Thinking About a New Computer for Your Real Estate Business? Some Issues to Consider

Upgrading your computer today means that you will probably have to learn a whole new operating system. The question is doing the upgrade and learning a new system worth the effort. In almost every case, an upgrade will take you time to learn, however, it will save you time in the long run.

From my perspective, the three primary options are these:

1.  Upgrade to a new PC with Windows Vista

2.  Upgrade to a tablet PC with XP or Vista

3.  Upgrade to the new Apple Power Book

Before making the decision, you also must consider what cell phone technology that you will be using. Whatever you select, should be totally integrated into computer system.

Since I'm in the market currently for a new machine, here are some of the pros and cons of each choice.

1. Upgrade to a new PC with Windows Vista--bad choice in my opinion. Rather than inventing a new platform, the folks at Microsoft elected to take the XP platform, which is a good, stable system, and load it up with a bunch of new applications. This now causes regular crashes and slows the system down substantially in many respects. Furthermore, the system is not "backward compatible" with previous Microsoft applications. Since Windows does not allow easy integration with other systems, you're pretty much stuck using Internet Explorer and Outlook.

2.  Upgrade to a Tablet PC, preferably with Windows XP. From what I understand, you can still obtain Windows Tablet PC programs. This is a great choice for active agents since it allows you to be completely mobile. Clients sign on your tablet and you can literally keep all of your files digitally. Tablets convert your handwriting into a Word Document plus providing an excellent digital record of every aspect of your transaction including when clients opened your email communications to them.

If you're considering a tablet PC, the question is whether you get one from Motion Computer, the only manufacturer who provides a detachable keyboard, or do you go with an attached keyboard from one of the other major manufacturers. The beauty of the detachable keyboard is that when you use the hand writing function, the weight of the machine is about 3 pounds. he portable keyboards aren't as durable and adding the keyboard makes it significantly heavier. (I'm on my 4th keyboard in 3 years and need to replace my current one since it lost a key.) A different challenge is that with the free standing tablet is that you have to plug in your CD-DVD as an external drive. The Motion docking station is cool for when you're at your desk. Just drop your machine in and go. For a review of the various tablets and to get your tablet software visit www.VREO.com. My tablet has functioned well with my Palm--easy synching and calendaring using the Palm software. It would probably be a poor choice if you want an iPhone. The Google Android would probably work well, but these phones are still so new it's hard to tell which manufacturer will have the best application.

3. Upgrade to the Mac Book Pro. I have really enjoyed my tablet, but I'm not actively using my handwriting function on a regular basis. I use the snipping function regularly and this is now available on both the MAC and PC. For me, I'll probably make the move to Apple. Apple has just recently released their latest software upgrade The system is stable like XP, but provides more functionality. Bootcamp is included (it lets you run Windows faster and more efficiently than any of the PC software.) It also integrates nicely with the iPhone.

My big objection to the iPhone was the inability to cut and paste links. Apple just released a new application that allows you to "share this." This is a simple way to share videos, podcasts, blog posts, etc. without having to cut and paste. I've watched my husband with his iPhone and it does some very cool things. The photos are almost as good as our regular digital camera. You also have the benefit of having an iPod as well. What appeals to me is that the system updates your hard disk, updates their backup system, and your iPhone simultaneously. Everything is in synch. The primary challenge you would experience relying on the iPhone would be potential lack of compatibility with your MLS lockbox functions.

It's probably tempting not to change if everything in your system is stable. Nevertheless, if your machine is more than 3 years old, it may be time to upgrade to something faster that can handle the video and social networking applications of tomorrow.

Posted by Bernice Ross, CEO, RealEstateCoach.com, the home of the most innovative and comprehenseive real estate sales coaching and real estate sales training in the world. Visit www.RealEstateDough.com to view what's new for 2009!

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Comments

[Simone St.Clare]

Bernice, I went throught the same comparisons at the beginning of this year. My Motion tablet was really slow and I didn't use the tablet functions enough to warrant getting another one. In May, I bought a MacBook Pro and couldn't be happier! It's very easy to switch from the Mac to Windows platform; so far, it's been the best of both worlds.

Dear Simone, Thank you for sharing your experience. I'm pretty close to deciding on the MacBook Pro. You helped me get a bit closer.