BUYER’S GUIDE: Wireless hardware

Before you buy
Voices of experience
Handhelds
Notebooks
Phones

BY MICHAEL ANTONIAK

Go unplugged

So entrenched is the wireless trend that most mobile hardware today ships with built-in wireless capability or offers it as a standard upgrade. If you’re shopping for your next notebook or personal digital assistant, it’s a safe bet you’ll want wireless connectivity at some point.

Among notebooks and PDAs, wireless networking requires Wi-Fi compatibility at the office and at hot spots at airports, Starbucks, hotels, and other locations. Another wireless option, Bluetooth, lets you link a computer and peripherals without wires within the same room.

A cell phone is the one piece of hardware just about every real estate practitioner requires. And most today want to move beyond the basics to service options, such as text messaging, e-mail capability, or wireless Web access.

Some cell phones today are really all-in-one mobile communicators, from personal communicators, such as the Danger Hiptop/T-Mobile Sidekick and Blackberry 7500 series, to PDA smartphones like the Treo 600 or Samsung’s new i500.

Test any multifunction device before you buy. You may find it awkward to use as a phone if PDA is its primary function. Or you may not like entering text on the small keypad or viewing the small screen.

Many practitioners overcome these disadvantages by carrying some combination of wireless hardware. Their handheld solution may get the most use, but when it’s time to compose a contract or letter, browse the Web, or make a presentation, they prefer the convenience of a notebook’s full-sized screen and keyboard. Built-in support for wireless networking is now a basic feature. In fact, PC-compatible Centrino notebooks automatically detect and connect to Wi-Fi hot spots.

Whatever you buy, keep in mind your primary need. Because the latest models share many features and functions, connectivity may require only one or two pieces of well-chosen hardware.

Before you buy

About to trade up your tech to take advantage of wireless? Think before you act, so you don’t spend more than you need or intend to.

Is wireless support already there? If your network doesn’t already support Wi-Fi, you’ll need a wireless router, at some expense to you or your broker. The same holds for Bluetooth. For working in the field, see if hot spots are conveniently located. For wireless voice and data services, check with service providers for coverage areas.

Is upgrading an option? You may be able to forego the expense of a new notebook or PDA by simply upgrading equipment you already own. Often Wi-Fi or Bluetooth capability can be added with expansion cards or adapters at a fraction of the cost of new hardware. Check with the manufacturer.

What are the hidden costs? Successfully implementing wireless entails more than buying hardware. There are associated service costs, such as pay-as-you-go fees based on time connected to a Wi-Fi server or the amount of data you send and receive with a handheld.

Voices of experience

Matt Murray, salesperson, Camelot Real Estate, Weston, Conn. Murray uses a GPS-powered Garmin iQue PDA to navigate his way through unfamiliar turf. When it’s time to log on to the Web, he pulls out his Sony VAIO notebook, equipped with an 802.11g Wi-Fi card. “I’m able to pull a signal just about anywhere I go now,” Murray says. He’s tapped into Wi-Fi connections, which are akin to radio signals, standing in the yard of an open house, at airports, and in hotels. He’s even pulled his car to the side of the road to retrieve MLS information. “It impresses customers,” he says.

Ron Pfeiffer, salesperson, Distinctive Realty Services–GMAC, Lancaster, Pa. A self-described minimalist, Pfeiffer has pared his mobile equipment down to the Blackberry 7510, which he purchased through Nextel. “I want to carry as little as possible to get the job done,” he says. The unit serves as his phone, e-mail messenger, and mobile Web browser. A subscriber to Web-based Top Producer 7i, he can retrieve contact and schedule information as needed. His Web site is set to automatically forward leads and e-mail to the handheld in real time. “People [trying to reach me] are using this technology, too,” he notes. “If they don’t receive a quick response, they might move on to someone else.”

Teri Isner, cips, crs®, broker-associate, Keller Williams Classic Realty—Windermere, Orlando, Fla. Isner uses Criterion’s RedTablet package as her mobile office. The package combines the Wi-Fi-enabled Motion Computing Tablet PC with software for managing communications, documents, contacts, and listing information. “Clients can sign contracts stored as PDFs on my tablet, and I can e-mail those to other salespeople,” she says.

Handhelds

Price doesn’t include monthly access or usage fees.

Danger Hiptop $299
(offered through T-Mobile as Sidekick), www.danger.com, 800/866-2453 (T-Mobile). Multifunction wireless communications handheld. Supports instant messaging, Web browsing, e-mail, and voice communications. Color screen slides away to reveal mini-QWERTY keyboard. Check with T-Mobile for local availability and rate plans.

Blackberry 7510 starts at $349
Research in Motion, www.blackberry.com, 519/888-7465. Multifunction wireless handheld, personal information manager, and cell phone. Supports always-on e-mail messaging, Web browsing, voice communications, and push-to-talk walkie-talkie system (when used over national Nextel network). Includes built-in speakerphone for hands-free calling, mini-thumb keypad for composing messages, backlit screen and keypad, and 16MB memory.

Axim X3i $349 (VIP Partner)
Dell Computer, www.dell.com, 800/999-3355. Windows Mobile OS PDA with integrated support for 802.11b Wi-Fi wireless networking. Built-in antenna, microphone, and speakers. Includes 400MHz processor, 64MB RAM, 3.5-inch touch-sensitive LCD screen, and secure digital (SD) expansion card slot for adding options, such as Bluetooth support.

Tungsten C $399
PalmOne, www.palmone.com, 888/223-4817. Palm OS PDA with built-in support for 802.11b Wi-Fi wireless networking. Includes 400MHz processor, 64MB RAM, color LCD screen, five-way navigation button for screen control, mini-QWERTY-style keypad, and SD expansion card slot for adding options, such as Bluetooth support.

IPAQ Pocket PC h5150 $549 (VIP Partner)
Hewlett Packard, www.hp.com/sbso, 800/888-0262. Windows Mobile PDA ships with Bluetooth compatibility. Easily installed optional Wi-Fi card. Includes 400MHz processor, 64MB RAM, 3.8-inch touch-sensitive LCD screen, expansion slot for PC, Compact Flash, and SD expansion cards.

Notebooks

MSRP prices are for systems as described here. When configuring a system, visit vendors’ Web site for options and pricing.

ThinkPad R51 $1,449 (VIP Partner)
IBM, www.ibm.com/thinkpad, 888/746-7426. “Performance” model of latest R series Centrino notebook with integrated support for 802.11b Wi-Fi wireless networking. Includes 1.4GHz Pentium Mobile processor, 256MB RAM, 40GB hard drive, 15-inch screen, and DVD/CD-RW optical drive.

Latitude 100L $1,619 (VIP Partner)
Dell Computer, www.dell.com, 800/999-3355. Centrino notebook. Integrated wireless options include 802.11b/g or 802.11a/b/g Wi-Fi support. 2.66GHz processor, 512MB RAM, 30GB hard drive, and 15-inch LCD screen.

M6809 $1,649 (VIP Partner)
Gateway Inc., www.gateway.com, 800/369-1409. eMachine notebook with built-in support for 802.11g Wi-Fi networking. Includes Mobile AMD Athlon 64 3200 processor, 512MB RAM, 80GB hard drive, 15.4-inch LCD screen, and 6-in-1 card reader.

nc4010 $1,685 (VIP Partner)
Hewlett Packard, www.hp.com/sbso, 800/888-0262. Ultra-compact 3.5-pound Centrino notebook with choice of integrated 802.11b, 802.11b/g wireless, or 802.11a/b/g. Mini PC (expansion) card. Includes 1.4GHz Pentium Mobile processor, 256MB RAM, 40GB hard drive, and 12.1-inch LCD screen. Bluetooth option.

Portégé M205 Tablet PC $2,499
Toshiba America Information Systems, www.toshiba.com, 800/867-4422. Centrino Tablet PC with integrated 802.11g Wi-Fi support. Includes 1.5GHz Pentium Mobile processor, 512MB RAM, 60GB hard drive, touch-sensitive 12.1-inch LCD screen, one type II PC card slot and one SD card slot, and two USB ports.

Phones

Price doesn’t include monthly access or usage fees.

i730 $299
Motorola USA (offered through Nextel, a VIPpartner), www.motorola.com, www.nextel.com, 877/619-5037 (for availability through Nextel). GPS-enabled phone with voice-activated dialing, speakerphone, text messaging, and push-to-talk walkie-talkie functions. Includes color LCD display, 600-contact phone book, and TeleNav software for turn-by-turn driving directions.

Nokia 6820 EDGE $349
Nokia USA (offered through AT&T Wireless), www.nokia.com, 888/256-2098, or www.attwireless.com, 877/882-5256. Cell phone with built-in support for Bluetooth connectivity, e-mail, short messaging, and digital camera. Phone can function as a wireless modem for PDAs and notebooks. Bluetooth allows data transfer to Bluetooth-enabled devices. Includes QWERTY-style mini-keyboard for composing text messages and e-mail. Check with AT&T Wireless for local availability.

Treo 600 $449
PalmOne, www.palmone.com, 888/565-9393. Palm OS smartphone combines PDA functions with voice/data communications capabilities. Includes personal information management, such as calendar; e-mail; text messaging; wireless Web access; built-in digital camera and QWERTY-style keypad; color screen; and SD expansion card slot for Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.

SPH-i500 $599
Samsung USA (available through Sprint PCS), www.samsungusa.com, 888/987-4357. Palm OS-compatible five-ounce multiband smartphone. Includes 66MHz processor, 16MB RAM, and touch-sensitive color LCD screen. Clamshell design features separate LCD screen and writing area for entering data with electronic stylus. Voice-activated dialing. Check for local availability.

Prices are the manufacturers’ suggested retail prices and are subject to change. This list isn’t comprehensive; NAR doesn’t evaluate or endorse these products and isn’t responsible for changes in company info.

VIP Partner

REALTOR VIP® Program partners offer special pricing to NAR members. Learn more at REALTOR.org/realtorVIP.

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