BUYER'S GUIDE: PCs

BY MICHAEL ANTONIAK

Computer match

As a business investment, a computer warrants the same scrutiny as a car. The right computer can help drive your productivity for years. And like your wheels, the computer you choose reveals much about your style and work habits. A desktop system makes the most sense for those who work out of a single office and don’t need access to all their data when visiting buyers and sellers. Those who want an electronic organizer and e-mail access in the field can combine the system with a PDA.

A notebook enables seamless functionality between home, office, and anywhere in between. Tablet PCs combine that mobility with a more convenient user interface. Enter text and data in your handwriting, and control all functions, with an electronic pen on a touch-sensitive screen.

If you like the features of more than one type of PC, consider hybrid solutions. Plugged into an optional docking station, some notebooks convert into a desktop system in the office, then slip out for use as a portable. Convertible tablets let users flip the screen to switch from tablet to notebook mode with a full-function keyboard.

Once you decide on a type of PC, take a hard look at your available budget. The more you can spend, the more options you have and the longer the useful life of the system. Prices on the newest desktop systems and notebooks start at less than $1,000. Tablets are still more than $1,000.

Points of comparison include the screen size, processor speed, amount of memory, hard drive capacity, type of optical drive (CD-RW, DVD, CD-ROM), ports for connecting peripherals, and network support. With notebooks, sample the keyboard design and the implement that lets you move your cursor. Try a Tablet PC before committing to pen-based computing. For any portable solution, weight and battery life also matter.

There’s a lot to investigate when it comes to computers, but few tech purchases deliver as much in practical benefits.

Essential extras
No matter what computer system you choose, you’ll need to purchase a few extras to make it fully productive and to protect your investment.

Security. If the system doesn’t come bundled with security software to protect against viruses, spam, and spyware, such software should top your list of add-ons. You can buy software for each or buy a security software suite.

Several notebooks and tablets now include biometric fingerprint readers to prevent against unauthorized access. If yours doesn’t, USB fingerprint readers add the same protection. Mobile equipment users should also consider security cables or alarms to deter theft, as well as tracking software to recover lost or stolen units.

Productivity software. The move to a new operating system may require newer versions of productivity software or specialized real estate applications. These can add substantially to the cost of your system. Before you buy your next PC, check with software vendors about compatibility with the OS and upgrades.

More memory. You can never have enough. To boost performance, increase RAM when you buy the system or have additional RAM installed later. Some vendors insist that an authorized service center install extra memory. So before you do it yourself, make sure that won’t void the warranty.
Backup solution. A CD-RW or DVD-RW drive provides a cost-effective backup solution as long as you regularly burn those discs. An auxiliary hard drive, with software to copy files automatically, ensures that your data is always secure.

Portable storage. If your “next” computer is actually a second computer, you’ll want the ability to move information easily from one system to another. USB flash drives and compact hard drives both offer economical solutions.

Extended warranty. If the system comes with a one-year warranty, invest in the vendor’s extended warranty program. Three-year protection guarantees your investment for the useful life of most new computer systems.

Desktop Systems

RB Partner Dx5150 Microtower $648 Hewlett-Packard, www.hp.com/go/nar, 800/888-8177. Budget-priced business system with compact tower design. Windows XP Professional OS. AMD Athlon 64 3000+ processor, 256MB RAM, 40GB hard drive, and CD-ROM drive. Three years parts/labor/onsite support. Quoted price includes optional 17-inch CRT monitor. Other monitors available.

RB Partner FX400X $1,299 Gateway Computer, www.esource.gateway.com, 800/207-7580, code #BSTM20302. Features new dual-core processor (two processors for faster speed). Windows XP Home OS; XP Professional optional. Pentium 4820 processor, 1,024MB RAM, 250GB hard drive, and DVD-RW drive. 17-inch LCD flat-screen monitor. Seven expansion bays, five PCI card expansion slots. Three-year warranty.

RB Partner Dimension 5150 $1,308 Dell Computer, www.dell.com/smb/nar, 877/648-3355. Mid-range business system for home or office. Windows XP Media Center OS. 2.8GHz Pentium 4 processor, 512MB RAM, 160GB hard drive, and DVD-RW optical drive. Ethernet NIC (network interface card). 9-in-1 media card reader. 17-inch monitor. Three-year warranty.

ClientPro 414 All-in-One Desktop $1,849 MPC Corp., www.mpccorp.com, 800/438-3343. Compact system with hard-drive components in same housing as LCD display. Windows XP Professional OS. Pentium 4 2.8GHz processor, 256MB RAM, 40GB hard drive, 1.44MB floppy disk drive, and CD-ROM drive. 17-inch LCD monitor. Six USB ports. PCI card slot and two mini-PCI sockets. Ethernet. Internal Wi-Fi antenna. Three-year warranty.

Notebooks

TravelMate 4020 (Model 4021WLCi) $899 Acer America Corp., www.acer.com/, 800/733-2237. Value-priced, feature-rich mobile system. Windows XP Professional OS. 1.6GHz Pentium M processor, 512MB RAM, 60GB hard drive, and CD-RW/DVD drive. 15.4-inch LCD display. Built-in modem. Three USB ports. Ethernet and 802.11g/b wireless network support. 6.5 pounds.

VAIO VGN-BX540B $1,300 Sony Electronics, www.sony.com/vaiobx, 888/315-7669. Basic configuration with modular multifunction bay. Windows XP Professional OS. 1.5GHz Celeron processor, 256MB RAM, 40GB hard drive, and CD-RW/DVD drive. Internal modem. Bluetooth and 802.11b/g wireless. Expansion bay can accommodate larger hard drive or DVD-RW drive. Biometric fingerprint reader. Optional docking station/battery charger. 5.07 pounds.

RB Partner Inspiron 700m $1,359 Dell Computer, www.dell.com/smb/nar, 877/648-3355. Mid-range configuration. Windows XP Professional OS. 1.7GHz Pentium M processor, 512MB RAM, 60GB hard drive, and CD-R/DVD drive. 12.1-inch display. 802.11b/g Wi-Fi. Security and office productivity software. Three-year warranty.

Satellite A75 S213 $1,449 Toshiba America Information Systems, www.tais.com, 800/867-4422. Desktop replacement system. Windows XP Home OS. 3.33GHz Pentium 4 processor, 1,024MB RAM, 100GB hard drive, and DVD-R drive. Three USB ports. 802.11g/b and Ethernet network support. 7.98 pounds.

PowerBook G4 (Model M9689LL/A) $2,699 Apple Computer, www.apple.com/powerbook, 800/692-7753. Top-of-the-line model among Apple’s business notebooks. Mac OS X 10.4 OS. 1.67GHz PowerPC G4 processor, 512MB RAM, 100GB hard drive, and DVD-RW/CD-RW drive. 17-inch wide-screen LCD display. Built-in modem. Full-sized illuminated keyboard. AirPort 802.11g/b Wi-Fi and Ethernet network support. One FireWire port, two USB ports. PC card slot. 6.9 pounds.

Tablet PCS

RB Partner S-7200C $1,359.99 Gateway Computer, www.esource.gateway.com/nar, 800/207-7580. Convertible notebook/Tablet PC. Windows XP Tablet PC OS. 1.73GHz Centrino Pentium M processor, 512MB RAM, and 40GB hard drive. 14-inch wide-screen touch-sensitive LCD display. Full-sized keyboard. Modular bay for optical drives, expanded hard drive, or optional extra battery. Integrated modem. Ethernet and 802.11a/b/g Wi-Fi networking. Three USB ports, 7-in-1 media card reader. Includes suite of security software. 6.17 pounds.

RB Partner ThinkPad X41 Tablet $1,899 Lenovo, www.ibm.com/businesscenter/nar, 800/426-7235, ext. 3887. Lightweight, convertible Centrino tablet. Windows XP Tablet PC OS. 1.5GHz Pentium M processor, 512MB RAM, and 40GB hard drive. 12-inch touch-sensitive rotating LCD screen. 802.11a/b/g wireless networking. Fingerprint reader. Standard battery life up to 6.3 hours. Optional docking station. Three-year warranty. 3.5 pounds.

LE 1600 Tablet PC $2,199 Motion Computing, www.motioncomputing.com, 866/682-2538. Lightweight Tablet PC with extended battery life. Windows XP Tablet PC OS. 1.5GHz Pentium M processor, 512MB RAM, and 30GB hard drive. 12.1-inch LCD display. Ethernet and 802.11a/b/g networking. Standard and optional extended batteries. Fingerprint reader. Optional convertible keyboard docking station lets unit function as notebook. 3.13 pounds.

REDTablet Gold $3,409 VREO Inc., www.vreo.com, 866/266-4241. Hardware/software solution for real estate. Windows XP Tablet PC OS. 1.5GHz Centrino Pentium M processor, 512MB RAM, and 30GB hard drive. 12.1-inch LCD display. REDTablet real estate productivity suite. Fingerprint reader. 802.11b/g wireless, IrDA, and Bluetooth wireless support. External USB keyboard and CD-DVD-RW optical drive. Wireless aircard for Internet connection over Cingular, Sprint, or T-Mobile networks. About 3.13 pounds.

Note: Systems come with a standard one-year warranty unless a three-year warranty is indicated. 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 services and isn’t responsible for changes in company info.

Voices of experience

Kathi Frank, ABR®, PMN
salesperson, RE/MAX The Woodlands & Spring, The Woodlands, Texas
“Most of us in real estate don’t need cutting-edge technology,” says Frank. “I’ve saved as much as 40 percent by buying a system that’s one or two years old, and I still have all the features and performance I need.” That strategy guided her to a Dell Dimension Desktop System with a flat-screen monitor for about $600 and a $1,000 Compaq Presario 2500 notebook within the last year. “I really shopped around and got just what I needed within my budget,” she says.

Peter Scott
salesperson, Better Homes NJ/VRI, REALTORS®, Wayne, N.J.
Three years ago Scott purchased what was then a $2,500 top-of-the-line, fully loaded IBM ThinkPad A31. He sees no need to trade up in the foreseeable future. “The two key things for real estate are the size of the screen, because we tend to run so many programs at once, and the amount of memory,” he says. “If you skimp on memory, you’ll quickly outgrow the system. Today you need a minimum of 512MB of RAM. But you’ll be better off with a gigabyte.”

Lance Evans, RCE, e-PRO®
association executive, Jefferson-Lewis Board of REALTORS®, Watertown, N.Y., and St. Lawrence County Board of REALTORS®, Canton, N.Y.
With many meetings to attend and notes to take, Evans selected the Acer TravelMate C-300 as his mobile computer. This convertible unit switches easily between its notebook and tablet modes. “I take notes by writing on the screen with the electronic pen. Later, when I want to create a report, I use the PC as a regular notebook, cutting and pasting and adding to my notes by typing on the keyboard.”

Learn about REALTOR Benefits(sm) Program offers at REALTOR.org/realtorbenefits.

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