a phone and a camera. I can utilize act if I have to and update act on the home computer and visa versa. I don't need to do email on the road...that's what the phone is for...I can call. And my office and home aren't so far from each other. I just need to be able to pull up listings while on the road or at someone's house to show comps. Or, if I'm out with a client and we pass a house that is for sale but it's not a listing I pulled up, I can access it then. I looked at the handhelds and it seems I have to buy the unit, then buy software, and then pay for an astromonical phone plan. I'm trying to stay as cheaply as I can. I was thinking that if I can get a handheld, download mls into it and act for contacts, update it nightly or whatever, that would work..it's small, compact, etc. I don't need internet access at that point. So, really either would do, I guess as long as I'm not paying extra to access the internet or send emails.
Gee, this should be fun because I have NO CLUE what I need, lol and there is NO ONE in my office that uses a handheld... I just don't want to be lugging all this extra stuff around all the time.
Although..on a handheld, i wouldn't be able to see the listing all that well.
Ok, where can I get a cheap but very reliable, functional smaller lightweight laptop?

Edit: damn, this is confusing! :)

[Domh]

Im sorry - listings of what?

[cdw]

house listings... multiple listing service..mls. I need to down load the program into the laptop or handheld and update it daily. I don't know what the format is, it's a program, lol, that is provided by my multiple listing service in our county.

I don't see any laptops as cheap as Stiofan said they could be had for.

[MorWired]

Im sorry - listings of what?If I'm not mistaken, real estate.

Personally, I'd also go for the laptop.

I had a PDA that died a while back, and had hoped to replace it with a Pocket PC (another option for you), but received a very nice PDA for Christmas, so I'm "making due" ;), but all things being equal, a laptop gives you much more versatility, especially if there might be occasions when you'd show things (pics, specs, financial options) to clients -- a laptop screen lends itself beautifully to that.

Earlier this week my very ancient laptop died (at least parts of it did, I'm still hoping to ressurect it), but I had long ago determined that for my purposes I don't need the latest and greatest (it's just what I use to surf from my bedroom), all it needs is the very basics (what I've got now is only a PII-600 I think, so pretty much anything would be an improvement.

I understand the reluctance against anything used, but if you go through something reputable you shouldn't be getting a dud, and the price could make it well worth it.

A Pocket PC would do more of what you're after, but the price point is right there with a lower end laptop, so I'd still vote for that for your purposes.

[cdw]

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ThirdCategoryList.jsp?SecondCategoryCode=0304

see, something like this, I could afford...can it do what I need to do?
I can hook it up and down load the program I need? Is it slow as molassas?
Where would I get a good used laptop that isn't slow, isn't heavy?
I've been looking but I have no clue who to purchase from, especially a used one. And the ones I've seen, even those are over $500...
The only thing buggin me with the pocket pc is the little screen, but I guess I could handle it. But, I saw one where you can write on it and it types it up...I think, lol. That would be great for on the run and taking notes...no more scraps of paper. I wonder if it would work with act/realtor pro software. And would I overload it??
Like I said, I don't need email on it, I don't need to be doing any kind of excel, just realtor pro/act (contact software) and the mls and be able to make notes. Hmmm. decisions/decisions... now, if i could get a pocket pc, with my phone in it, not having to get some sort of expensive phone plan, that would work. oh, wait, cheap too, lol. Sucks not having the bucks to pay for something.

[Domh]

If I were in real estate I would buy one of these in a heartbeat. I had one for a couple weeks to test it out - stellar unit.

Garmin Ique M5.

http://www.garmin.com/products/iQueM5/

The thing is basically built for on the road realtors.

[Coot]

Here cyd, check out these refurbs (http://www.notebookmall.com/).

[ShinyTop]

Cyd, Dell has brand new laptops as low as 637 before shipping. The extra above a handheld gives you much more value for your money, IMHO.

[cdw]

Ok, I guess I'm going to have to bite the bullet and go for something a little more expensive than I wanted to go. Actually, I think I'm going to walk into an electronics store and find out what all these different things do...what I need and once I buy them, what it's going to cost...especially if I go with something with a phone integrated into it. I am NOT going to pay rediculous phone bills. That much I'm sure of, lol.

Thanks much to everyone. I really want one of those nifty phone/computer type things but...I guess I should remain forever "practical". Shit. rofl

[MorWired]

I just came across this banner ad for Buy.com saying "Notebooks as low as $499*" (note the dreaded asterisk). I make it a policy not to follow ad links (so I'm not sure about the deal), but copied the addy for you in any case. :)

Annoying doubleclick link that blows the margins :O). (http://ad.doubleclick.net/click%3Bh=v3|3225|3|0|%2a|k%3B14190287%3B0-0%3B0%3B5850957%3B933-120|600%3B9006241|9024137|1%3Bu%3D-2|2%3B%7Esscs%3D%3fhttp://clk.atdmt.com/go/dltmcbb50320000114ave/direct;wi.120;hi.600;ai.6052586;ct.1/01)

Maybe you could try Buy.com directly.

[cdw]

heheh...my computer won't let me go there. must be a link that one of my programs decided was a 'baddie'. I'm going to just try going to buy.com and see if that works. Thanks!.

[Stiofán]

I was thinking a reburbished laptop from Dell or Gateway. Still, if you want a new one, there's one soon to be at your local WalMart. (http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1558,1761533,00.asp)

[cdw]

I found this one, Toshiba Satellite M35X-S111 for 500.00, new.
I won't be able to buy for a couple of weeks when I have a check or two come in. In the meantime I am going to go and check out the handhelds and see what they have to offer and if it would be plausible. I think the best bet will be the laptop though. Can't wait!
What a life saver it will be. I'm not really in the office too much and getting lots of phone calls while I'm on the road.

[Stiofán]

Just a heads up if you have not bought anything yet. Office Depot is offering on 3/6 - 3/8 a Compac laptop with 15 screen, AMD Athlon 2800+, 40G HD, 256 DDR mem, 8x DVD-ROM, and Win XP Home for $399.00 (after rebate). Upgrade the processor to AMD Athlon 64 3000+ for $85 and upgrade the ram to 512 for $65.
Available in store only.

For these top of the line features this is an awesome deal. I may break down and get one myself.

[cdw]

oooh! Thanks for the heads up! :)

[Stiofán]

Looks like it's nationwide. Here's the website circular http://officedepot.crossmediaservices.com/officedepot/circular_browse_page_large.asp?storeid=2279883&rapid=120024&pagenumber=1&clicksrc=01&

[Misu]

Hey Cyd

If your cellphone plan includes internet access (if you have SprincePCS, the service is called Vision - if you have tmobile, it's called Tzones) and your phone accepts data connections, you can simply buy a data cable for your phone then hook the phone up to the laptop and you'd have wireless internet access. Many of today's newer phones allow you to use them as a modem, and if you have internet access on your cell phone, you can have wireless access on your laptop for no added cost except for the cost of the cable, which most of the time you can get for 10 bucks, depending on the model of phone you have.

www.3gcables.com is a site you can get these cables from.

[cdw]

I have cingular and can access the web on my phone...I haven't done it though...doesn't it cost a fortune? I'm trying to budget myself for the different things I need to do. The next is advertising in print...be it direct to client's/potential client's homes or in newspapers. I'm doing sales but not enough to cover that, home bills, new equipment and heavy phone bills too. This stuff ain't easy, lol.
My position on yahoo and msn for certain terms is very good...but on google I'm sucking wind, so I'm still working on improving that, which also costs money. I guess, though, in a pinch, it would work... thanks for the suggestion!

[Biker]

You have a finite limit as far as what you can download, and then they'll nail you for usage charges. If you stay strictly with your phone and use just it to access, you're fine. But the instant you use it to connect via your notebook, you run the risk of some really healthy charges for over usage.

[cdw]

Ok, I finally closed on a couple of houses and can spring for a laptop.
I figure I'll go with that....I can do presentations on it. And if at an open house I can bring up listings and people will be able to see them. A benefit for sure. :)
So...if you see any great deals like the one you posted for last month, please let me know. I appreciate it!

[deltat2000]

Try http://www.itxchange.com, (http://www.itxchange.com,/) or if you want something new check out http://www.ibm.com (http://www.ibm.com/)

im me if your interested. :cool:

Here is a list of available laptops that meet your budget.


http://www.itxchange.com/itxchange/find.asp?find%5Fcategory=02%2E1&find%5Fdescription=Notebooks+%2D+P3&find%5Fpart%5Fdesc=&search=simple


I have bought alot of equip from these people and know them to be very reliable.

My latest purchase from them was for a P4 Thinkcenter M50 3.6ghz, 512 g , 40 gig hd, 128 meg nvidia , sound keyboard, mouse, win xp pro, with a 17in. NEC lcd monitor with built in speakers...cost 710.00 us....shipped! Opps...forgot the dvd and cdrw drives.

The M50 still has 16 months of warranty left on it!

[cdw]

Ok, I finally broke down and bought something.
I got this: Acer Aspire 3002LCi
for $650, new, w/the shipping and tax included.
It should be just fine...seemed to have more than I was seeing in the same price range unless it was a refurb.
God, I hate spending money, lol.

[cdw]

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! My new laptop arrived today...early...it's beautiful and now I have to learn how to use it. rofl rofl
Wheeeeeeeeheeeeeeeeeee!

[ethics]

Congrats on your purchase. :)

[cdw]

Thank you. I'm pleased with how this deal has gone so far. I worry buying such a large purchase online and something that I'm not all that sure about to begin with. But, so far so good..it powers up, lol.
The manager of the new brokerage that I joined has all kinds of programs and knowlege about these things so he'll show me the ropes. And tell me what I need at home too. Should be pretty cool to just pull this thing out, open it up, and work as if I'm here. I LIKE it!
After this, next comes my little handheld with the gps in it. I figure I should have that by Christmas.

[cdw]

Things are going well with my new "little machine" but I gotta say... I miss my mouse. The keys are a little off from my home keyboard so I'm kind of typing like Fiona. rofl
But, I LOVE it. Should have bought one ages ago. :)